Learning To Read Write Gurmukhi/panjabi - Tips On Getting Started

[dalsingh101]

Okay, I’ve decided to get this stuff down for anyone seriously interested in learning Panjabi - for once and for all.

That way, those people who periodically pop up on forums with questions regarding those first, tentative but monumentally important steps they should take in order to develop their Panjabi reading/writing language skills, will have something to follow. Plus, it’ll mean I wont have to retype this stuff out again and again in future.

First thing: Before anyone undertakes to learn anything that requires patience and persistence, they must first come to a place where the desire, the pure ‘want’ to learn is deep within them. Fall in love with the idea of yourself knowing Panjabi. Let this sustain you throughout your learning.

I, personally, am a BIG advocate of modern teaching approaches which utilise a person’s existing English skills to help them master Panjabi. I used such an approach to teach a nonPanjabi speaker for about 5 weeks over a summer holiday once, and was astounded at the fast progress. I myself was introduced to the basics of reading the language in the more traditional, ‘rote’ manner, where one first learns the alphabet (through ‘parroting’) and then moves on to increasingly complex words (and sentences) from there. Having been exposed to both modern and traditional approaches, I feel the more modern method allows learners to make faster progress – and is more fun!

The strategy the primer below adopts is to get a learner to understand the sounds associated with the various symbols of the Gurmukhi script (commonly used to write Panjabi) using English words. If this sounds confusing to you, don’t worry, it’ll all become obvious once you start the exercises. English readers should note that unlike the English language, in Panjabi the letters or symbols of the Gurmukhi alphabet only ever correspond to one particular sound. In time you will see the advantages of this over English.

Using the following approach, you will be reading and writing words (even possibly basic sentences) – before you have mastered the complete Gurmukhi alphabet. When you do eventually get to memorising the Gurmukhi alphabet by rote, this method makes that task infinitely easier as you will have already become familiar with some of the letters/symbols of alphabet beforehand.

Okay – are you ready!

Step 1: Download this Panjabi Primer. I swear by it.

Work your way through the first lesson. It’s easy. Give yourself a few hours somewhere quiet to do this. If you need to, briefly have a Panjabi reader read a few words with you to help you get started.

What you will cover REALLY helps to gain an understanding of the relationship between the symbols of the Gurmukhi alphabet and the sound they correspond to. By a few hours you will be able to write some basic English words in the Gurmukhi script. Minimal guidance from someone who knows how to read Gurmukhi can help, but isn’t absolutely necessary for lesson 1. Once you’ve done it and feel comfortable with the symbols and sounds that have been covered, try thinking of other English words you can write with the letters/symbols you’ve learned so far.

Work through the Primer steadily. Every time you start a new lesson, briefly go over what was covered in the last one before hand. Your knowledge will develop incrementally this way.

It might help to use a Panjabi knower to clarify the sounds of the symbols used in lesson 2, when you do start it


Remembering what you’ve learned.



Revisit what you have learned regularly, so that it gets reinforced in your memory. This doesn’t mean spending hours repeating material you’ve already covered. But go back to it, so that you retain your learning. REMEMBER, IT IS ONE THING TO LEARN SOMETHING – AND ANOTHER TO RETAIN THAT LEARNING – so practice frequently (in short bursts) because failing to go over what you have learned with some regularity causes it to diminish from your memory. That’s what we want to avoid, that gradual fading.

A good tip is to have a vocabulary list handy in a small note book, or as an image or file on your mobile phone/laptop. When you have five or ten spare minutes in a day – go over them. Do this on the train to work for example. Or use your ipod/mobile and headphones to play some of videos that are linked to below. This helps firmly establish the material in your mind in a way that doesn’t require too much effort. If you leave revisiting what you have covered for too long, you could easily end up in cycles of having to relearn parts of what you had previously grasped – simply because it has escaped from your memory because of time.

