“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””
@Dosanjh
Perhaps you can give an example of tonemes from Punjabi language? I am no linguist but for a language to be tonal, two words have to be written the same but spoken differently for two different meanings. As far as I know, Punjabi is written exactly like it is spoken – "adhak", "horha", "kanaurha", etc. make sure that we are bale to write it the way we speak it.
An example will definitely be helpful, especially as comparison with Chinese languages seems misplaced.
@Dosanjh
Perhaps you can give an example of tonemes from Punjabi language? I am no linguist but for a language to be tonal, two words have to be written the same but spoken differently for two different meanings. As far as I know, Punjabi is written exactly like it is spoken – "adhak", "horha", "kanaurha", etc. make sure that we are bale to write it the way we speak it.
An example will definitely be helpful, especially as comparison with Chinese languages seems misplaced.
Akali Phoola Singh, Please note that I’m just an ordinary cockney fella that has a great pride and interest in Punjabi but nowhere near the level of knowledge that you possess. If anything, I’d like to learn from your thoughts…..so I plead maafi if what I think to be correct is infact incorrect. You mentioned the fact that a tonal language must be written the same but spoken differently. If thats the case then my theory will probably fall flat on its face, but my examples would be thus :
With the assumtion that there are 3 tones in Punjabi:
1) low tone = kohra = horse
middle tone = kora = whip
high tone = khora = leper
2) low tone = cha = peep
middle tone = cha = desire
high tone = cha = tea
These words may well be spelt differently but if they were said in one standard flat tone then then all 3 words would be confused togather. It is only the tone in which they are said that tells us what the person is trying to tell us.
Akali Phoola Singh, Please note that I’m just an ordinary cockney fella that has a great pride and interest in Punjabi but nowhere near the level of knowledge that you possess. If anything, I’d like to learn from your thoughts…..so I plead maafi if what I think to be correct is infact incorrect. You mentioned the fact that a tonal language must be written the same but spoken differently. If thats the case then my theory will probably fall flat on its face, but my examples would be thus :
With the assumtion that there are 3 tones in Punjabi:
1) low tone = kohra = horse
middle tone = kora = whip
high tone = khora = leper
2) low tone = cha = peep
middle tone = cha = desire
high tone = cha = tea
These words may well be spelt differently but if they were said in one standard flat tone then then all 3 words would be confused togather. It is only the tone in which they are said that tells us what the person is trying to tell us.
@Dosanjh
The advantage of Gurmukhi alphabet over others is that it is ordered according to the part of the mouth used to speak a letter. Excepting the first and the last line of Gurmukhi alphabet, each line contains only letters which use the same parts of the mouth, thus making it easier to learn and remember. It was this order which was later also adopted by the Devnagri script. It is also important to remember that Guru Angad gave the Gurmukhi alphabet this order as Guru Nanak's "Patti" bani uses a different order as does Bhagat Kabir's "Patti" which has more letters than the Gurmukhi alphabet.
@Dosanjh
The advantage of Gurmukhi alphabet over others is that it is ordered according to the part of the mouth used to speak a letter. Excepting the first and the last line of Gurmukhi alphabet, each line contains only letters which use the same parts of the mouth, thus making it easier to learn and remember. It was this order which was later also adopted by the Devnagri script. It is also important to remember that Guru Angad gave the Gurmukhi alphabet this order as Guru Nanak's "Patti" bani uses a different order as does Bhagat Kabir's "Patti" which has more letters than the Gurmukhi alphabet.
@ Roop
I read some of your poetry from your collection "Beghar Baagh". Some of it is wonderfully quirky. Without taking anything away from your writings – you do need a good editor. Uniqueness of an idiom is only part of the merit of any creative work. If you are not taking care to follow the basic rules of the language, it can create an unwelcome impression that any writer will be hard-pressed to overcome. For example, each cook is at liberty to put as much chillies in daal as they wish or add onions, garlic, cummin seeds, etc to give it their unique flavour. But if one tinkers with the salt content, all embellishments come to nought. And if one gets a stone in a mouthfull of daal it destroys the reputation of the cook even if it was the best daal one ever tasted.
