Population 30,000,000 to 45,000,000 in Pakistan (1981 census). Population total all countries 30,000,000 to 45,000,000.
Region Mainly in the Punjab area of Pakistan. Also spoken in Afghanistan, Canada, India, UAE, United Kingdom, USA.
Alternate names WESTERN PUNJABI, LAHNDA, LAHANDA, LAHNDI
Dialects MAJHI.
Classification Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Northwestern zone, Lahnda.
Comments There is a continuum of varieties between Eastern and Western Panjabi, and with Western Hindi and Urdu. ‘Lahnda’ is a name given earlier for Western Panjabi; an attempt to cover the dialect continuum between Hindko, Pahari-Potwari, and Western Panjabi in the north and Sindhi in the south. Grierson said Majhi is the purest form of Panjabi. Several dozen dialects. The Balmiki (Valmiki) sweeper caste in Attock District speak a dialect of Panjabi. Perso-Arabic script used, but not often written in Pakistan. Radio programs, films, TV. Mainly Muslim; Christian. NT 1819-1952.
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*Originally posted by moona: *
The Balmiki (Valmiki) sweeper caste in Attock District speak a dialect of Panjabi.
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Moona, there are barely any Valmikis in Attock, most were non-Muslims that left for India. The few Muslims are more prevalent in the Uk than attock proper. In Attock, most people speak Hindko I don't really consider to be Punjabi, it's rather a hybrid of Pashto-Punjabi, then theres a large group of Potwari (Potohari) speakers. My family speaks Lahori Punjabi, while my extended family (Uncles, Aunts etc) speak Potohari only when their speak betweens themselves.
RF, that is very true. In Attock, a mix of Pushto and Punjabi is spoken in that area. I am well aware of that. This mix of the 2 languages is quite nice though…Hindko-like and sweet-sounding.
& this document has nothing to do with the origins of Punjabi language. It only described the number of dialect, area covered & how many people spoke the language in PK in 1981.
The Origins of Punjabi is around 2000-3000 (may be more) years old.
