“Punjabiye Zubane”
I have noticed these past couple of weeks that discussions about the value of Punjabi have become more prevalent. The issue of maintaining our “ma boli” is constantly on our minds and manifests in our everyday lives. However, with the onset of many Vaisakhi melas, Nagar Kirtans, and of course Satinder Sartaj concerts the discussions are heightened.
Recently, on Jus Punjabi’s “Aaj Da Mudda” show, there was an insightful conversation about pronunciation and the longevity of Punjabi. The host and guest discussed how East Punjabi’s pronunciation of words have changed (we are taking the easier route). Despite this change in pronunciation, the guest highlighted how Punjabi has survived the most turbulent of times (e.g. the state language during Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s rule was Farsi and the 1960’s division of India Punjab).
As he spoke, I was reminded of Gurdas Mann’s song “Punjabiye Zubane” (listen below). This song captures how the strength of the Punjabi language was developed over time. It is this strength that has allowed it to survive. I am left wondering if we 1) have the will and 2) the capacity to nurture and love this language like others have done in the past. Can we help nurture the strength of Punjabi in today’s context? What do you think?
358 Responses to ““Punjabiye Zubane””
I have been following, and I am bemused by some of what I have read…what about the views of actual Punjabis from the Diaspora?
Here is my view…
http://www.sikhspectrum.com/072008/punjabi.htm
I have been following, and I am bemused by some of what I have read…what about the views of actual Punjabis from the Diaspora?
Here is my view…
http://www.sikhspectrum.com/072008/punjabi.htm
Generation of “KNOWLEDGE” in Punjabi language is one way of giving a boost to Punjabi language.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epistemology
Generation of “KNOWLEDGE” in Punjabi language is one way of giving a boost to Punjabi language.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epistemology
Punjabi is fundamentally a Pindu language. Anyhow it is a Muslim language, not a Hindu one. Fact is the Muslims rejected it, and politically and relgiously went behind Urdu..Sikhs adapted it as their own.
Punjabi is fundamentally a Pindu language. Anyhow it is a Muslim language, not a Hindu one. Fact is the Muslims rejected it, and politically and relgiously went behind Urdu..Sikhs adapted it as their own.
1) I think you are far too harsh on western Sikhs/Hindus/Muslim/Punjabis in general here____They have been brought up in the West and their ( read mine) natural language is English ( or whichever country we hail from). Thus Punjabi is not natural to us, and not necessary to be spirtually a good Sikh____
2) We are a Diocotamy though, in so far as we do love to speak Punjabi, we love our heritage.____So if we think it useful, we will learn for ourselves, just as Roop Dhillon did, otherwise guys just let it go, as culturally we are now western.____Punjabi is not going to die, there will always be immigrants from Punjab who will speak it in the west, but realistically, those who are born here, will in time only use English.____I doubt that anyone in the west in the long term will be part of the readership, or contribute to the canon of Punjabi Literature…even now, we have less and less Song writers contributing then a generation ago…it's all crap re-mixed music.____People like Roop Dhillon don't get exposure in the popular Punjabi culture of the west, because he ain't a SInger or Actor, so I doubt reading and writing Punjabi will ever catch on..
1) I think you are far too harsh on western Sikhs/Hindus/Muslim/Punjabis in general here____They have been brought up in the West and their ( read mine) natural language is English ( or whichever country we hail from). Thus Punjabi is not natural to us, and not necessary to be spirtually a good Sikh____
2) We are a Diocotamy though, in so far as we do love to speak Punjabi, we love our heritage.____So if we think it useful, we will learn for ourselves, just as Roop Dhillon did, otherwise guys just let it go, as culturally we are now western.____Punjabi is not going to die, there will always be immigrants from Punjab who will speak it in the west, but realistically, those who are born here, will in time only use English.____I doubt that anyone in the west in the long term will be part of the readership, or contribute to the canon of Punjabi Literature…even now, we have less and less Song writers contributing then a generation ago…it's all crap re-mixed music.____People like Roop Dhillon don't get exposure in the popular Punjabi culture of the west, because he ain't a SInger or Actor, so I doubt reading and writing Punjabi will ever catch on..
