The Writing and Numeral System of the Punjabi Language: An In-depth Overview

Introduction

Punjabi is an Indo-Aryan language predominantly spoken in the Punjab regions of India and Pakistan. It has an estimated 125 million native speakers, making it the 10th most widely spoken language globally. The language has two primary scripts: Gurmukhi, used mainly in India, and Shahmukhi, an Urdu script variant used primarily in Pakistan. This article aims to explore the writing and numeral systems of Punjabi in detail, highlighting the nuances and complexities of each.

Writing Systems

Gurmukhi Script

The Gurmukhi script is a syllabic alphabet and is the most commonly used script for writing Punjabi in India. Originating from the Śāradā scripts, Gurmukhi was standardized by Guru Angad Dev Ji, the second Guru of Sikhism, in the 16th century.

Characters and Structure

• The Gurmukhi script consists of 41 consonants and 11 vowel diacritics.
• The basic unit is the akhar, which can represent a single consonant, a consonant with a dependent vowel sign, or an independent vowel.
• A line called ਮਾਤਰਾ (mātrā) is drawn at the top of the words to connect letters, similar to the headline in Devanagari script.

Diacritics

• Vowels in Gurmukhi are diacritic symbols, written around the consonants they modify.
• Gurmukhi also has other diacritical marks, like bindi and tippi, to indicate nasalization.

Shahmukhi Script

Shahmukhi is primarily used in Pakistan and is derived from the Persian alphabet, which in turn is derived from the Arabic script.

Characters and Structure

• The Shahmukhi alphabet consists of 38 letters.
• Unlike Gurmukhi, it is written from right to left.
• Short vowels are usually not marked in writing, while long vowels are represented by distinct letters.

Diacritics

• Various diacritical marks are used to differentiate letters that represent similar sounds.

Transliteration and Transcription

There have been several attempts to transliterate Punjabi between its two scripts. The primary difficulty lies in the fact that some sounds exist in one dialect and script but not in another.

Numeral System

Gurmukhi Numerals

• Gurmukhi numerals, also known as ‘Punjabi numbers,’ are the numeral system used in the Gurmukhi script.
• These numerals are similar to Devanagari numerals but have some distinct shapes for numbers like 4, 5, and 6.

Arabic Numerals in Shahmukhi

• In Shahmukhi, the Arabic numeral system is used.
• The Arabic numeral system is also employed in scientific and mathematical activities in Punjabi regions in India.

Pronunciation and Structure

• In both scripts, the structure of the numbers follows a decimal format.
• Cardinal numbers in Punjabi share similarities with other Indo-Aryan languages.
• Ordinal numbers are generally formed by adding the suffix “-vāṁ” to the cardinal number.

Historical Evolution

The history of Punjabi’s writing systems is deeply tied to its religious and regional divisions. Gurmukhi has been predominantly used by Sikhs and is taught in gurdwaras, while Shahmukhi has historical and cultural ties to Islamic literature.

Conclusion

The Punjabi language boasts a unique characteristic not often seen in other languages: the co-existence of two distinct scripts. Both Gurmukhi and Shahmukhi offer a rich tapestry of cultural, historical, and religious facets of the Punjabi people. The numeral systems, although varying in appearance between the two scripts, maintain a decimal structure inherent to the Indo-Aryan languages. Understanding the writing and numeral systems of Punjabi provides essential insights into the language’s complexities and the people who speak it.