Will Punjabi language arise from the flames Like a Phoenix?

[shaheediyan]

http://www.sikhspectrum.com/112007/punjabi.htm

Will Punjabi language arise from the flames Like a Phoenix?

Rupinderpal Singh Dhillon

It is being noticed that English has overtaken the Punjabi language and so have Hindi and Urdu. There is a strong chance that the language will perish within 50 years in its homeland. What makes this scenario more sad is the knowledge that Punjabis themselves are to be blamed for it. It was hoped that as the second most spoken language in the UK and the sixth in Canada, something positive would come of it, but this does not seem to be the case.

I wrote Neela Noor primarily as a novel in Punjabi for the second and third generation born in the UK, so they would have something to relate to. The grand idea was that they would learn Gurumukhi and create their own literature. It seems that this was a fallacy on my part. Although the book has enjoyed some degree of success, yet it is insignificant. Only today I spoke about it to Amarjit Chandan, who was bemused by my naivety. He suggested I should forget my novice novel since only a miracle can get Punjabis to read even the most grammatically well written Punjabi literature. Jaggi Kussa felt that if Punjabis had the same reading culture as the Europeans, no Punjabi writer would starve, and some would even become millionaires.

Although Sikhs want their children to retain love for Sikhism, it is whittling due to the lack of investment in spreading Punjabi education. The new generation only knows bhangra and are losing all but the external aspects of their culture and religion fast. It is easier to write our experiences in English but it only enriches English. Our lack of enthusiasm seems to be the final nail in the coffin of Punjabi. It would not be so bad, if it was not already happening in Punjab where economic necessity has begun to kill the language. Would an Englishman ever do that to his own language? Or would a Frenchman treat his language the way Punjabis do? Never. Despite English sweeping the world the French stick to defending their mother tongue.

Islam does not require Punjabi, so it affects it less, but those Muslims of Punjabi origin are losing the battle at a quicker rate than the Indian Sikhs. Ishtiaq Ahmed has suggested that Punjabi identity could be restored by writing in the internationally used Latin alphabet. But surely this alphabet has some weaknesses?

In this age of Internet some would argue that Sikhism does not need Punjabi and English can guide Sikh children. But surely this misses the point? When the Bible was translated from its original Hebrew it lost so much of its meaning.

One hopes that those studying Punjabi in the West will take up the challenge and preserve what they can of the language. If young children in the West fail to, some day, use Gurumukhi to write their own stories and experiences then it is pointless teaching them “oorhaa aarhaa†and the extended Punjabi alphabet. One might as well use Latin. Punjabi is the thirteenth most spoken language in the world, yet the only major language with a weak literature and useless readership. Is money the be all and end all for Punjabis?

Parent's Fault

I Write In English, But Never Really Happy

I Write In Punjabi, Considered Really Crappy.

My Heart Pines For A Language Lost,

Can Speak, Not Write, Is The Cost.

With Good Intentions Wrote A Book

Had Recipe, But No Ingredients To Cook.

I Don't Want To See Ma Boli Die,

Sahit Severed, A Generation Is To Cry.

Our Voice Will Have To Fit The New Tongue,

The Old Words Can Only Be Sung.

Let Those Born There Preserve,

What We Can We Will Reserve.

Copyright ©2007 Rupinderpal Singh Dhillon. About The Author

[dalsingh101]

Had to bump this up.

Anyone care to share thoughts on the current state of Panjabi?

[DSG]

Hi

I'll share with you the experience we had when we went to India in February. I'm only focusing on one village in Panjab i.e. Jandialla near Jallandhar.

Quite a while back in this village there was only one Gurudawara which was run by SGPC and was quite a historical Gurudawara( Raiee anna Gurudawara ) and all locals use to go there. Then different communities started fighting ( jaat paath issues / caste issues) then people from different castes started to make their own Gurudwaras ( Today there are many jaat paath Gurudwara in jandialla i.e ravi daas , baal meeki, jatt , ramgarhia etc..)

Today only a few people go to the gurudawara to which there jaat is assocaited with, gurudawaras are empty , the Giani in the morning on their loud speakers recite Japji Sahib , 4-5 Gurudawara doing this simultaneously is something NOT to hear.

