Are we losing our Punjabi language?
My parents have always emphasized the importance of speaking Punjabi in our home. Their reasoning was that we would have the opportunity to learn English in our schools, but may never get the time to learn Punjabi again. My father was so passionate about creating an opportunity for children being raised in the West to be taught Punjabi, that he opened the first Punjabi School at the Gurdwara we attended in our town. I was grateful to my parents for sending me to the school, because it allowed me to communicate with my grandparents, and other elders who didn’t speak English, and maintain my relationships with them.
Often the older generation is heard saying our language, and thus an aspect of our heritage, is being lost on the present generation. There are many young people who attend Gurdwara but have no idea what is being said. We have Gutkas with English translations. We’ve become quite tech-savvy in our Gurdwara now too, where we have projectors displaying the English translations of Shabads. We watch Punjabi movies with english subtitles. In India, even Punjabis are speaking Hindi now.
Is it the responsibility of parents to teach their children or send them to Punjabi school to learn? Or is it an individual’s responsibility? Some people take the initiative to learn Punjabi on their own, either through courses available at University, or from the growing number of online courses.
How can we preserve the Punjabi language?
184 Responses to “Are we losing our Punjabi language?”
This is a very important topic and the responsibility first and foremost lies with the parents. If parents are willing to take it upon themselves to teach their children Punjabi they are able to set a precedent for the larger community. I also think it's the responsibility of our Sangat and the Gurduwaras to spend money on Punjabi schools and support their success by ensuring adequate resources. Like they say, it's take a village to raise a child. Speaking Punjabi has become "popular" amongst youth in certain communities, which I think is interesting but it doesn't necessarily mean we are preserving the language.
This is a very important topic and the responsibility first and foremost lies with the parents. If parents are willing to take it upon themselves to teach their children Punjabi they are able to set a precedent for the larger community. I also think it’s the responsibility of our Sangat and the Gurduwaras to spend money on Punjabi schools and support their success by ensuring adequate resources. Like they say, it’s take a village to raise a child. Speaking Punjabi has become “popular” amongst youth in certain communities, which I think is interesting but it doesn’t necessarily mean we are preserving the language.
Very timely post Anandica! My parents were like yours and my siblings and I still get in trouble for speaking English a home. But I think you ask a very important question – whose job is it.
I think there has to be a combination as Maestro suggests. Being Americans it is tough really immerse ourselves in the Punjabi language and so parents have to be vigilant in teaching their kids Punjabi and providing Punjabi speaking opportunities – that may includes making places like Gurdwara Sahibs "Punjabi Zones" and encouraging Punjabi there as a community.
Very timely post Anandica! My parents were like yours and my siblings and I still get in trouble for speaking English a home. But I think you ask a very important question – whose job is it.
I think there has to be a combination as Maestro suggests. Being Americans it is tough really immerse ourselves in the Punjabi language and so parents have to be vigilant in teaching their kids Punjabi and providing Punjabi speaking opportunities – that may includes making places like Gurdwara Sahibs “Punjabi Zones” and encouraging Punjabi there as a community.
The really unfortunate thing is the loss of idiomatic expressions. I mean, I speak and read grammatically correct Punjabi fairly well, and I can talk pehndu enough to get teased by my shehri peers, but my grandmother and one of my dad's coworkers–hooowee–they crack me up with their turns of phrase and I don't know who's going to keep that stuff alive.
The really unfortunate thing is the loss of idiomatic expressions. I mean, I speak and read grammatically correct Punjabi fairly well, and I can talk pehndu enough to get teased by my shehri peers, but my grandmother and one of my dad’s coworkers–hooowee–they crack me up with their turns of phrase and I don’t know who’s going to keep that stuff alive.
I completely agree with you Harbeer. I also can read and write Punjabi fairly well, as I was taught by a combination of Punjabi school and my grandmother. However, it was when I went through college that I was actually able to begin to understand more than just the formal words. I still have the same conversation with my parents today as they laugh about a Punjabi joke that has references that we do not know because we have not grown up in the time they have; but now instead of just brushing us off as to not being able to understand it we make them explain to us the context, reference, etc.