Now its the same case wih my wife, who grew up in Dilli and US. She can't read or write Punjabi and started speaking only after we met….more because I would continue talking in Punjabi while we are talking in English..something I feel proud of. Now I am in the process of teaching her theth Punjabi and not that Shehri Hindi style..like Gongloo is Shalgam, and bhalke is tomm. and its real fun especially when I use Punjabi Akhan… (Nain langhi te Khwaza visreyaa!)which are sort of phasing out too. So, my point is that if we really want to see Punjabi flourish and grow, we have to make sure that the people are not just conversing in Punjabi but also reading and writng it as well. And I think the free Punjabi papers which are published in US and Canada (Ajit, Hamdard, Punjabi Tribune)are doing really great job in that..I know I have been in continous contact with Punjabi and actually learned more theth Punjabi than even my Parents because of these papers and people here in US who speak more theth Punjabi than people in Punjab. Sat Sri AKall!
Now its the same case wih my wife, who grew up in Dilli and US. She can't read or write Punjabi and started speaking only after we met….more because I would continue talking in Punjabi while we are talking in English..something I feel proud of. Now I am in the process of teaching her theth Punjabi and not that Shehri Hindi style..like Gongloo is Shalgam, and bhalke is tomm. and its real fun especially when I use Punjabi Akhan… (Nain langhi te Khwaza visreyaa!)which are sort of phasing out too. So, my point is that if we really want to see Punjabi flourish and grow, we have to make sure that the people are not just conversing in Punjabi but also reading and writng it as well. And I think the free Punjabi papers which are published in US and Canada (Ajit, Hamdard, Punjabi Tribune)are doing really great job in that..I know I have been in continous contact with Punjabi and actually learned more theth Punjabi than even my Parents because of these papers and people here in US who speak more theth Punjabi than people in Punjab. Sat Sri AKall!
Few observations
– Most of the content on websites using Gurmukhi script is amateurish. The sentence structure of prose, essays or news stories is say 5th grade level or below. Not sure if it is a constraint of language or the ability of writers to create and communicate complex thoughts through the language. For someone who has the option of reading a NYT editorial Vs an essay on 5abi.com, the choice is very obvious. Since it is not the language but the content that matters. While the comparison with Russian authors is unfair, but it does prove the point that its not the language that matters, its what you compose in the language.
– It is unfair to single out literature as being in the state of decline. No one watches Jalandhar Doordarshan not because we do not understand Punjabi, its because the broadcasts are headache inducing. Same is true for the Punjabi movies. Similarly, just because Bhangra sounds are more amenable for dance steps and fast rhythm does not make it into a better genre. It is just different but not as complex as the classical indian ragas or western classical.
– I think one way to stimulate interest in writing is to institute awards for literature written in Punjabi. This may prompt authors to spend more effort in composing in Punjabi than English or other language which has more readership. A million dollars for best creative writing will have a drastic impact on the adoption and quality of contemporary literature. Similar awards could be instituted for other arts. The judging should be by global literary icons/ experts who may not know Punjabi at all.
Few observations
– Most of the content on websites using Gurmukhi script is amateurish. The sentence structure of prose, essays or news stories is say 5th grade level or below. Not sure if it is a constraint of language or the ability of writers to create and communicate complex thoughts through the language. For someone who has the option of reading a NYT editorial Vs an essay on 5abi.com, the choice is very obvious. Since it is not the language but the content that matters. While the comparison with Russian authors is unfair, but it does prove the point that its not the language that matters, its what you compose in the language.
– It is unfair to single out literature as being in the state of decline. No one watches Jalandhar Doordarshan not because we do not understand Punjabi, its because the broadcasts are headache inducing. Same is true for the Punjabi movies. Similarly, just because Bhangra sounds are more amenable for dance steps and fast rhythm does not make it into a better genre. It is just different but not as complex as the classical indian ragas or western classical.
– I think one way to stimulate interest in writing is to institute awards for literature written in Punjabi. This may prompt authors to spend more effort in composing in Punjabi than English or other language which has more readership. A million dollars for best creative writing will have a drastic impact on the adoption and quality of contemporary literature. Similar awards could be instituted for other arts. The judging should be by global literary icons/ experts who may not know Punjabi at all.