@ Roop
I read some of your poetry from your collection "Beghar Baagh". Some of it is wonderfully quirky. Without taking anything away from your writings – you do need a good editor. Uniqueness of an idiom is only part of the merit of any creative work. If you are not taking care to follow the basic rules of the language, it can create an unwelcome impression that any writer will be hard-pressed to overcome. For example, each cook is at liberty to put as much chillies in daal as they wish or add onions, garlic, cummin seeds, etc to give it their unique flavour. But if one tinkers with the salt content, all embellishments come to nought. And if one gets a stone in a mouthfull of daal it destroys the reputation of the cook even if it was the best daal one ever tasted.
@Akali Ji
For example, I really want to ensure this kahani is full proof correct before publishing, and have asked many people on this website to help me fix it, highlight errors…I get lots of vaah vaahs, but only a few suggest.
Would you be willing to help fix it?
http://www.punjabizm.com/forums-mulakat-whole-dra…
@Akali Ji
For example, I really want to ensure this kahani is full proof correct before publishing, and have asked many people on this website to help me fix it, highlight errors…I get lots of vaah vaahs, but only a few suggest.
Would you be willing to help fix it?
http://www.punjabizm.com/forums-mulakat-whole-dra…
Sher Singh mainoo teray comments disday nahin
Sher Singh mainoo teray comments disday nahin
Pritpal go to first page and click on replies tp kaursach post.
Pritpal go to first page and click on replies tp kaursach post.
@APS
The reasons are not exclusive to Punjabi. The current academic ecosystem in Punjab is not conducive to any scholarship. There may be glimmers of good work here and there but they are an exception rather than the rule, and individual driven. At the same time I have seen some superb work being done in Humanities related to Punjab at the premier universities of the west.
Chairs will be for faculty – not students. These faculty members will then write grants, support doctoral/ post-doctoral work under their guidance.
@APS
The reasons are not exclusive to Punjabi. The current academic ecosystem in Punjab is not conducive to any scholarship. There may be glimmers of good work here and there but they are an exception rather than the rule, and individual driven. At the same time I have seen some superb work being done in Humanities related to Punjab at the premier universities of the west.
Chairs will be for faculty – not students. These faculty members will then write grants, support doctoral/ post-doctoral work under their guidance.
http://punjabizm.com/forums-the-hornet-26356-5-1….
Enjoy!
http://punjabizm.com/forums-the-hornet-26356-5-1….
Enjoy!
I think Punjabi can survive anywhere if the parents think it is important enough to teach. Parents sould only speak Punjabi to their kids until at least the age of 5. This should be the wish of every good Sikh parents: My child is going to kindergarten but can't understand a word of English, because he/she only speaks Punjabi. He/she knows no fairy tales only sakhis. Has seen no cartoons only Vismaad Sikh movies.etc.
Thus punjabi can survive even in the west.
I think Punjabi can survive anywhere if the parents think it is important enough to teach. Parents sould only speak Punjabi to their kids until at least the age of 5. This should be the wish of every good Sikh parents: My child is going to kindergarten but can't understand a word of English, because he/she only speaks Punjabi. He/she knows no fairy tales only sakhis. Has seen no cartoons only Vismaad Sikh movies.etc.
Thus punjabi can survive even in the west.
H S,
THERE ARE NO CONTROVERSIES OR DOUBTS ASSOCIATED WITH GENOCIDE OF MUSLIMS AND SIKHS BY HINDUS..AND MASSACRE OF CHRISTIANS TOO…it wont get clearer than this!!!!
it wont……. than what? get clearer than your hollow words? you asked for one video I gave you one and then you want one more! in return, I asked for this ONE video showing a Hindu leader saying anything against sikhs or sikhi, YOU FAILED and now you are left with nothing but just words.
