Punjabi, an Indo-Aryan language, is predominantly spoken in the Punjab region of India and Pakistan. The script used for Punjabi in India is Gurmukhi, which is distinct from the Shahmukhi script used in Pakistan. This guide focuses on the Gurmukhi script.

Overview of the Punjabi Gurmukhi Alphabet

• Script Type: Abugida
• Number of Letters: 43 letters (ਅ – ੜ), with additional vowel bearers and diacritics
• Unique Features: The Gurmukhi script is written from left to right and includes standalone vowel characters.

Detailed Breakdown of the Gurmukhi Alphabet

Vowels (Laga Matra)

The Gurmukhi script has 10 vowel symbols, which are used with vowel bearers when they don’t accompany a consonant.

1. ਅ (A)

   • Pronunciation: Like ‘u’ in “but.”
   • Example Word: “ਅਤੇ” (ate) – meaning “And”

2. ਆ (Ā)

   • Pronunciation: Like ‘a’ in “arm.”
   • Example Word: “ਆਮ” (ām) – meaning “Mango”

3. ਇ (I)

   • Pronunciation: Like ‘i’ in “bit.”
   • Example Word: “ਇਕ” (ik) – meaning “One”

4. ਈ (Ī)

   • Pronunciation: Like ‘ee’ in “see.”
   • Example Word: “ਈਸ਼ਵਰ” (īshwar) – meaning “God”

5. ਉ (U)

   • Pronunciation: Like ‘u’ in “put.”
   • Example Word: “ਉਲੂ” (ulū) – meaning “Owl”

6. ਊ (Ū)

   • Pronunciation: Like ‘oo’ in “food.”
   • Example Word: “ਊਨ” (ūn) – meaning “Wool”

7. ਏ (E)

   • Pronunciation: Like ‘e’ in “bed.”
   • Example Word: “ਏਕ” (ek) – meaning “Alone”

8. ਐ (Ai)

   • Pronunciation: Like ‘a’ in “bat” with a stress.
   • Example Word: “ਐਤਵਾਰ” (aitvār) – meaning “Sunday”

9. ਓ (O)

   • Pronunciation: Like ‘o’ in “more.”
   • Example Word: “ਓਸ” (os) – meaning “Dew”

10. ਔ (Au)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘ow’ in “cow.”
    • Example Word: “ਔਰਤ” (aurat) – meaning “Woman”

Consonants

There are 33 consonants in Gurmukhi, each representing a unique sound.

1. ਕ (Ka)

   • Pronunciation: Like ‘k’ in “kite.”
   • Example Word: “ਕਮਲ” (kamal) – meaning “Lotus”

2. ਖ (Kha)

   • Pronunciation: Aspirated ‘k,’ like ‘k’ in “khan.”
   • Example Word: “ਖੇਤ” (khet) – meaning “Field”

3. ਗ (Ga)

   • Pronunciation: Like ‘g’ in “go.”
   • Example Word: “ਗਾਣਾ” (gāṇā) – meaning “Song”

4. ਘ (Gha)

   • Pronunciation: Aspirated ‘g,’ like ‘gh’ in “ghost.”
   • Example Word: “ਘਰ” (ghar) – meaning “House”

5. ਙ (Ṅa)

   • Pronunciation: Nasal sound, like ‘ng’ in “singer.”
   • Example Word: “ਸਿੰਙ” (siṅg) – meaning “Horn”

6. ਚ (Cha)

   • Pronunciation: Like ‘ch’ in “church.”
   • Example Word: “ਚਾਚਾ” (chāchā) – meaning “Uncle”

7. ਛ (Chha)

   • Pronunciation: Aspirated ‘ch,’ like ‘ch’ in “church” with a puff of air.
   • Example Word: “ਛੱਤ” (chhat) – meaning “Roof”

8. ਜ (Ja)

   • Pronunciation: Like ‘j’ in “jug.”
   • Example Word: “ਜਮੀਨ” (jamīn) – meaning “Land”

9. ਝ (Jha)

   • Pronunciation: Aspirated ‘j,’ like ‘j’ in “judge” with a puff of air.
   • Example Word: “ਝੰਡਾ” (jhaṇḍā) – meaning “Flag”

10. ਞ (Ña)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘ny’ in “canyon.”
    • Example Word: “ਕਾਂ” (kāñ) – meaning “Ear”

11. ਟ (Ṭa)

    • Pronunciation: Retroflex, like ‘t’ in “star” with the tongue curled back.
    • Example Word: “ਟਮਾਟਰ” (ṭamāṭar) – meaning “Tomato”

12. ਠ (Ṭha)

    • Pronunciation: Retroflex and aspirated, like ‘t’ in “tophat.”
    • Example Word: “ਠੰਡਾ” (ṭhaṇḍā) – meaning “Cold”

13. ਡ (Ḍa)