It makes me sad to think that our generation of Sikhs will have a hard time to keep some of these oral phrases and traditions alive.
For those who do not speak, read, or write Punjabi what can we do to ensure that it is passed on to the next generation?
I completely agree with you Harbeer. I also can read and write Punjabi fairly well, as I was taught by a combination of Punjabi school and my grandmother. However, it was when I went through college that I was actually able to begin to understand more than just the formal words. I still have the same conversation with my parents today as they laugh about a Punjabi joke that has references that we do not know because we have not grown up in the time they have; but now instead of just brushing us off as to not being able to understand it we make them explain to us the context, reference, etc.
It makes me sad to think that our generation of Sikhs will have a hard time to keep some of these oral phrases and traditions alive.
For those who do not speak, read, or write Punjabi what can we do to ensure that it is passed on to the next generation?
I am raising a 4yr old and teaching her punjabi. Its not easy as I used to think. My wife and I have a rule-punjabi at home and angreji outside. My wife and I are 1.5 generation punjabis. I ran read write and speak hindi and punjabi fluently and my wife can read write speak punjabi fluently. Our punjabi at home is right from the pind. Still, my daughter has this accent. I dont know where she gets it. Our persistence in speaking punjabi in the house is starting to pay off though. She spontaneously breaks out in punjabi sometimes and i love it. Another thing we do is put up a word and letter of the week (punjabi) on the board so she can start recognizing gurmukhi. She will go to punjabi school also, but, I think the primary responsiblity is with the parents.
I am raising a 4yr old and teaching her punjabi. Its not easy as I used to think. My wife and I have a rule-punjabi at home and angreji outside. My wife and I are 1.5 generation punjabis. I ran read write and speak hindi and punjabi fluently and my wife can read write speak punjabi fluently. Our punjabi at home is right from the pind. Still, my daughter has this accent. I dont know where she gets it. Our persistence in speaking punjabi in the house is starting to pay off though. She spontaneously breaks out in punjabi sometimes and i love it. Another thing we do is put up a word and letter of the week (punjabi) on the board so she can start recognizing gurmukhi. She will go to punjabi school also, but, I think the primary responsiblity is with the parents.
that same rule of thumb, where there is english outside the home and punjabi inside is a great rule and worked for me. My spoken Punjabi was best learned at home, reading and writing is all thanks to the Gurudwara. Its a fairly good formula and combination, the only problem you may face is accents and different dialects of Punjab (Malwa, Majha, Doaba). I have noticed a very big difference in your typical city punjabi and village punjabi and in my opinion nothing beats that Pind Punjabi. From personal experience I have noticed those who have been raised with a rural family background speak the best Punjabi, whereas those with a city background may emphasize reading and writing but do not have the same grammatical skills as their rural friends. What do you guys think?
that same rule of thumb, where there is english outside the home and punjabi inside is a great rule and worked for me. My spoken Punjabi was best learned at home, reading and writing is all thanks to the Gurudwara. Its a fairly good formula and combination, the only problem you may face is accents and different dialects of Punjab (Malwa, Majha, Doaba). I have noticed a very big difference in your typical city punjabi and village punjabi and in my opinion nothing beats that Pind Punjabi. From personal experience I have noticed those who have been raised with a rural family background speak the best Punjabi, whereas those with a city background may emphasize reading and writing but do not have the same grammatical skills as their rural friends. What do you guys think?
Our home was also a punjabi zone and it was enforced with a velna (the tool used to flatten rotis) hehe. While the child is at an early age I believe it is the parent's responsibility – just as a parent feels it's their responsibility to teach good manners, to introduce the child to relatives, stay away from drugs, to tell them to look both ways before crossing the street. If keeping them close to Sikhi and Punjabi culture isn't a big enough reason teach them Punjabi just so they can have a hearty conversation with their grandparents.
