Urdu is an Indo-Aryan language [1] spoken by over 230 million people worldwide, primarily in Pakistan, where it is the national language. [2] In India, Urdu holds official status in several states. Urdu-speaking communities are also found in countries such as the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States, reflecting its global presence.
Punjabi is spoken by over 150 million people worldwide [3] and serves as the primary language of the Indian state of Punjab, [4] as well as parts of Pakistan's Punjab province. It is predominantly spoken in northern India and eastern Pakistan, with vibrant Punjabi-speaking communities found in countries like Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
Both Urdu and Punjabi belong to the Indo-Aryan language family, [5] but have developed distinct characteristics. Urdu has been heavily influenced by Persian, Arabic, and Turkish, which is reflected in its vocabulary and literary traditions. Punjabi, whilst also influenced by Persian and Arabic, retains more indigenous vocabulary and is closely tied to the cultural and historical heritage of the Punjab region.
The two languages use different writing systems. Urdu uses a modified Arabic script (Nastaliq) written right-to-left, whilst Punjabi in India uses the Gurmukhi script [6] written left-to-right. In Pakistan, Punjabi can also be written in the Shahmukhi script, which is similar to Urdu's script.
Both languages follow a subject-object-verb (SOV) structure but with distinct vocabulary and pronunciation. In Urdu, one might say "Main kitaab parh raha hoon" (I am reading a book), whilst in Punjabi, it would be "Mai kitaab padhda haan" with different pronunciation and verb forms.
Despite their differences, both Urdu and Punjabi cultures emphasise respect through language. In Urdu, respect is conveyed through polite expressions and honorifics like "Aap" instead of the informal "Tum". In Punjabi, honorifics like "Ji" and respectful phrases are commonly used. Both cultures share strong family values, respect for elders, and a love for celebrations and festivals.