Theres one Gurudawara where my parents built based on the request of the community as locals were fighting due to power related issues and personal feuds.

Today the Gur Sikh dping selfless service at this Gurudawara , a true Gur Sikh he is , partially sighted wants to get the youngsters together at this Gurudawara. He explains Gurbani to the youngsters , gets them involved in seva , takes them on trips to Hari mandar sahib, hazoor sahib etc..

He is such a passionate sincere man , whilst we were there he got together about 10 youngsters so our views can be shared with them regarding the benefits of Seva, sikhi etc..

People like this need support , these youngsters want to learn Gurbani , want to learn kirtan but theres no facilities, no funding , no real incentive for the youngsters to go to the gurudawara. Theres this one family who are stopping the local community getting together , people are scared of this family , they have been involved in burgularies,fights, terrorising the locals, been in jail ( not served their full sentence are back out in the community ( how ? due to their contacts with the so called leaders who are corrupt )

The Gur Sikh is doing his utmost best to get these youngsters into the Gurudawara , one good point he made was that when "we" we as in people from UK,USA,CANADA etc.. visit we should do a community program in the Gurudawara , talk to the locals , encourage them support them , give them a sense of motivation. Provide facilities for example Panjabi teachers , music teachers for X amount of years , then the rest the Gur Sikh will do his best to get the youngsters to learn. The hardest part is continuously motivating the youngsters to a point that they want to come to the Gurudawara of their own accord.

I think if facilities are provided , the youngsters will go and learn , do seva but its all about having that regular interaction and funding so that the Gurudawara can be self sufficient .

[chatanga1]

Will Punjabi language arise from the flames Like a Phoenix?

If you put the efffort in, then you will see results. Most Gurdwaras in UK do have panjabi classes but they are mainly (from what i've seen) geared towards producing gcse and a-levels, and nothing beyond.

There is no study of panjabi literature at all. For adults, the only panjabi literature they may get close to are the historic sikh texts, which ironically aren't even panjabi ie panth parkash, suraj prakash.

I did try to start up a reading club at the local gurdwara, where if there was interest, I wanted to look at some old Sikh texts like Kavi Kankan's and move onto bigger things. Advertised it for best part of a year, but absolutely no-one was interested.

So at the mo, i can't see this phoenix rising.

[Kulsingh5]

Punjabi language, great language but sadly the last greatest writer of Punjabi literature was Shiv Kumar Batalvi, in my opinion.

Edited September 3, 2014 by Kulsingh5

[dalsingh101]

I'm going to buy some Roop Dhillon books.

I do like reading (and trying to translate) older 'classical' stuff but I'm under no illusion - that has a VERY limited appeal to the wider community.

I'd like to read more creative stuff in Panjabi but sadly most modern books seem to be what Roop described as 'pendu navel gazing'.

[dalsingh101]

Question, is this concern about Punjabi or Gurmukhi? if it is about the Punjabi language, then encourage punjabi books to be pusblished in devnagari too. you would get huge Punjabi readership which can read devnagari in states like haryana, Himachal, delhi, Rajsthan, UP etc.

With technology today, transliterating from Gurmukhi to Devnagari would be the easiest thing in the world. I know a Gurmukhi to English software 'transliterator' already exists - so I wouldn't be surprised if the software to transliterate into devnagari exists already. Gurpreet Lehal of Panjab University in Patiala is a specialist in these things.

[Kulsingh5]

Aaho Pakistani sulle te red carpet biccha ke wait kar rehe kaddon druggie Jat aave te Lahore osde havale kariya. same loser who could not establish his farcical Khalistan in even one Punjab district. Punjabi non-jats and bahadur desh bhagat Jattan ne jo tuhada haal kitta kiddan bhul gaye? haale taq kurlande firde ho kaddi Indira nu gallan, kaddi KPS nu. Get over your wet dreams. go and plan shaam dee daru kithon auni.

LOL !!! This stuff is classic. Spot on.

[chatanga1]

Question, is this concern about Punjabi or Gurmukhi? if it is about the Punjabi language, then encourage punjabi books to be pusblished in devnagari too. you would get huge Punjabi readership which can read devnagari in states like haryana, Himachal, delhi, Rajsthan, UP etc.

