We all got used to certain words in our vocabulary that we use everyday without understanding the origin and true meanings of these terms. The original Punjabi language is most likely the oldest language in the Indian subcontinent - much older than Hindi, Sanskrit, and even Tamil. I would like to call that "Adi-Punjabi" as it is the same as the ancient "Prakrit" that originated in the same region.
Adi-Punjabi
Prakrit is the 'natural' or the 'native" language that was spoken in the Punjab region that later extended to the rest of India. It was later transformed by Panini of Punjab in the mid-4th century BCE with structural grammar and the outcome was "Sanskrit" or the "refined language". Aṣṭādhyāyī is a foundational text for understanding and using Sanskrit, and Panini is considered the founder of the language. Prakrit remained the language of common people as Sanskrit was limited to religious scriptures and literary works. Even Kalidas preferred to use "Prakrit" in his Sanskrit dramas when he needed to depict conversation between common people.
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| Panini - Creator of Sanskrit Grammar |
In an inscription of Siladitya VII of Valabhi, Panini is called Śalāturiya, which means "a man from Salatura". This means Pāṇini lived in Salatura in ancient Gandhara (present day north-west Frontier), a town at the junction of the Indus and Kabul rivers. According to the memoirs of the 7th-century Chinese scholar Xuanzang, there was a town called Suoluoduluo on the Indus where Pāṇini was born, and where he composed the Qingming-lun (Sanskrit: Vyākaraṇa).
Prakrit was historically written in Brahmi or Kharosthi script in the northwest of the subcontinent - Punjab regions.
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| Prakrit Inscription in Bahmi script |
This proves beyond doubt that "Sanskrit" was created around 350 BC while Prakrit or "Adi-Punjabi" was the original and native language of the people of Punjab for centuries before that. Prakrit of Adi-Punjabi remained the common language of people in Punjab till the Persians and Greeks arrived.
Here are some Punjabi words that owes their origin to ancient Prakrit and later related to Sanskrit:
Javakh: This term is used to describe younger generation of boys and girls. The word "Javakh" is Punjabi pronunciation of Prakrit term "Juvak" and its Sanskrit synanym "Yuvak", also signifying the young.
Kissan: Commonly used term for the farmer owes its origin to the term "Kirsan" from Prakrit and is associated with the term "Krishak" from Sanskrit.
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| Farmers of Indus Valley - 2000 BC |
Medieval Punjabi
Numerous terms and words were added to "Adi-Punjabi" as the population of Punjab became more diverse with migrants and invaders. Persian words were added to the dialects in NW Frontiers during the invasion by Persia followed by adoption of Greek words, for example, "Alexander" became "Sikander". The Punjabi term ਦਾਮ (dām) meaning price or money is borrowed from ancient Greek δραχμή (drakhmḗ). Similarly, the term ਕਲਮ (kalam) for pen is borrowed from ancient Greek κάλαμος (kálamos, “reed”).
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| Greek, Zoroastrian, Hindu Worship in a Temple in Gandhara |
The "Medieval Punjabi" reflected these adoption until the invasion of Punjab by Persians. The name Punjab itself is a Persian compound: Panj: (پنچ) - Five and Āb: (آب) - River.
Punjabi vocabulary got boost with the addition of Arabic, Persian, and Turkic words. During the time of Guru Nanak, these words were beginning to creep into our normal conversations. The language of Sri Guru Granth Sahib reflects that period.
We began to see words like 'Nadar' as Punjabi pronunciation of Persian term "Nazar". Other Persian words in everyday Punjabi includes, Badaam: (بَدام) - Almonds, Bareek: (بَرِیک) - Fine, thin, or delicate, Bimaar: (بِمار) - Sick, Gosht: (گوشَت) - Meat, Khurmaani: (خُرمانی) - Apricot, Mulk: (مُلَکھّ) - Country or territory, Poodna: (پُودنڑاں) - Mint, Shahar: City, and Zamīn: (زمین) - Land or earth.
British Punjabi
Punjabi written in "Shahmukhi" script was adopted in Punjab. The Sikh empire of Lahore used this as the official language of the state. The British continued this approach but we began to add English words in our vocabulary, for example - "Jarnail" for "General". Other commonly English words used in Punjabi include:
- America - ਅਮਰੀਕਾ
- Copy - ਕਾਪੀ
- College - ਕਾਲਜ
- January - ਜਨਵਰੀ
- Doctor - ਡਾਕਟਰ
- School - ਸਕੂਲ
Misinterpretation of Foreign Words in Punjabi
Now lets examine some commonly misused terms in everyday Punjabi conversations:
Zimmidar:
We use this term very loosely for a land owning farmer. This is an uneducated use of a derogatory term "Zimmi" that is used in historical term for non-Muslim subjects living under Islamic rule. Under the Zimmi system, these non-Muslim subjects were granted protection and limited rights after they pay a specific tax, the Jizya. A non-Muslim leader of Zimmis was appointed as "Zimmidar" and it was his responsibility to collect Jizya tax from the "zimmis" under his command. Without understanding the meaning, we continue to use it for the landowning farmers.
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| Zimmis paying Jezia to a Zimmidar for Islamic Ruler |
Correct term is "Zamin-dar" which literally means owner of farming land. Thw terms "Zimmidar" and "Zamindar" are NOT synonyms.
Baba:
Common term "Baba" is adopted honorific term used as a mark of respect for grandfather, wise old man, or spiritual leaders. This term originated in middle-east and arrived in Punjab with the sufis. Its still in use in Iran, Arabia, and Israel. Baba is also the title used for the Israeli Kabbalistic rabbis. The first use of this term in Punjab comes as Baba Farid for sufi saint Sheikh Farīduddīn Masūd Ganjshakar (1188-1266). It was later used to honor Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism. It was also used as honorific title for the young sons of Guru Gobind Singh as they acted as an adult in extraordinary difficult situation. It is also conferred to a valiant spiritual leader Baba Deep Singh who attained martyrdom liberating the golden temple from Afghan occupation.
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| Honorific Baba in Punjab |
This term is being misused these days to refer to any self-claimed spiritual leader even if he is younger in age. It is also incorrectly used for the Raagi (Sikh hymn singers) and Granthis (Readers of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. The intent is to accord respect to these individuals but maybe misguided for the undeserving individuals.
Nianey: This term literally refers to the "newborns' but its used broadly for all children.
Par-hauna: This term literally means the "son-in-law" which refers to the outsider in the family. But its used loosely for all guests, or the in-laws.
Your comments are welcome!
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