Learn Punjabi with Transparent Language Online

Transparent Language Online now offers Beginner Punjabi in two versions: one in Shahmukhi script, used in Pakistan, and one in Gurmukhi script, used in India. Each course has 133 lessons that take English speakers from their first words to everyday conversations, and both are free for patrons at libraries that subscribe.

Read on to learn more, or start learning free via thousands of public libraries worldwide.

Why Punjabi?

The Punjabi courses in Transparent Language Online started with a request from Chestermere Public Library in Alberta, Canada, which serves a large Punjabi community. Tegan Madge, the Library Director, wrote to us:

"We have a group of Punjabi seniors who gather at the library every day. There have been many requests for the library to host Punjabi learning lessons. Unfortunately, we do not have the capacity for this, so I was really hoping that Transparent Language Online would be the answer.”

So, we answered! With 133 lessons in each script, Beginner Punjabi (Shahmukhi) and Beginner Punjabi (Gurmukhi) give libraries like Chestermere the Punjabi lessons their communities are asking for, without staff having to build and run a program themselves.

When they heard about the new courses, the Punjabi seniors group sent Tegan a message:

“Language is an important part of who we are, it is how we carry our history and reputations, without our language we lose an integral part of who we are. Learning a language is more than just finding a different way to speak; it is a way to know who we are and become connected to culture and community.

The addition of Punjabi to the website [Transparent Language Online] is really good for the community because it provides an opportunity for seniors and adults that never got a chance to properly learn their own language. It also helps bridge the gap of communication between seniors and youth within the Punjabi community, especially as many youth don't have the opportunity to learn the language in their households."

Large Punjabi communities live throughout Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, and beyond. We hope these courses will reach libraries and Punjabi communities around the world!

What's the difference between Shahmukhi and Gurmukhi?

Punjabi speakers on both sides of the India-Pakistan border can understand each other in conversation, but they write the language in two different scripts. That's why we built two courses rather than one.

• Shahmukhi is used in Pakistan, where most Punjabi speakers live. It's based on the Perso-Arabic alphabet, the same family of script used for Urdu, and it's written from right to left.
• Gurmukhi is used in India, especially in the state of Punjab. It's an abugida, which means each letter is a consonant and small vowel signs attach to it. It's written from left to right.

The spoken language varies a little by region, too. Punjabi in Pakistan borrows more words from Persian, Arabic, and Urdu, while Punjabi in India draws more on Hindi and Sanskrit. You can hear it in everyday words. “Thank you” is shukriā in Pakistan (close to shukran in Arabic) and dhanvād in India (close to dhanyavād in Hindi). In the courses, even “hello” changes: as-salāmu ‘alaykum in Shahmukhi and sat srī akāl in Gurmukhi.

Both Beginner Punjabi courses show each word in native script and in transliteration (Punjabi spelled with English letters) during the introductory activities, which helps with pronunciation and memorization.

What is covered in the Beginner Punjabi course?

Beginner Punjabi (Shahmukhi) and Beginner Punjabi (Gurmukhi) follow the same structure: 133 lessons organized into 14 units. Learners start with the basics, then move through the situations they're most likely to face in daily life.

• Punjabi Fundamentals
• Meeting and Greeting
• Learning Customs
• Travel and Transportation
• Using Technology
• Talking about Food
• Buying Food and Drinks
• Activities
• Shopping
• A Place to Stay
• At School
• At the Doctor
• Running Errands
• Parties and Holidays

The lesson activities emphasize speaking and listening, so learners practice hearing and saying Punjabi from the very first unit. Activities include pronunciation practice, vocabulary matching, and flashcard-style review.

Who are the Punjabi courses intended for?

• Young people in Punjabi families who haven’t learned language at home and want to connect with their older family members and their culture.
• Heritage learners who grew up hearing Punjabi but never learned to read or write it or may be limited to only household vocabulary. Starting with the script their family uses can help them reconnect with relatives and traditions.
• Library staff, volunteers, and neighbors who want to learn a few words to make Punjabi speakers feel welcome. (We recommend the unit on greetings!)

Punjabi joins more than 140 languages in Transparent Language Online for Libraries. If your library already subscribes, both courses are available to your patrons now.

Teaching English to Punjabi speakers? We have a course for that too!

Transparent Language Online also offers Canadian English for Newcomers for Punjabi (Gurkumkhi) speakers, with instruction in Punjabi to help new arrivals build the everyday English they need for work, school, appointments, and life in their community. It's part of our ESOL collection for speakers of 40+ languages.

Together, Beginner Punjabi and English for Newcomers for Punjabi speakers let your library support Punjabi learners and Punjabi speakers learning English with one resource. Log in to Transparent Language Online to try them today or contact us to bring Transparent Language Online to your library.