Punjabi is the 11th most popular language in the world. The Gurumukhi language follows the Devanagri script that flourished 17th century onwards. The deeply religious Punjabis believed that the father of the original Punjabi script was none other than the revered Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak.
The fifth Guru, Arjun Dev was credited with the compilation of the holy Adi Grantha or Grantha Sahib, the Bible of the Sikhs. However the script was not pure Punjabi. It was the tenth and the final Guru, Guru Govind Singh who authored the Punjabi text Candi-di-Var.
Punjabi language has been split following India’s partition into India and Pakistan. Language experts claim Lahndi is the Punjabi dialect spoken in Pakistan. Besides Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu and the universally acclaimed English are the languages that are spoken in Punjab.
According to the Punjabi University, Patiala, the other dialects spoken by the local citizens include:
- Bhattiani
- Rathi
- Malwai
- Powadhi
- Pahari
- Doabi
- Kangri
- Chambiali
- Dogri
- Wajeerawadi
- Baar di Boli
- Jangli
- Jatki
- Chenavri
- Multani
- Bhawalpuri
- Thalochri
- Thali
- Bherochi
- Lahore-gujranwala
- Kachi
- Awankari
- Dhani
- Ghebi
- Hindko
- Swaen
- Chacchi
- Pothohari
- Punchi