    • Pronunciation: Retroflex, like ‘d’ in “dark” with the tongue curled back.
    • Example Word: “ਡਰ” (ḍar) – meaning “Fear”

14. ਢ (Ḍha)

    • Pronunciation: Retroflex and aspirated, like ‘d’ in “adhere.”
    • Example Word: “ਢੋਲ” (ḍhol) – meaning “Drum”

15. ਣ (Ṇa)

    • Pronunciation: Retroflex nasal, like ‘n’ in “canyon” with the tongue curled back.
    • Example Word: “ਸਾਂਣ” (sāṇ) – meaning “Year”

16. ਤ (Ta)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘t’ in “tea.”
    • Example Word: “ਤਾਰਾ” (tārā) – meaning “Star”

17. ਥ (Tha)

    • Pronunciation: Aspirated ‘t,’ like ‘th’ in “thanks.”
    • Example Word: “ਥੋੜਾ” (thoṛā) – meaning “Little”

18. ਦ (Da)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘d’ in “dog.”
    • Example Word: “ਦਵਾਈ” (davā’ī) – meaning “Medicine”

19. ਧ (Dha)

    • Pronunciation: Aspirated ‘d,’ like ‘dh’ in “adhere.”
    • Example Word: “ਧਰਤੀ” (dhartī) – meaning “Earth”

20. ਨ (Na)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘n’ in “nice.”
    • Example Word: “ਨਾਮ” (nām) – meaning “Name”

21. ਪ (Pa)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘p’ in “pot.”
    • Example Word: “ਪਾਣੀ” (pāṇī) – meaning “Water”

22. ਫ (Pha)

    • Pronunciation: Aspirated ‘p,’ like ‘ph’ in “uphill.”
    • Example Word: “ਫਲ” (phal) – meaning “Fruit”

23. ਬ (Ba)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘b’ in “bat.”
    • Example Word: “ਬਸ” (bas) – meaning “Bus”

24. ਭ (Bha)

    • Pronunciation: Aspirated ‘b,’ like ‘bh’ in “abhor.”
    • Example Word: “ਭਾਈ” (bhā’ī) – meaning “Brother”

25. ਮ (Ma)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘m’ in “man.”
    • Example Word: “ਮਾਤਾ” (mātā) – meaning “Mother”

26. ਯ (Ya)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘y’ in “yes.”
    • Example Word: “ਯਾਰ” (yār) – meaning “Friend”

27. ਰ (Ra)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘r’ in “run.”
    • Example Word: “ਰੁੱਖ” (rukkh) – meaning “Tree”

28. ਲ (La)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘l’ in “love.”
    • Example Word: “ਲੋਕ” (lok) – meaning “People”

29. ਵ (Va)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘v’ in “van.”
    • Example Word: “ਵੱਖਰਾ” (vakkhrā) – meaning “Different”

30. ਸ਼ (Sha)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘sh’ in “shun.”
    • Example Word: “ਸ਼ਹਿਰ” (shahar) – meaning “City”

31. ਸ (Sa)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘s’ in “sun.”
    • Example Word: “ਸੱਪ” (sapp) – meaning “Snake”

32. ਹ (Ha)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘h’ in “hat.”
    • Example Word: “ਹੱਥ” (hatth) – meaning “Hand”

33. ੜ (ṛa)

    • Pronunciation: Retroflex ‘r,’ like ‘r’ in “dark” with the tongue curled back.
    • Example Word: “ੜੱਬ” (ṛabb) – meaning “Puddle”

Diacritics

Diacritics are used to modify the sound of the consonants. For example:

• ਕਾ (Kā): ‘ਕ’ with a diacritic for ‘ā.’
• ਕਿ (Ki): ‘ਕ’ with a diacritic for ‘i.’

Pronunciation Tips

• Aspirated Consonants: Pay attention to aspirated consonants like ਖ (kha), ਘ (gha).
• Nasal Sounds: Nasal consonants like ਙ (ṅa) and ਞ (ña) are pronounced with nasal resonance.
• Tone and Stress: Punjabi is a tonal language, so the tone can change the meaning of words.

Practice Exercises

• Listening and Speaking: Practice with audio resources and repeat the pronunciations.
• Writing Practice: Write down each letter and word examples to get familiar with the script.
• Reading Practice: Start with simple texts to familiarize yourself with the alphabet in use.

Additional Resources

• Language Learning Apps: Look for apps that specialize in Punjabi.
• Online Courses and Tutorials: Many websites and YouTube channels offer lessons in Punjabi.
• Language Exchange: Interact with native speakers for practical experience.

Conclusion

Understanding the Punjabi Gurmukhi alphabet is crucial for effective communication in the language. Regular practice in speaking, listening, reading, and writing will lead to proficiency and a deeper appreciation of the rich cultural and literary heritage of the Punjabi-speaking community.