Another good tip is to use a mixture of reading AND writing when you re-cover material. So on one day, simply read the words/symbols you have covered on a prior occasion and on another write them down. This will reinforce the material both visually and kinesthetically, creating more pathways for retrieval from your memory.

Step 2: Once you’ve become comfortable with a few of the lessons in the Primer, it’s time to start learning the alphabet. About the third week after you have started the Primer would be a good time to introduce this into your learning. Start with this video.
 

 

I advise learning one line of the alphabet per week (alongside the material you are covering in the Primer). Note that the video will also help you to build up your Panjabi vocabulary.

Read a line of the alphabet to yourself at least five times, and then write the letters out on a piece of paper. Learning five letters a week, shouldn’t be too taxing. Plus you will already be familar with many of the letters from the exercises you’ve done from the Primer.
You can download a Powerpoint version of the above video which allows you to go through the letters at your own pace using mouse clicks, from here. It's called the 'Panjabi alphabet tutorial' in the presentation section.

Tip: The Gurmukhi alphabet is organised in a very scientific way. I found the video below very handy in highlighting this. It also helped to clarify the otherwise subtle distinctions between different sounds. I strongly advise learners to go through as many times as is neccesary after they have started learning the alphabet. English readers should note how proper tongue placement and aspiration are essential to correct enunciation in Panjabi – and if you don’t understand what this means or if it seems confusing to you, don’t worry, it was the same for me before I watched the video a few times!

 

 

 

 

FAQs.

How often should I study?


As a guide, in a week, I suggest having at least one long session (covering a complete, single lesson from the Primer) and then two subsequent fifteen minute ‘recap sessions’ later in the same week. In these ‘recap’ sessions revisit a representative selection of the example words from the Primer exercises and, later, when you start learning the alphabet, go over some of the lines of the alphabet in each ‘recap session’. Keep these sessions short and focused. In an ideal situation you could have 4 ‘recap’ sessions in addition to your main one, in a week. If you are really keen and inclined to study everyday, I would strongly advise giving yourself at least one day of nonstudy. The brain seems to process certain things in quite a mystical and unconscious way when learning, I’ve found giving yourself short breaks helps with this. But in the final analysis, learn to identify and adopt the strategies that help you to learn in the most efficiently way. Different people find different things helpful.



Where will this get me in terms of language acquisition?


By following the above you will cover the absolute essentials of the written language. By this I mean reading words, and basic sentences.



Where do I go from here?


The answer to the above question will differ according to your grasp of the spoken language. I imagine those wanting to learn the language will broadly come from three types of backgrounds.

 

• In the first will be those who have no, or very little previous knowledge of the language, written or spoken (prior to starting the above). I think the next logical step for such people would be to learn to construct longer sentences in Panjabi. So we’re talking about ‘syntax’ here (or more simply put, the order of words in a sentence). To do this you need to steadily build up your Panjabi vocabulary. As a tip, when you start to do this - making it a habit to pay careful attention to the gender of nouns at the outset will be of great advantage later. Make the effort to do this!

• The second type would have had previous exposure to the spoken language to some degree, say via family circumstances but are not particularly fluent in speaking (a third generation Panjabi in the diaspora for example). Such a person may possess knowledge of at least some of the more rudimentary aspects of the language (like grammar and syntax), even if this understanding is implicit as opposed to explicit. For them I suggest focusing on learning to write what you already know how to speak, or at least hear around you. Take interesting words, phrases and/or sentences you hear around you and learn to write them down. Write down lines from Panjabi songs you like. Supplement this by reading basic books. Translate basic English sentences into Panjabi and vice versa. Make it your goal to know how to read/spell all the Panjabi words you already know, and then add to this vocabulary.

