Panjabi

Punjabi, also spelled Panjabi, is an Indo-Aryan language spoken by the Punjabis in the Punjab region of South Asia, today divided between India and Pakistan. It is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, with speakers in the Indian state of Punjab, Pakistan’s Punjab province, and a large global diaspora. In India it is a scheduled language and the official language of Punjab; in Pakistan it is widely spoken but not a national official language.

Classification and dialects: Punjabi forms part of the Western Indo-Aryan language area. In Indian linguistic tradition the Majhi dialect serves as the basis of the standard form, while Doabi, Malwai, and Puadhi are common regional varieties. In Pakistan, many Western Punjabi varieties are grouped under Lahnda, with dialects such as Pothohari and Shahpuri.

Scripts: Punjabi is written in two main scripts. In India, Gurmukhi is used, standardized by Sikh scholars and used in most literature and media. In Pakistan, Shahmukhi, a Perso-Arabic script, is used.

Phonology and grammar: Punjabi has a rich consonant system with aspirated and retroflex sounds, a range of vowels, and a typical subject–object–verb word order with postpositions. Nouns have gender and number, and adjectives and verbs agree with them. The language exhibits a variety of dialects, some mutually intelligible and others less so.

Literature and status: Punjabi has a long literary and folk tradition, including classical poetry and modern prose. It remains central to education, media, and daily life in its heartland and in diaspora communities, and it serves as a marker of regional identity for Punjabis in both India and Pakistan.