Since few folks have enthusiastically recommended 5abi.com as an example of Punjabi language portal, for those who cannot read Gurmukhi, I have tried to translate the titles of content on the main page of this leading punjabi language portal. You can judge for yourself you are missing anything. (Disclaimer: This is just to provide an overview of topics with no claims about accuracy of translation)
News/Essays
– Dev Thareekey Waala extended warm welcome on reaching England
– Modern media, journalism and writing
– Essay: Religious politics, corruption and punjabi novel
– Conversations with "Dashmesh Pita" on the occasion of Vaisakhi 2010
– Considering the journey as just a journey
– Letters, thoughts and writing
Creative
– Divorce
– Selfish people
– Translation
– Realization
– 4 progressive poems
Special essays
– Its better to die than beg
– Where are my country's golden birds
Science
– Arithmetic: Make it fun
Interview
– Dr. Amarjit Singh Kang is the beacon of Punjabi language in Haryana
Humor
– Marriage of a stoner
Literature
– Falling leaves
History
– From Ghadar to independence
– "Loona's" village : Chamiaree
This is just a snapshot of what are the priorities of a leading Punjabi language portal.
Since few folks have enthusiastically recommended 5abi.com as an example of Punjabi language portal, for those who cannot read Gurmukhi, I have tried to translate the titles of content on the main page of this leading punjabi language portal. You can judge for yourself you are missing anything. (Disclaimer: This is just to provide an overview of topics with no claims about accuracy of translation)
News/Essays
– Dev Thareekey Waala extended warm welcome on reaching England
– Modern media, journalism and writing
– Essay: Religious politics, corruption and punjabi novel
– Conversations with "Dashmesh Pita" on the occasion of Vaisakhi 2010
– Considering the journey as just a journey
– Letters, thoughts and writing
Creative
– Divorce
– Selfish people
– Translation
– Realization
– 4 progressive poems
Special essays
– Its better to die than beg
– Where are my country's golden birds
Science
– Arithmetic: Make it fun
Interview
– Dr. Amarjit Singh Kang is the beacon of Punjabi language in Haryana
Humor
– Marriage of a stoner
Literature
– Falling leaves
History
– From Ghadar to independence
– "Loona's" village : Chamiaree
This is just a snapshot of what are the priorities of a leading Punjabi language portal.
think Punjabi will survive in India. Specifically because of Sikhs. It is their religion`s language. Based on my experience Indian Punjabi speakers, specifically Sikhs, are far more interested in Punjabi than anyone in Pakistan. The non-Sikhs may be interested in it, from India, because they are a small group, trying to protect a language
Punjabi has lost its social status. It is now considered the language of the illierate or poor. If you see Pakistani dramas, all the poor people or servants are shown speaking Punjabi. The rich Punjabis speak English in public, the middle class speaks Urdu. And those who cannot speak either, speak Punjabi……….The rich and middle class only speak Punjabi inside their homes…….if that
think Punjabi will survive in India. Specifically because of Sikhs. It is their religion`s language. Based on my experience Indian Punjabi speakers, specifically Sikhs, are far more interested in Punjabi than anyone in Pakistan. The non-Sikhs may be interested in it, from India, because they are a small group, trying to protect a language
Punjabi has lost its social status. It is now considered the language of the illierate or poor. If you see Pakistani dramas, all the poor people or servants are shown speaking Punjabi. The rich Punjabis speak English in public, the middle class speaks Urdu. And those who cannot speak either, speak Punjabi……….The rich and middle class only speak Punjabi inside their homes…….if that
Having said that, it has made a small revival of sorts, in literature. Very small. It is cool to speak some Punjabi and dress like a Punjabi landlord at weddings. And it has made a big revival in music, with even Pathan and Urdu-speaking singers singing in Punjabi regularly. And Punjabi film industry is the largest in Pakistan………..However, I don`t think that will last, once everyone is literate and learns Ghalib and Mir in school………..And has no clue who Bulleh Shah and Amrita Pritam are/were
For Punjabi`s language is not sacraed cow.
Having said that, it has made a small revival of sorts, in literature. Very small. It is cool to speak some Punjabi and dress like a Punjabi landlord at weddings. And it has made a big revival in music, with even Pathan and Urdu-speaking singers singing in Punjabi regularly. And Punjabi film industry is the largest in Pakistan………..However, I don`t think that will last, once everyone is literate and learns Ghalib and Mir in school………..And has no clue who Bulleh Shah and Amrita Pritam are/were
For Punjabi`s language is not sacraed cow.