• For those who already had a good command of the spoken language but were previously unable to read and write it, once your reading speed picks up, I would suggest translating brief Panjabi newspaper or Internet articles that interest you, or small sections of books. Free Panjabi newspapers available from Gurdwaras may be of use to you in this. Websites such as Scribd, Siikhbookclun.com, panjabdigitalbrary and apnaorg also carry a wide selection of freely available Gurmukhi Panjabi books. Don’t be overambitious with translation exercises but at the same time make sure you stretch yourself. As a rule each translation exercise should bring a number of previously unknown words to your attention. Write these downs with their definitions in a notebook. This will help expand your Panjabi vocabulary. Start translating one page, then go onto two, and so forth.

 

 

Panjabi dictionaries and typing in Gurmukhi

You can type in Gurmukhi with this site.


Here are two great Panjabi dictionaries you may find useful:

1) Punjabi University, Patiala dictionary

2) Srigranth dictionary


I hope this is of use to some of you. All the best to you and your learning experience. My last piece of advice is to simply get stuck in and enjoy the experience!

 

 

[SURYADEV]

Good work Dalsingh.

You've earned yourself a year in sawarg for this.

[johnyork]

He teaches me. (Present simple tense)

ਉਸਨੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਪੜ੍ਹਾਉਦਾ ਹੈ ।

Is my grammar correct?

[BhagatSingh]

You have to be careful here. Are you trying to say "He teaches me" (as in question: Who teaches you? you point at the teacher and answer "HE teaches me")

OR

are you trying to say "He IS teaching me" (that it is happening right now)? There is a difference.

ਉਹ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਪੜ੍ਹਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ l He teaches me.
ਉਹ ਮੇਨੂੰ ਪੜ੍ਹਾ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ l He is teaching me.

[johnyork]

Good reply Bhagat Singh Ji,

I was looking for the present simple tense, so "He teaches me" was the sentence I was inquiring about. "He is teaching me" is present continious tense.

So the correct sentence should be (1 or 2).

1) ਉਸਨੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਪੜ੍ਹਾਉਦਾ ਹੈ l

2) ਉਹ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਪੜ੍ਹਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ l

So the only thing in question is which form of "he" to use.

1) ਉਸਨੇ

2) ਉਹ

ਉਹ + ਨੇ = ਉਸਨੇ

The reason I use the postposition ਨੇ is because "teach" is a transitive verb and "he" is the nominative in this sentence. However, ਉਹ without ਨੇ would be correct if used with an intransitive verb, such as "speaks". For example, ਉਹ ਬੋਲਦਾ ਹੈ l

I understand ਨੇ can also be used as an emphasizer. However, my reason for adding it was to make my sentence grammatically correct. According to the gramnar rules, the subject of the sentence must have a case marker when it is the agent of a transitive verb.

I am learning though and I may be wrong. Personally, I like the sentence, "ਉਹ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਪੜ੍ਹਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ l" (the one Bhagat Singh Ji suggested)

Maybe the case marker ਨੇ is not applicable here.

[BhagatSingh]

Nope it's not applicable. We can take these sentences and they would still be correct without ਮੈਨੂੰ.

ਉਹ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਪੜ੍ਹਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ l He teaches me. > ਉਹ ਪੜ੍ਹਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ l He teaches.
ਉਹ ਮੇਨੂੰ ਪੜ੍ਹਾ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ l He is teaching me. > ਉਹ ਪੜ੍ਹਾ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ l He is teaching.

Edited March 6, 2013 by BhagatSingh

[dalsingh101]

#Update:

Resources.

[dalsingh101]

Update:

Great blog for new learners, talks of trials and epiphanies of learning Gurmukhi/Panjabi.

http://sohnikaur.tumblr.com/

[dalsingh101]

General tips on learning a second language:

http://www.babbel.com/magazine/10-tips-from-an-expert?slc=engmag-a1-vid-bv1-tipsandtricks-ob

[Jazz Singh]

I would suggest this book very advantageous for llearners and it is -

• Gurmukhi Gian Come To Learn Punjabi -English-punjabi By Dr. Satnam Singh Sandhu

[dalsingh101]

Article on what happens in our brains when we learn a second language:

http://www.theguardian.com/education/2014/sep/04/what-happens-to-the-brain-language-learning

[dalsingh101]

N30, can we make this a sticky?