Sher
H S,
THERE ARE NO CONTROVERSIES OR DOUBTS ASSOCIATED WITH GENOCIDE OF MUSLIMS AND SIKHS BY HINDUS..AND MASSACRE OF CHRISTIANS TOO…it wont get clearer than this!!!!
it wont……. than what? get clearer than your hollow words? you asked for one video I gave you one and then you want one more! in return, I asked for this ONE video showing a Hindu leader saying anything against sikhs or sikhi, YOU FAILED and now you are left with nothing but just words.
Sher
Observer,
There are few points I would like to make here.
Rajiv Gandhi was NOT a Hindu leader and1984 delhi riots were not Hindu-Sikh riots. RG was making this hideous statement as a leader of a political party and also as a distraught son.
secondly, there are over 1000 million hindus in this world and the sikh population should be something around 20 million yet the number of Hindu-bashing leaders is much higher than sikh-hating LEADERS in Hindu community.
i live near a v large 'historic' Gurudwara in punjab and everyday i hear katha vachaks targeting the so-called Hindu high castes in their sermons. in simple words, the hate for Hindus and their religious icons has been gradually institutionalized in sikhism post Op Blue star. Diff story that no gyani would be able to justify such hatred by quoting bani from Granth sahib. As far as I am aware, this hate campaign is a common feature of all Gurudwaras in at least Punjab and adjacent areas.
the extremist, hindu-hating sikh campaigners like Sukhpreet singh Udhoke has not only been giving hate speeches from Punjab but also places like Raipur (Chattisgarh state capital) in central india.
can a hindu zealot hold a function in say amritisar and say even a single word against Sikhs and their beliefs? Here you have sikhs organising whold function dedicated to Hindu-bashing and yet not a single complaint (forget violence) against their small community.
There was a violent protest by sikh extremists against Hindu Jagran samiti (or some other similar name) of swami ashutosh in Ludhiana earlier this year even though the samagam was entirely peaceful and there is no evidence of ashutosh ever saying anything against Sikhi or sikhs. the samagam attended by over 1 lakh people had to be cancelled in the face of violent protests by sikhs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpMG0LMAFqM&fe…
that is just one small example of hindu tolerance.
On the other hand, has anyone heard a single word of criticism for Sikhi, sikh gurus, Granth sahib, etc. by a Hindu preacher. given such a large populace of Hindus, it should be very common.
Mark my words Observer, this is a very dangerous phenomenon which would manifest in violence against Hindus and obvious, sickening retaliation as we witnessed in 1984 in delhi.
in my opinion, Sikh intellectuals and spiritual leaders need to come forward and reverse this hate campaign against everyday Hindus who are a confused lot trying to figure out what crime they have committed against Sikhs or sikhi.
Sher
Observer,
There are few points I would like to make here.
Rajiv Gandhi was NOT a Hindu leader and1984 delhi riots were not Hindu-Sikh riots. RG was making this hideous statement as a leader of a political party and also as a distraught son.
secondly, there are over 1000 million hindus in this world and the sikh population should be something around 20 million yet the number of Hindu-bashing leaders is much higher than sikh-hating LEADERS in Hindu community.
i live near a v large 'historic' Gurudwara in punjab and everyday i hear katha vachaks targeting the so-called Hindu high castes in their sermons. in simple words, the hate for Hindus and their religious icons has been gradually institutionalized in sikhism post Op Blue star. Diff story that no gyani would be able to justify such hatred by quoting bani from Granth sahib. As far as I am aware, this hate campaign is a common feature of all Gurudwaras in at least Punjab and adjacent areas.
the extremist, hindu-hating sikh campaigners like Sukhpreet singh Udhoke has not only been giving hate speeches from Punjab but also places like Raipur (Chattisgarh state capital) in central india.
can a hindu zealot hold a function in say amritisar and say even a single word against Sikhs and their beliefs? Here you have sikhs organising whold function dedicated to Hindu-bashing and yet not a single complaint (forget violence) against their small community.
There was a violent protest by sikh extremists against Hindu Jagran samiti (or some other similar name) of swami ashutosh in Ludhiana earlier this year even though the samagam was entirely peaceful and there is no evidence of ashutosh ever saying anything against Sikhi or sikhs. the samagam attended by over 1 lakh people had to be cancelled in the face of violent protests by sikhs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpMG0LMAFqM&fe…
that is just one small example of hindu tolerance.