It is an old saying that to destroy a nation,destroy their language& that is what has been done to Punjab systematically.This was started by the british and still continues on both sides of the border.Yes it is much more on western side mainly because people are much more confused in their religeous/regional/ethnic identities and are not trying to preserve their mother tongue,because the notion that punjabi is language of the sikh religeon,has been instilled deep into their minds.
It is an old saying that to destroy a nation,destroy their language& that is what has been done to Punjab systematically.This was started by the british and still continues on both sides of the border.Yes it is much more on western side mainly because people are much more confused in their religeous/regional/ethnic identities and are not trying to preserve their mother tongue,because the notion that punjabi is language of the sikh religeon,has been instilled deep into their minds.
I think the following by Eric Cyprian, is interesting. Sorry but I will have to post it in separate sections
A people without Language
It is a unique phenomenon that the educated Punjabi is ashamed of
his own mother tongue and thinks that it is the language of the
uncultured. He therefore, takes pride in the fact that he is
illiterate in his mother tongue, though he may speak it fluently and
use it for special purposes. Urban educated Punjabis use their
mother tongue for informal conversation, especially in the exchange
of obscenities with intimate friends in stag parties or in all male
company. They are almost totally ignorant of the riches in their
mother tongue and many of them have heard of some of the classics in
Punjabis but have the haziest idea of the content of well-known
poems. They may be familiar with some Punjabi songs and a few folk
songs made popular by films and TV and radio artists.
Till recently
Punjabi language and literature were not taught at any stage in the
Punjab. About two decades ago with great difficulty the Punjab
University was persuaded to start post graduate studies in Punjabi
language and literature, and there is a steady stream of students
who have completed their MA studies in Punjabi and have gone out to
teach Punjabi to Intermediate and BA students in some colleges.
Teachers in schools and colleges do not encourage students to take
up the formal study of Punjabi. In rural areas teachers and
principals of some colleges exert their utmost influence on students
desirous of taking up the formal study of Punjabi and usually
succeed in dissuading them from taking up Punjabi as one of their
elective subjects. The few lecturers appointed in colleges in the
Punjab are treated as untouchables by their colleagues and made to
feel inferior to lecturers in other subjects.
I think the following by Eric Cyprian, is interesting. Sorry but I will have to post it in separate sections
A people without Language
It is a unique phenomenon that the educated Punjabi is ashamed of
his own mother tongue and thinks that it is the language of the
uncultured. He therefore, takes pride in the fact that he is
illiterate in his mother tongue, though he may speak it fluently and
use it for special purposes. Urban educated Punjabis use their
mother tongue for informal conversation, especially in the exchange
of obscenities with intimate friends in stag parties or in all male
company. They are almost totally ignorant of the riches in their
mother tongue and many of them have heard of some of the classics in
Punjabis but have the haziest idea of the content of well-known
poems. They may be familiar with some Punjabi songs and a few folk
songs made popular by films and TV and radio artists.
Till recently
Punjabi language and literature were not taught at any stage in the
Punjab. About two decades ago with great difficulty the Punjab
University was persuaded to start post graduate studies in Punjabi
language and literature, and there is a steady stream of students
who have completed their MA studies in Punjabi and have gone out to
teach Punjabi to Intermediate and BA students in some colleges.
Teachers in schools and colleges do not encourage students to take
up the formal study of Punjabi. In rural areas teachers and
principals of some colleges exert their utmost influence on students
desirous of taking up the formal study of Punjabi and usually
succeed in dissuading them from taking up Punjabi as one of their
elective subjects. The few lecturers appointed in colleges in the
Punjab are treated as untouchables by their colleagues and made to
feel inferior to lecturers in other subjects.
One reason for the alienation of the Punjabi educated people from
their mother tongue is the flexibility of the upper classes to
collaborate with the enemy. When the British came the opportunists
flocked to bend their knees to the new rulers and made enormous
gains thereby. Later when Pakistan was established it was the
Punjabi elite who in alliance with the Urdu speaking that controlled
the machinery of the state and also manipulated the levers of
financial and economic power.