This is the fourth or fifth positive thing you have said, since plaguing this forum. Well done.

[dalsingh101]

This is the fourth or fifth positive thing you have said, since plaguing this forum. Well done.

If you had a normal IQ, you might be able to see other valid aspects of criticism too... but.....

But well done for getting this far, must have been hard <friendly pat on shoulder>

Edited September 13, 2014 by dalsingh101

[chatanga1]

If you had a normal IQ, you might be able to see other valid aspects of criticism too... but.....

But well done for getting this far, must have been hard <friendly pat on shoulder>

Oh I saw it all right, and I agreed with the idiot for once. But thanks for the pat and ahem, praise. Now run along.

[dalsingh101]

I think maybe what needs to be asked is whether Panjabis will CREATE new literature that appeals to the modern mind. Historical literature is all well and good (and you all know how I love it) but still, it hardly compels or enthuses the average Joe to read.

Plus upping the percentage of literacy in Panjabi (whether in Gurmukhi, Shahmukhi or Devnagri) in the diaspora plays a big role too. The fact that only one guy raised outside (Roop Dhillon) is writing says a lot. The stuff from back home is usually boring.

Writers have to eat too but if they can't make a decent living from it - can we really expect a phoenix like rise?

[dalsingh101]

I'll cut right to it

The day a bahman can say 1% of this stuff to a Jatt face, is day I'll consider you above duggu forum trolls.

I'll cut to it too:

The day you can perform your 'kharku' badman act in Panjab. Or come outside of Canada and talk your low IQ shit, I'd take you for something more than a peasant clown whose nurse has forgotten to administer his Temazepam.

Wudda aiya.

Until then, you're just another race giving us women.

Funny, sullay say the same about Sikhs here - that includes PLENTY of juttis just so you know.

Fudhu Kharku fantacist....... now you're a kharku when all the fightings stopped. Go, sod off to Panjab and show us how bad-arse you are instead of acting tough on the internet.

See how quickly one off your own jut brothers will be beating you senseless in a police station - or stitching you up with bombs.

Edited September 22, 2014 by dalsingh101

[aksantali]

Which haal,

Won't get into Pakistan Bhutto saving you.

Won't get into your casualties at Bluestar either.

I'll cut right to it

The day a bahman can say 1% of this stuff to a Jatt face, is day I'll consider you above duggu forum trolls.

Until then, you're just another race giving us women.

ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕਾ ਖਾਲਸਾ | ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫਤਹਿ | |

change your name please you disgrace the name kharku you piece of shit. Also i dare you to go to punjab and talk like that you internet warrior. Assholes like you give the rest of us a bad name.

Edited September 22, 2014 by aksantali

[Kulsingh5]

I do, and Jattis are not with Muslims we both know that.

Duggu you're not in a position to say anything. We confer judgement, you are below.

I can't find the other thread, where you said gurus wanted an egalitarian society.

The world already is egalitarian, you can gain force and take control.

You, are looking for a handout.

My iq is not low lol

Ak not even santali, I won't say anything. You'll have to be on the same side, when the time comes.

ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕਾ ਖਾਲਸਾ | ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫਤਹਿ | |

When the time comes? for what ? You to get some help.

[dalsingh101]

When the time comes? for what ? You to get some help.

He shows classic signs of mental health issues:

Illusions of grandeur with supremacist thinking, an inability to form cogent arguments. Trying to hold diametrically opposed threads of thought together (on one hand he is a hate filled casteist, on the other he acts as if he is some sort of defender of Sikhi....)

Usually people like this are put on some sort of psychotropic drugs to calm them down. lol

On another note, other people should notice that the underlying premises of his 'ideas' aren't anything unique. They are a consequence of a strain of jut culture which encourages/fosters this type of fudhu thinking. This fudhu has just grabbed the ball and is running with it in vehemence. There ARE others who hold similar views but have been forced to tone down their overt expressions of it - this guy is too dumb to do that though - but thankfully he gives an insight into the of type mentality out there in certain quarters.

This should open the eyes of all, including those juts who try and play down or hide the existence of this type of mentality amongst themselves.