Punjabi, Western

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A language of Pakistan

ISO 639-3
pnb
Alternate Names
Lahanda, Lahnda, Lahndi, Lahori, Majhi, Western Panjabi
Population

60,600,000 in Pakistan (2000). Population total all countries: 62,613,000.

Location

Mainly in Punjab.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Northwestern zone, Lahnda
Dialects

A continuum of related varieties between Eastern Punjabi [pan] in India and Western Punjabi, and ‘Lahnda’. Lahnda (originally called Western Panjabi by Grierson) is a label for the dialect continuum between Hindko [hno] [hnd], Pahari-Potwari [phr], and Saraiki [skr]; Lahnda varieties are 70%–85% lexically similar to Punjabi [pan]. Lexical similarity: 70%–85% with Punjabi [pan]. A member of macrolanguage Lahnda [lah].

Language Use

Educated younger generations living in cities opt to use Urdu [urd] and English [eng], and parents also encourage them to use Urdu or English even at home. Home, community, religious settings. All ages. Positive attitudes. Used as L2 by Aer [aeq], Northern Hindko [hno], Sansi [ssi], Southern Hindko [hnd].

Language Development
Newspapers. Radio programs. Films. TV. Videos. Grammar. NT: 1819–2000.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Punjabi, Western
Writing

Arabic script [Arab]. Khojki script [Khoj]. Lahnda (Landa) script [Qaaj], no longer in use.

Other Comments

Muslim (Sunni), Christian.

Also spoken in:

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