To trace the decline of the Punjabi language and literature in our
Punjab we have to delve deep into our history to find the causes for
this decline. It is surprising that during the Sikh rule in the
Punjab the court language remained Persian and all legal and
government documents, firmans, etc were in the language used by the
Moguls in their state business. But Punjabi flourished both among
the Sikhs and the Muslims because of the fact that for the Sikhs
their sacred books were in Punjabi language written in the Gurmukhi
script while for the Muslims there was a body of mystic poetry by
the great Sufi saints of Punjab which was the means for the
illiterate masses to get acquainted with their religion.
One reason for the alienation of the Punjabi educated people from
their mother tongue is the flexibility of the upper classes to
collaborate with the enemy. When the British came the opportunists
flocked to bend their knees to the new rulers and made enormous
gains thereby. Later when Pakistan was established it was the
Punjabi elite who in alliance with the Urdu speaking that controlled
the machinery of the state and also manipulated the levers of
financial and economic power.
To trace the decline of the Punjabi language and literature in our
Punjab we have to delve deep into our history to find the causes for
this decline. It is surprising that during the Sikh rule in the
Punjab the court language remained Persian and all legal and
government documents, firmans, etc were in the language used by the
Moguls in their state business. But Punjabi flourished both among
the Sikhs and the Muslims because of the fact that for the Sikhs
their sacred books were in Punjabi language written in the Gurmukhi
script while for the Muslims there was a body of mystic poetry by
the great Sufi saints of Punjab which was the means for the
illiterate masses to get acquainted with their religion.
ok. So how do you judge on this scale, level of Shiv Kumar's work, or Jaggi Kussa or pertintent to what has been said on this subject, some foreigner like Roop Dhillon writing in Punjabi? Be blunt and honest.
ok. So how do you judge on this scale, level of Shiv Kumar's work, or Jaggi Kussa or pertintent to what has been said on this subject, some foreigner like Roop Dhillon writing in Punjabi? Be blunt and honest.
Woh! Main aap nu defend kar sakda hai yaar..I am just a novice yaar, on a journey
Acha I SIngh Ji, I understand where you are coming from…I haev in my writing, tried to break conventions of Punjabi writing, by pitting my style not against what is acceptablein Punjabi, but world Literature…as it happens my writing can be seen at 5abi, rubru.ca and others ( but I'll deal with that below). I hope my writing is not 5th rate, but that is up to you readers to judge..
Woh! Main aap nu defend kar sakda hai yaar..I am just a novice yaar, on a journey
Acha I SIngh Ji, I understand where you are coming from…I haev in my writing, tried to break conventions of Punjabi writing, by pitting my style not against what is acceptablein Punjabi, but world Literature…as it happens my writing can be seen at 5abi, rubru.ca and others ( but I'll deal with that below). I hope my writing is not 5th rate, but that is up to you readers to judge..
I see what you are saying, but I would like to add my penny's worth.
Curently guys like me who get ripped off by conventional publishers in Punjab, have this new internet media, and we will use all teh sites available. Not all of us writers write about similiar subjects, and yes, most will not be progrressive.. So we use what we can
Secondly, these websites are trying their darn best, but to survive, will publish what they are given..
Thirdly, over time people like you could change contents to what interests you…you should either submit your own work..or the 5th rate websites will die out, as better ones come into the market…
Yaar…it's a start
I see what you are saying, but I would like to add my penny's worth.
Curently guys like me who get ripped off by conventional publishers in Punjab, have this new internet media, and we will use all teh sites available. Not all of us writers write about similiar subjects, and yes, most will not be progrressive.. So we use what we can
Secondly, these websites are trying their darn best, but to survive, will publish what they are given..
Thirdly, over time people like you could change contents to what interests you…you should either submit your own work..or the 5th rate websites will die out, as better ones come into the market…
Yaar…it's a start
“Sikhs are seen as the stupid ones,Hellllllllloooo,my friend a little correction is needed ,SIKHS are the stupid ones.”