Our home was also a punjabi zone and it was enforced with a velna (the tool used to flatten rotis) hehe. While the child is at an early age I believe it is the parent’s responsibility – just as a parent feels it’s their responsibility to teach good manners, to introduce the child to relatives, stay away from drugs, to tell them to look both ways before crossing the street. If keeping them close to Sikhi and Punjabi culture isn’t a big enough reason teach them Punjabi just so they can have a hearty conversation with their grandparents.
We Pakistani Punjabi speak punjabi with our elders and friends but when we talk with our children we start conversation to them in Urdu. This is a trend now a days in middle class living either in rural areas or cities. Though our kids understand the language but cant speak fluently as me or my parents. We cant write our mother tongue. if we write in urdu script some words we can't write and pronuce as easily as in Grumukhi. Thanks to internet that I have learn to write and read punjabi
We Pakistani Punjabi speak punjabi with our elders and friends but when we talk with our children we start conversation to them in Urdu. This is a trend now a days in middle class living either in rural areas or cities. Though our kids understand the language but cant speak fluently as me or my parents. We cant write our mother tongue. if we write in urdu script some words we can’t write and pronuce as easily as in Grumukhi. Thanks to internet that I have learn to write and read punjabi
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Wow, good topic! I am 23 now and my mum and dad didn't raise me with punjabi, but i feel i have to learn the language now!!!
My dad was from a village in Punjab but he married a british indian (my mum.) She always talks english and even though i have begged her to speak punjabi with me she doesn't!!! My dad spoke in Punjabi in bits n pieces but not the whole language, so i know bits n pieces!!!
I know it made my dad sad that his wife always spoke english and his kids always spoke english. i remember him saying, please just say "satsreeakal, it sounds so nice".
Anyway, the parents HAVE to be strict, otherwise kids will lose touch with their roots or become very confused (like me)!!!
I have taught myself to read Gurmukhi now and am going to live in India in october. I will get there in the end!!!
Wow, good topic! I am 23 now and my mum and dad didn’t raise me with punjabi, but i feel i have to learn the language now!!!
My dad was from a village in Punjab but he married a british indian (my mum.) She always talks english and even though i have begged her to speak punjabi with me she doesn’t!!! My dad spoke in Punjabi in bits n pieces but not the whole language, so i know bits n pieces!!!
I know it made my dad sad that his wife always spoke english and his kids always spoke english. i remember him saying, please just say “satsreeakal, it sounds so nice”.
Anyway, the parents HAVE to be strict, otherwise kids will lose touch with their roots or become very confused (like me)!!!
I have taught myself to read Gurmukhi now and am going to live in India in october. I will get there in the end!!!
Lifestyle of Punjabis. Expression on Punjabi Culture, Punjabi Music, Punjabi Songs. Punjabi Dances, due to the long history of the Punjabi culture and of the Punjabi.
Lifestyle of Punjabis. Expression on Punjabi Culture, Punjabi Music, Punjabi Songs. Punjabi Dances, due to the long history of the Punjabi culture and of the Punjabi.
Is the Gurdwara you're talking about in Fremont? It sounds like it, they also have recently got projectors with Shabads translation.
Is the Gurdwara you're talking about in Fremont? It sounds like it, they also have recently got projectors with Shabads translation.
I have not only gone out of my way to teach my self Punjabi but am trying my darn best to write in it to help create a literature that we in the west can relate to. Am also trying to teach my kids as well..If you google Rupinderpal Dhillon or Roop Dhillon, will show you my work, including Punjabi Sci Fi
I have not only gone out of my way to teach my self Punjabi but am trying my darn best to write in it to help create a literature that we in the west can relate to. Am also trying to teach my kids as well..If you google Rupinderpal Dhillon or Roop Dhillon, will show you my work, including Punjabi Sci Fi
Rupinder Dhillon? Is that the same guy as Roop Dhillon?
Rupinder Dhillon? Is that the same guy as Roop Dhillon?