On the other hand, has anyone heard a single word of criticism for Sikhi, sikh gurus, Granth sahib, etc. by a Hindu preacher. given such a large populace of Hindus, it should be very common.
Mark my words Observer, this is a very dangerous phenomenon which would manifest in violence against Hindus and obvious, sickening retaliation as we witnessed in 1984 in delhi.
in my opinion, Sikh intellectuals and spiritual leaders need to come forward and reverse this hate campaign against everyday Hindus who are a confused lot trying to figure out what crime they have committed against Sikhs or sikhi.
Sher
Hindus who are a confused lot trying to figure out what crime they have committed against Sikhs or sikhi"
^ Not too clever then are they ? For a start there is not a single Sikh anywhere in the world that hates Hindus. What Sikhs hate is the way that most Hindus have allowed themselves to get sucked up into a Indian nationalist facist mentality….One where it is either their way or the highway.
To make a start though….I suggest they stand in the corner and have a quiet think. Think how when a handfull of hindus got killed in Bombay, not only was the muslim killer (kasab)hanged within a year but they went all out in their investigations and left no stone unturned in bringing anyone even remotely connected to justice. Then, perhaps, these 'hindus' that you speak of can ask themselves why they haven't been active in bringing to justice any of the killers of 10,000 Sikh men, women and tiny babies. How come that injustice doesn't make their blood boil ?
Next, perhaps these Hindus you speak of can ask themselves why, when they are so active and supportive in erasing all signs of British rule in India….i.e reverting monuments, streets and places etc to exactly how they were before the British came…i.e as if the British never came at all…ie Bombay to Mumbhai….Calcutta to Kolkota….Madras to Chennai etc…..Then how come this policy of theirs suddenly comes to a standstill when it comes to reverting Punjab back to exactly what it was before the British came and artificially made it part of India….i.e a fully independant sovereign Sikh nation ?
I suggest therefore, Sher, these 'hindus' you speak of open their eyes and develop some common sense if they're having difficulty seeing the bleedin' obvious. Or…if they're happy in their ignorance…they can always carry on portraying Sikhs as bufoons in their popular media…because everyone likes being portrayed as a bufoon don't they ?
Hindus who are a confused lot trying to figure out what crime they have committed against Sikhs or sikhi"
^ Not too clever then are they ? For a start there is not a single Sikh anywhere in the world that hates Hindus. What Sikhs hate is the way that most Hindus have allowed themselves to get sucked up into a Indian nationalist facist mentality….One where it is either their way or the highway.
To make a start though….I suggest they stand in the corner and have a quiet think. Think how when a handfull of hindus got killed in Bombay, not only was the muslim killer (kasab)hanged within a year but they went all out in their investigations and left no stone unturned in bringing anyone even remotely connected to justice. Then, perhaps, these 'hindus' that you speak of can ask themselves why they haven't been active in bringing to justice any of the killers of 10,000 Sikh men, women and tiny babies. How come that injustice doesn't make their blood boil ?
Next, perhaps these Hindus you speak of can ask themselves why, when they are so active and supportive in erasing all signs of British rule in India….i.e reverting monuments, streets and places etc to exactly how they were before the British came…i.e as if the British never came at all…ie Bombay to Mumbhai….Calcutta to Kolkota….Madras to Chennai etc…..Then how come this policy of theirs suddenly comes to a standstill when it comes to reverting Punjab back to exactly what it was before the British came and artificially made it part of India….i.e a fully independant sovereign Sikh nation ?
I suggest therefore, Sher, these 'hindus' you speak of open their eyes and develop some common sense if they're having difficulty seeing the bleedin' obvious. Or…if they're happy in their ignorance…they can always carry on portraying Sikhs as bufoons in their popular media…because everyone likes being portrayed as a bufoon don't they ?
I know many Punjabi Hindus will jump at it, but I will speak the truth as I see from my eyes and observe things before me in Punjab because I am from Ludhiana.
