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Encyclopedia Article
Most Pakistanis speak at least two languages. A large segment of the population is trilingual, speaking English, Urdu, and an ethnic-based regional language. **Punjabi](http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_762509822/Punjabi.html), Pashto, Sindhi, Baluchi, and Brahui](http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_762511028/Brahui_Language.html) are the major regional languages. These languages have many regional dialects, including Saraiki, a widely spoken dialect of Punjabi.** Regional languages are recognized as a potent force because language and ethnic identity are closely interrelated; even the national census categorizes groups according to their language, rather than their ethnicity.