In the west..yes…in fact greater risk in Punjab itslef, not so much of losing the punjabi language ( not likely) but many words and phases as Hindi and English are heavily altering the language
In the west..yes…in fact greater risk in Punjab itslef, not so much of losing the punjabi language ( not likely) but many words and phases as Hindi and English are heavily altering the language
I hope not..I am a british Sikh, and I have managed to teach myself gurmukhi and write sci fi and other stories , I think will attract those western Sikhs who know their Ouurhaa Airhaa to find something they will actually enjoy reading.
I find they can relate to Sikhism but not the situations portrayed in Punjabi Literature..Hopefully I am assisting in re-addressing the balance, for example
http://www.5abi.com/kahani/kahani2008/018-kaldar1…
But I see Rana's point
I hope not..I am a british Sikh, and I have managed to teach myself gurmukhi and write sci fi and other stories , I think will attract those western Sikhs who know their Ouurhaa Airhaa to find something they will actually enjoy reading.
I find they can relate to Sikhism but not the situations portrayed in Punjabi Literature..Hopefully I am assisting in re-addressing the balance, for example
http://www.5abi.com/kahani/kahani2008/018-kaldar1…
But I see Rana's point
http://lahore.metblogs.com/2009/01/01/the-state-o…
This link proves that the onus has been left on the East Punjab, and mainly Sikhs to preserve Punjabi. Note the last poster acknowledges to read his mother tongue he will have to master Gurmukhi
http://www.apnaorg.com/articles/news-30/
The worry about this second link is, that unless Punjabi is wholeheartedly taught in Punjab, Hindi will take over and it will suffer same fate as in Pakistan.
http://www.apnaorg.com/research-papers/amrita-1/
But our danger is that we are too relient on English..yes we do speak Punjabi, but lets face it, when our Parent’s generation dies out, how many of us will be able to fluently write, or read newspapers books et al? None. So what happens when the Gurbani will have to be played via a computer or stereo, cos none of us can understand or read Gurmukhi?
I taught myself at the age of 30…so what is stopping the rest of the Western Hemispheres Sikhs?
http://lahore.metblogs.com/2009/01/01/the-state-o…
This link proves that the onus has been left on the East Punjab, and mainly Sikhs to preserve Punjabi. Note the last poster acknowledges to read his mother tongue he will have to master Gurmukhi
http://www.apnaorg.com/articles/news-30/
The worry about this second link is, that unless Punjabi is wholeheartedly taught in Punjab, Hindi will take over and it will suffer same fate as in Pakistan.
http://www.apnaorg.com/research-papers/amrita-1/
But our danger is that we are too relient on English..yes we do speak Punjabi, but lets face it, when our Parent’s generation dies out, how many of us will be able to fluently write, or read newspapers books et al? None. So what happens when the Gurbani will have to be played via a computer or stereo, cos none of us can understand or read Gurmukhi?
I taught myself at the age of 30…so what is stopping the rest of the Western Hemispheres Sikhs?
A good place to start testing your Gurmukhi
http://kitaban.com/
A good place to start testing your Gurmukhi
http://kitaban.com/
These are related articles I myself have wrote on the matter…
http://www.sikhspectrum.com/072008/punjabi.htm
http://www.sikhspectrum.com/052006/chenab/1.htm
These are related articles I myself have wrote on the matter…
http://www.sikhspectrum.com/072008/punjabi.htm
http://www.sikhspectrum.com/052006/chenab/1.htm
There needs to be a concerted effort to evolve the Punjabi language. I feel that with the shrinkage in contemporary, quality literature, it's adoption will reduce further, vocabulary will become insufficient to communicate in modern era, creating a barrier to adoption.