Paramjit Singh, Tuesday, April 27, 2010 at 7:39 pm
“Cheema,u r right mah freind,these western born and raised sikhs have never even read the punjabi alphabet.They have been reared on myths and delusions,spread by their ignoramous parents,friends and ever visiting babas.Hindu writers have contributed more to punjabi literature than these sword wielding phony sikhs.Of course roop dhillon is exception to the rule as he rightfully should be.”
Paramjit Singh, Wednesday, April 28, 2010 at 4:36 pm
Helllllooooooo, a BIG correction is needed here – Paramjit is the real STUPID one here. This self-styled anti-Sikh crusader appears to have no other motive than to slander Sikhs and the Sikh religion. It sort, he is a mentally retarded turd.
What is even more shocking is that nobody on this site seems to stand up to him, even the moderators seem happy to allow his slanderous outbursts.
“Sikhs are seen as the stupid ones,Hellllllllloooo,my friend a little correction is needed ,SIKHS are the stupid ones.”
Paramjit Singh, Tuesday, April 27, 2010 at 7:39 pm
“Cheema,u r right mah freind,these western born and raised sikhs have never even read the punjabi alphabet.They have been reared on myths and delusions,spread by their ignoramous parents,friends and ever visiting babas.Hindu writers have contributed more to punjabi literature than these sword wielding phony sikhs.Of course roop dhillon is exception to the rule as he rightfully should be.”
Paramjit Singh, Wednesday, April 28, 2010 at 4:36 pm
Helllllooooooo, a BIG correction is needed here – Paramjit is the real STUPID one here. This self-styled anti-Sikh crusader appears to have no other motive than to slander Sikhs and the Sikh religion. It sort, he is a mentally retarded turd.
What is even more shocking is that nobody on this site seems to stand up to him, even the moderators seem happy to allow his slanderous outbursts.
I Agree about ParamJit
Re Badal, he has pushed in the stake into the heart of final chance of saving Punjabi..but let us be honest, Punjabis themselves don’t care which is why he can do it..it is not like they have come in the streets like the Greeks did today to fight for Punjabyat..fact is we should stop calling Punjab, Punjab…the Punjabi language is dying at the hands of its own…and those in the west in this debate here have proven they don’t care or have knowledge to save it
I Agree about ParamJit
Re Badal, he has pushed in the stake into the heart of final chance of saving Punjabi..but let us be honest, Punjabis themselves don’t care which is why he can do it..it is not like they have come in the streets like the Greeks did today to fight for Punjabyat..fact is we should stop calling Punjab, Punjab…the Punjabi language is dying at the hands of its own…and those in the west in this debate here have proven they don’t care or have knowledge to save it
I for one intend to do all I can to carry the torch for Punjabi. The key is Speak Punjabi, READ PUNJABI, write Punjabi. Novels are the best way, followed by newspapers.
I will carry on writing, even if I am the only one from the west contributing..hopefully others will follow me..google me to see my writings, maybe they will spark an interest in Punjabi
I for one intend to do all I can to carry the torch for Punjabi. The key is Speak Punjabi, READ PUNJABI, write Punjabi. Novels are the best way, followed by newspapers.
I will carry on writing, even if I am the only one from the west contributing..hopefully others will follow me..google me to see my writings, maybe they will spark an interest in Punjabi
http://apnaorg.com/articles/himal-1/
one view on the affair
http://apnaorg.com/articles/himal-1/
one view on the affair
I think us western born Punjabis are the guardians of the Punjabi language rather than it's killers. I was born in London to a mum and dad who were also born in London (and incidentaly, my parents 'English' is more 'white' than my own because they grew up in London at a time when the cockney accent was the norm whereas I grew up in a time where us British south Asians had developed our own London dialect which contained a little bit of cockney, a little bit of Jamaican and a hellava lot of Indian) and yet my Punjabi contains Punjabi words and expressions that went out of use back in Punjab generations ago. A truly old fashioned Punjabi vocabulary that never ceases to amaze relatives back in Punjab. At the end of the day the speakers of proper Majha Punjabi will always look down on the doaba dialect Punjabi spoken by most western born Sikhs. This doaba Punjabi is, just as its always been, a very rustic slang form of Punjabi, but that's always been the case with the Punjabi language. It's one of the reasons the British were so keen on introducing Urdu to the Punjabi landscape….because Punjabi had too many variations and dialects to make it easily understandable to the British soldier.