 

[dalsingh101]

This tool looks like it might be useful for kids (or even some adults). Doesn't look like it costs too much either ($40):

 

 

[Still nascent]

Hello all

This is a  opportunity for all. Especially for kids. 

"Forwarding as received "

 

Waheguruji ka khalsa Waheguruji ki Fateh

*Sikhi Sikhya Gur Vichar*

Sangatji,

Gurusaheb ji's blessings & support from all Sangat, all the volunteers are again ready for a sewa. 21st June, coming Sunday we are planning to start with the gurmat classes, but they are little change in the timings. If you are already a part of the group then it's ok, if somebody new is interested to join please join the group as per the sewa you are interested in. Classes will be only on Sundays on the said time. With every group name the timing is written so please join the whatsApp group as per the sewa you want to be a part of.

1. *Basic's Oral learning for small Kid's* 
Group timing's : *4pm to 5pm*
Volunteers : Bhagatpreet Kaur & Avleen Kaur 

Group Link :-
https://chat.whatsapp.com/GoaL1GollaqJKEYP5aIQEI

 

2. *Basic Oral learning for Small kids.*

Group timing's : *6 pm to 7pm*
Volunteers : Gurjas Kaur & Gurleen Kaur
Group Link:-

https://chat.whatsapp.com/CuBAnB87LPK6OkrsaFZPgz

 

3. *Basic's of Gurmukhi Aakhar written with Matra's*

Group timing's : *5pm - 6pm*
Volunteers: Harjinder Kaur & Manjit Kaur
Group Link:-
https://chat.whatsapp.com/IZepMgeKuSj6s5NrUTbch4

 

3. *Nitnem Baani's*

Group timing's : *1.30 to 2.30pm*
Volunteers : Pritpal Singh 
Group Link:-
https://chat.whatsapp.com/IBMqZQUVmus1k8Zc2hvBRh

 

4. *Nitnem Baani's

Group timing's : *3pm - 4pm.*
Volunteers : Arneet Kaur & Dilprit Kaur
Group Link:-
https://chat.whatsapp.com/I24PxNBVkV2DsCdmmLDy1m

 

5. *Baani Reading Sukhmani Saheb & Aasa di Vaar*

Group timing's : *12pm - 1pm*
Volunteers : Gurmeet Kaur (Rani Didi)
Group Link:-
https://chat.whatsapp.com/GfRsgNesVX0L2LzsEwXAKA

 

 6. *5 Granthi Baani's
Volunteers : Saheb Singh, Sarabjeet Singh.
Timings : *2.30pm - 3.30pm*
Group Link:-
https://chat.whatsapp.com/JjZy7pHsya6L2GW7sGW5I9

 

7. *Sahejpath Santhya*

Group timing's : *4pm - 5pm*
Volunteers : Abhijyot Singh, Teja Singh Virji, Jaspal Singh & Sarabjit Singh.
Group Link:-
https://chat.whatsapp.com/HaqOcdre1EWLQLEH3pXs1D

 

It's a request, *Please join the group where you are interested in attending the class. Please just don't join for the sake of joining* it's a request please

 Bhulchuk di maafi bakshna ji

Waheguruji ka khalsa Waheguruji ki Fateh.

[Soulfinder]

@dalsingh101amazing thread and hard work in setting it up.

[kidsama]

In my opinion. For a complete new foreign learner (who is primarily learning for Sikhi), they should not start by learning the Punjabi language and grammar itself, but jump right into Gurbani.