The majority of Punjabi Hindus have been registering their mother tongue as Hindi in every census time and again. The flood of incoming Hindi speaking and Hinduism following migrants from other states have been a huge rush, and they are contributing to the dilution in Punjabi Language, both spoken and written, and culture with no regrets. This rush of migrants is continuing, both – naturally for better pastures and due to larger propaganda of RSS and Hindu Nationalists to absorb Punjab. The migrants' population is expected to overtake the native Punjabis' in just few years in nearly all big cities. In recent years BJP has gained high grounds in Punjab and its a staunch follower of just Hindi and Hinduism. It will do all its work, functions, official programs etc in Hindi even though its leaders in Punjab are native Punjabis. One of BJP's native Punjabi leader, Laxmi Kant Chawla the health minister, took oath in Hindi when she was elected. Its a story of lot of hypocrisy which is projected with full confidence and sincerity. Then there are highly powerful and influential Hindu godmen like Ashutosh of DJJS, who has his following in lakhs in Punjab, whose discourses are in Hindi and strongly attracts people to Hindu practices and cultures.
So basically if I were to say the above things in gist then the Hindi and Hindu influence, socially, economically and politically has gain lots of grounds due to which native uninformed and gullible Punjabis, particularly Sikhs, have moved towards Hindi and Hinduism. Its a fact. No wonder this obvious reason would incline Punjabi people to demand Khalistan where their language, religion practices and cultures are not vulnerable from Hindi and Hindus. Any religion, culture and language would just not want to be protected, but would also want to be prospered and increase manifold. That is the reason Sant Bhindranwale, if you didn't know this fact about him, also raised awareness about this thing, which normal person would not care about. Listen to his speeches on youtube if you haven't done so. They are very powerful and would awake a sleeping and gullible Punjabi.
I know many Punjabi Hindus will jump at it, but I will speak the truth as I see from my eyes and observe things before me in Punjab because I am from Ludhiana.
The majority of Punjabi Hindus have been registering their mother tongue as Hindi in every census time and again. The flood of incoming Hindi speaking and Hinduism following migrants from other states have been a huge rush, and they are contributing to the dilution in Punjabi Language, both spoken and written, and culture with no regrets. This rush of migrants is continuing, both – naturally for better pastures and due to larger propaganda of RSS and Hindu Nationalists to absorb Punjab. The migrants' population is expected to overtake the native Punjabis' in just few years in nearly all big cities. In recent years BJP has gained high grounds in Punjab and its a staunch follower of just Hindi and Hinduism. It will do all its work, functions, official programs etc in Hindi even though its leaders in Punjab are native Punjabis. One of BJP's native Punjabi leader, Laxmi Kant Chawla the health minister, took oath in Hindi when she was elected. Its a story of lot of hypocrisy which is projected with full confidence and sincerity. Then there are highly powerful and influential Hindu godmen like Ashutosh of DJJS, who has his following in lakhs in Punjab, whose discourses are in Hindi and strongly attracts people to Hindu practices and cultures.
So basically if I were to say the above things in gist then the Hindi and Hindu influence, socially, economically and politically has gain lots of grounds due to which native uninformed and gullible Punjabis, particularly Sikhs, have moved towards Hindi and Hinduism. Its a fact. No wonder this obvious reason would incline Punjabi people to demand Khalistan where their language, religion practices and cultures are not vulnerable from Hindi and Hindus. Any religion, culture and language would just not want to be protected, but would also want to be prospered and increase manifold. That is the reason Sant Bhindranwale, if you didn't know this fact about him, also raised awareness about this thing, which normal person would not care about. Listen to his speeches on youtube if you haven't done so. They are very powerful and would awake a sleeping and gullible Punjabi.
sad..this began about language and literature and has turned into a hate issue with those not proud of punjabi ( Hindu and Muslim) finding excuses for why their adopted languages are better…but sadly tying all with religion…the reason why India will never rise to where China will…
sad..this began about language and literature and has turned into a hate issue with those not proud of punjabi ( Hindu and Muslim) finding excuses for why their adopted languages are better…but sadly tying all with religion…the reason why India will never rise to where China will…