There needs to be a concerted effort to evolve the Punjabi language. I feel that with the shrinkage in contemporary, quality literature, it's adoption will reduce further, vocabulary will become insufficient to communicate in modern era, creating a barrier to adoption.
iSIngh Ji there has been one…much effort on part of writers , university ( Patiala) and people like me..and I don't think the 14 most spoken language in the world is suddenly going to die…the key is people must start buying gurmukhi-shahmukhi books and read Punjabi as the English do their own…the ENglish are so proud of Shakespere that via hollywood and English lessons they have imposed him on the world..we have Waris Shah's Heer and the Adi Granth from the golden age..we need to read punjabi more…and us in the west write stories in Punjabi that will interest the youth ( I hope my Kaldaar,?????, does this). Do you read Gurmukhi? Are you a Western Diaposa Sikh, born and bread?
http://www.advancedcentrepunjabi.org/
iSIngh Ji there has been one…much effort on part of writers , university ( Patiala) and people like me..and I don't think the 14 most spoken language in the world is suddenly going to die…the key is people must start buying gurmukhi-shahmukhi books and read Punjabi as the English do their own…the ENglish are so proud of Shakespere that via hollywood and English lessons they have imposed him on the world..we have Waris Shah's Heer and the Adi Granth from the golden age..we need to read punjabi more…and us in the west write stories in Punjabi that will interest the youth ( I hope my Kaldaar,?????, does this). Do you read Gurmukhi? Are you a Western Diaposa Sikh, born and bread?
http://www.advancedcentrepunjabi.org/
I hear what you are saying I Singh. Can I be bold as to ask ( and in fitting with this website I am not writing in Punjabi), do the following interest you? If they do, Punjabi has a chance, if not, thenI do not know what to do…
http://www.kitaban.com/roopd/kaldar.pdf
http://www.rubru.ca/july2009/chori.html
http://www.5abi.com/kahani/kahani2008/016-laash1-…
As a traditionalist I am trying ny darn best to have my writings published as a book…but must concede to you that most of my writing is on the net…
I hear what you are saying I Singh. Can I be bold as to ask ( and in fitting with this website I am not writing in Punjabi), do the following interest you? If they do, Punjabi has a chance, if not, thenI do not know what to do…
http://www.kitaban.com/roopd/kaldar.pdf
http://www.rubru.ca/july2009/chori.html
http://www.5abi.com/kahani/kahani2008/016-laash1-…
As a traditionalist I am trying ny darn best to have my writings published as a book…but must concede to you that most of my writing is on the net…
Rana please do not pretend you are me..I can defend myself..Thos links are to my works not yours.
Rana please do not pretend you are me..I can defend myself..Thos links are to my works not yours.
Sorry…but Roop Ji, you know I am right…it's you I am doing the favor to
?? ???? ?? ???? ?? ??? ??? ??, ???? ?? ??? ????????? ??? ?? ????? ??. ????? ??? ??? ?? ??? ??? ?? ?? ??? ?????? ??? ?? ????? ?????? ??. ?? ??? ?? ??? ?? ???? ??? ????? ?? ???? ?? ??????
Sorry…but Roop Ji, you know I am right…it's you I am doing the favor to
?? ???? ?? ???? ?? ??? ??? ??, ???? ?? ??? ????????? ??? ?? ????? ??. ????? ??? ??? ?? ??? ??? ?? ?? ??? ?????? ??? ?? ????? ?????? ??. ?? ??? ?? ??? ?? ???? ??? ????? ?? ???? ?? ??????
???? ?????? ??? ??????? ?????? ????? ?? ? ?? ???? ????? ?? ?? ??? ??????? ???? ?
???? ?????? ??? ??????? ?????? ????? ?? ? ?? ???? ????? ?? ?? ??? ??????? ???? ?
Roop
I don’t understand your obsession with Punjabi.
Firstly being from the West you could not possibly write fully and properly in the language.
Secondly, who are you aiming at? Us western Sikhs primarily speak English, and almost certainly can only read English, so why do we care for Punjabi? We might learn the Ourrhaa Airhaa and maybe the most religious will read the Gatka, but that is it.
No one in India could possibly understand your western experiences or care, so that can’t be a market. Most people write to make a living, so why not write in English, with its greater audience? Or of you care about Sikhi, write about Sikhi in English
Fact is, most western kids either care about Sikhi, but can learn about their Sikh roots via English, or the majority are substance abusers who just like to party and drink, and the most Punjabi they care about is “Balle Balle” and “ Kurhi shrabi bottle”. Face it, in the west Punjabi dies with our parents or the second immigrant generation.