I think us western born Punjabis are the guardians of the Punjabi language rather than it's killers. I was born in London to a mum and dad who were also born in London (and incidentaly, my parents 'English' is more 'white' than my own because they grew up in London at a time when the cockney accent was the norm whereas I grew up in a time where us British south Asians had developed our own London dialect which contained a little bit of cockney, a little bit of Jamaican and a hellava lot of Indian) and yet my Punjabi contains Punjabi words and expressions that went out of use back in Punjab generations ago. A truly old fashioned Punjabi vocabulary that never ceases to amaze relatives back in Punjab. At the end of the day the speakers of proper Majha Punjabi will always look down on the doaba dialect Punjabi spoken by most western born Sikhs. This doaba Punjabi is, just as its always been, a very rustic slang form of Punjabi, but that's always been the case with the Punjabi language. It's one of the reasons the British were so keen on introducing Urdu to the Punjabi landscape….because Punjabi had too many variations and dialects to make it easily understandable to the British soldier.
…also…What makes me really happy though is when I meet Pakistanis from the rural areas of Faisalabad district in pakistan. Because that district was used to re-house the muslims that left the muslim dominated Jalandhar district of doaba in 1947, the same doaba dialect or rural Jalandhar, Southall, Vancouver and Yuba City, is now the local dialect of Faisalabad district in Pakistan (although the Pakistanis now call it faisalabadi Punjabi rather than doaba punjabi) ….and they're even happier to meet us because their dialect is looked down upon by their fellow Pakistanis who speak either the standard Punjabi majha dialect or more often Urdu. The fact of the matter is, despite growing up in the heat of the largest Sikh community in the world outside India, I do not know a single Sikh that can either speak Hindi or has any inclination to learn Hindi. Outside the hindi and hindu dominated world of India, Punjabi is what it's all about. It's Hindi that is second rate and doesn't get a look in.
…also…What makes me really happy though is when I meet Pakistanis from the rural areas of Faisalabad district in pakistan. Because that district was used to re-house the muslims that left the muslim dominated Jalandhar district of doaba in 1947, the same doaba dialect or rural Jalandhar, Southall, Vancouver and Yuba City, is now the local dialect of Faisalabad district in Pakistan (although the Pakistanis now call it faisalabadi Punjabi rather than doaba punjabi) ….and they're even happier to meet us because their dialect is looked down upon by their fellow Pakistanis who speak either the standard Punjabi majha dialect or more often Urdu. The fact of the matter is, despite growing up in the heat of the largest Sikh community in the world outside India, I do not know a single Sikh that can either speak Hindi or has any inclination to learn Hindi. Outside the hindi and hindu dominated world of India, Punjabi is what it's all about. It's Hindi that is second rate and doesn't get a look in.
…also…What makes me really happy though is when I meet Pakistanis from the rural areas of Faisalabad district in pakistan. Because that district was used to re-house the muslims that left the muslim dominated Jalandhar district of doaba in 1947, the same doaba dialect or rural Jalandhar, Southall, Vancouver and Yuba City, is now the local dialect of Faisalabad district in Pakistan (although the Pakistanis now call it faisalabadi Punjabi rather than doaba punjabi) ….and they're even happier to meet us because their dialect is looked down upon by their fellow Pakistanis who speak either the standard Punjabi majha dialect or more often Urdu. The fact of the matter is, despite growing up in the heat of the largest Sikh community in the world outside India, I do not know a single Sikh that can either speak Hindi or has any inclination to learn Hindi. Outside the hindi and hindu dominated world of India, Punjabi is what it's all about. It's Hindi that is second rate and doesn't get a look in.