They should first learn to read and write the Gurmukhi letter, and the primary sounds, which is easy. Then they can just start listening to shabads they like or gurbani online, and read alongside. After they improve and they will fast, they can start speaking alongside as well. After they can read, listen, and speak relatively well, learning what the words means is easy and the knowledge of grammar comes on its own primarily. This is a very intuitive method. All you need is consistency. 

Compare this to learning Punjabi and the grammar and the language first is quite hard, and personally I wouldn't recommend it. 

[Soulfinder]

8 hours ago, kidsama said:

In my opinion. For a complete new foreign learner (who is primarily learning for Sikhi), they should not start by learning the Punjabi language and grammar itself, but jump right into Gurbani.

They should first learn to read and write the Gurmukhi letter, and the primary sounds, which is easy. Then they can just start listening to shabads they like or gurbani online, and read alongside. After they improve and they will fast, they can start speaking alongside as well. After they can read, listen, and speak relatively well, learning what the words means is easy and the knowledge of grammar comes on its own primarily. This is a very intuitive method. All you need is consistency. 

Compare this to learning Punjabi and the grammar and the language first is quite hard, and personally I wouldn't recommend it. 

You are 100% correct and spot on as i went through this phase as well a few years ago when i started on path for reading gurbani paath banis. 

 

The whole attitude of learning Punjabi Gurmuki before doing basic panj bani nitnem for a new starter is very very hard luckly i got through by roman english scripts which was a blessing for me otherwise i would been without any banis at all.

[dalsingh101]

On 6/22/2020 at 4:15 PM, kidsama said:

In my opinion. For a complete new foreign learner (who is primarily learning for Sikhi), they should not start by learning the Punjabi language and grammar itself, but jump right into Gurbani.

They should first learn to read and write the Gurmukhi letter, and the primary sounds, which is easy. Then they can just start listening to shabads they like or gurbani online, and read alongside. After they improve and they will fast, they can start speaking alongside as well. After they can read, listen, and speak relatively well, learning what the words means is easy and the knowledge of grammar comes on its own primarily. This is a very intuitive method. All you need is consistency. 

Compare this to learning Punjabi and the grammar and the language first is quite hard, and personally I wouldn't recommend it. 

I would agree, but what I found was that not pronouncing the silent grammatical indicators in Gurbani, can easily throw one off and makes learning harder. That's why I would start by focusing on starting with learning the sounds of the letters and vowel symbols with simple Panjabi sentences and words which don't have the silent symbols - to consolidate that learning first. It's also usually more easier to find someone who can help you with this too.

In my experience, this was simpler than starting with Gurbani first. And to be honest, when I wrote the OP, I mainly had Panjabi speakers in mind.

 

That being said, I think one of the best ways to progress after you've got some grasp of the script (lippi) is to jump straight into Jaap Sahib with recordings - I found the slow recitation of Giani Thakur Singh especially useful for this. It's sort of jumping straight into the deep end, but if you persevere the progression is good and the repetition within that bani helps aid learning, as does the complexity. And when doing this you don't really need to focus on the actually meaning of the words, just the correct mapping of the sounds (phonemes) with symbols (graphemes).           

[dalsingh101]

https://www.instagram.com/gurmukhi.box/

 

[Sat1176]

Home - Sikh Student Learning

 

[GurjantGnostic]

We have a dictionary that's more in depth and coveres origin and etimology etc?

 

 

[GurjantGnostic]

And the Dasam Granth translations are crap even to the amature eye. Absolute crap. 

[dalsingh101]

On 6/11/2022 at 9:11 AM, GurjantGnostic said:

We have a dictionary that's more in depth and coveres origin and etimology etc?

 

 

 

https://www.scribd.com/document/416362237/A-Guru-Nanak-Glossary-By-Christopher-Shackle-2nd-Edition-reissued-in-2011

[dalsingh101]

 

[ਰੂਪ ਢਿੱਲੋਂ]

https://dic.learnpunjabi.org/

I use this to write my stories

also this

https://www.shabdkosh.com/dictionary/english-punjabi/