Create a Sikh literature in English, not in a language we won’t ever read or fully comprehend..
English is the true medium of the Western Sikh, that is why even Gurdwaras are now using lap tops to show the meaning of Gurbani in English…Punjabi is dying out in India except in colloquial usage..so why are you wasting energy?
Roop
I don’t understand your obsession with Punjabi.
Firstly being from the West you could not possibly write fully and properly in the language.
Secondly, who are you aiming at? Us western Sikhs primarily speak English, and almost certainly can only read English, so why do we care for Punjabi? We might learn the Ourrhaa Airhaa and maybe the most religious will read the Gatka, but that is it.
No one in India could possibly understand your western experiences or care, so that can’t be a market. Most people write to make a living, so why not write in English, with its greater audience? Or of you care about Sikhi, write about Sikhi in English
Fact is, most western kids either care about Sikhi, but can learn about their Sikh roots via English, or the majority are substance abusers who just like to party and drink, and the most Punjabi they care about is “Balle Balle” and “ Kurhi shrabi bottle”. Face it, in the west Punjabi dies with our parents or the second immigrant generation.
Create a Sikh literature in English, not in a language we won’t ever read or fully comprehend..
English is the true medium of the Western Sikh, that is why even Gurdwaras are now using lap tops to show the meaning of Gurbani in English…Punjabi is dying out in India except in colloquial usage..so why are you wasting energy?
Create a Sikh literature in English, not in a language we won’t ever read or fully comprehend..
English is the true medium of the Western Sikh, that is why even Gurdwaras are now using lap tops to show the meaning of Gurbani in English…Punjabi is dying out in India except in colloquial usage..so why are you wasting energy?
Roop
I don’t understand your obsession with Punjabi.
Firstly being from the West you could not possibly write fully and properly in the language.
Secondly, who are you aiming at? Us western Sikhs primarily speak English, and almost certainly can only read English, so why do we care for Punjabi? We might learn the Ourrhaa Airhaa and maybe the most religious will read the Gatka, but that is it.
No one in India could possibly understand your western experiences or care, so that can’t be a market. Most people write to make a living, so why not write in English, with its greater audience? Or of you care about Sikhi, write about Sikhi in English
Fact is, most western kids either care about Sikhi, but can learn about their Sikh roots via English, or the majority are substance abusers who just like to party and drink, and the most Punjabi they care about is “Balle Balle” and “ Kurhi shrabi bottle”. Face it, in the west Punjabi dies with our parents or the second immigrant generation.
Roop
I don’t understand your obsession with Punjabi.
Firstly being from the West you could not possibly write fully and properly in the language.
Secondly, who are you aiming at? Us western Sikhs primarily speak English, and almost certainly can only read English, so why do we care for Punjabi? We might learn the Ourrhaa Airhaa and maybe the most religious will read the Gatka, but that is it.
No one in India could possibly understand your western experiences or care, so that can’t be a market. Most people write to make a living, so why not write in English, with its greater audience? Or of you care about Sikhi, write about Sikhi in English
Fact is, most western kids either care about Sikhi, but can learn about their Sikh roots via English, or the majority are substance abusers who just like to party and drink, and the most Punjabi they care about is “Balle Balle” and “ Kurhi shrabi bottle”. Face it, in the west Punjabi dies with our parents or the second immigrant generation.
Create a Sikh literature in English, not in a language we won’t ever read or fully comprehend..
English is the true medium of the Western Sikh, that is why even Gurdwaras are now using lap tops to show the meaning of Gurbani in English…Punjabi is dying out in India except in colloquial usage..so why are you wasting energy?
Guys, ashamed as I am to say this, Sikhs may be linked with Punjabi, but here in the west the last two posts might as well be in Chinese…Surely the future is English, or Punjabi in English letters?