…also…What makes me really happy though is when I meet Pakistanis from the rural areas of Faisalabad district in pakistan. Because that district was used to re-house the muslims that left the muslim dominated Jalandhar district of doaba in 1947, the same doaba dialect or rural Jalandhar, Southall, Vancouver and Yuba City, is now the local dialect of Faisalabad district in Pakistan (although the Pakistanis now call it faisalabadi Punjabi rather than doaba punjabi) ….and they're even happier to meet us because their dialect is looked down upon by their fellow Pakistanis who speak either the standard Punjabi majha dialect or more often Urdu. The fact of the matter is, despite growing up in the heat of the largest Sikh community in the world outside India, I do not know a single Sikh that can either speak Hindi or has any inclination to learn Hindi. Outside the hindi and hindu dominated world of India, Punjabi is what it's all about. It's Hindi that is second rate and doesn't get a look in.
http://www.haveliheritage.net
Something to be proud of!!
http://www.haveliheritage.net
Something to be proud of!!
http://punjabizm.com/viewCommunity.php?commId=5
I thought, relevant
http://punjabizm.com/viewCommunity.php?commId=5
I thought, relevant
the landmark of prosperity………. ??????
the landmark of prosperity………. ??????
Well Said Dosanjh!!
Well Said Dosanjh!!
I wonder if there is any merit in promoting Punjabi as talked about by msing in his post 'Nemo – Punjabi Style'
at
http://m-singh.blogspot.com/2005/12/nemo-punjabi-…
I wonder if there is any merit in promoting Punjabi as talked about by msing in his post 'Nemo – Punjabi Style'
at
http://m-singh.blogspot.com/2005/12/nemo-punjabi-…
Interesting discussion sought to be hijacked by those like Paramjit who seek to push their own agenda rather than discuss the issue. Pity.
Regarding the future of Punjabi:
1. Punjabi is based on Pali – a language that is virtually dead in India but flourishing in Sri Lanka.
2. When the Gurus devised the Gurmukhi script, only they could read and write it – they put in place systems which enabled millions to speak, read and write the language. We need to keep in mind that the millions the Gurus enabled to speak, read and write the language were those who had been banned for generations from learning to read or write any language.
3. In the post-1947 Punjab, it was by design that the most promising writers of Punjabi language were identified and sent to Moscow for indoctrination. I was tapped by one such "recruiter" when I won an essay competition while still to appear in my Matriculation exam. As Mewa Singh pointed out, even when people perceived writers like Mohan Singh to be of leftist views, they were not able to stop them from believing in Waheguru.
4. The damage to Punjabi language is not fatal. But it has the potential to prove fatal if corrective steps are not take – and I see steps being taken everywhere, especially through self-critical look by former "comrades" like Surjit Patar through their writings.
5. An area that needs active look into is to use the principles of word-formation to expand Punjabi vocabulary to reflect modern terms (like computer, laptop, etc.) and modern experiences (like bullying, teen angst, etc.). In this regard, I find Harinder Sing Mehboob's work greatly inspiring.
We need to learn to concentrate on the language and leave the philosophical disagreements about what is written in that language out of it. Essentially what we need is a linguist of Noam Chomsky's calibre to take a fresh look at what is happening to Punjabi language.
Interesting discussion sought to be hijacked by those like Paramjit who seek to push their own agenda rather than discuss the issue. Pity.
Regarding the future of Punjabi:
1. Punjabi is based on Pali – a language that is virtually dead in India but flourishing in Sri Lanka.
2. When the Gurus devised the Gurmukhi script, only they could read and write it – they put in place systems which enabled millions to speak, read and write the language. We need to keep in mind that the millions the Gurus enabled to speak, read and write the language were those who had been banned for generations from learning to read or write any language.
3. In the post-1947 Punjab, it was by design that the most promising writers of Punjabi language were identified and sent to Moscow for indoctrination. I was tapped by one such "recruiter" when I won an essay competition while still to appear in my Matriculation exam. As Mewa Singh pointed out, even when people perceived writers like Mohan Singh to be of leftist views, they were not able to stop them from believing in Waheguru.
4. The damage to Punjabi language is not fatal. But it has the potential to prove fatal if corrective steps are not take – and I see steps being taken everywhere, especially through self-critical look by former "comrades" like Surjit Patar through their writings.
5. An area that needs active look into is to use the principles of word-formation to expand Punjabi vocabulary to reflect modern terms (like computer, laptop, etc.) and modern experiences (like bullying, teen angst, etc.). In this regard, I find Harinder Sing Mehboob's work greatly inspiring.
We need to learn to concentrate on the language and leave the philosophical disagreements about what is written in that language out of it. Essentially what we need is a linguist of Noam Chomsky's calibre to take a fresh look at what is happening to Punjabi language.