There are
words to speak the language. But writing words requires a script. The letters of
the alphabet around the world cannot accurately represent the sound of words in
any language. Only the speaker of any language can accurately pronounce the
sound of words in that language.
Just like
writing Punjabi words in Roman, only a Punjabi speaker can speak it correctly.
English speakers can't. Similarly, if a Punjabi does not know how to speak
English, Arabic or Persian, he will not be able to pronounce the words of these
languages correctly.
Before Urdu
was introduced at Fort William College, Calcutta in 1800 AD, Punjabi words were
written in the Arabic alphabet and Persian script for centuries and Punjabi script
is called "Shahmukhi".
Before the
spread of Islamic teachings in Punjab, Punjabi was written in the
"Devanagari Script". When Muslims started writing Punjabi in
"Shahmukhi Script", Hindus continued to write Punjabi in
"Devanagari Script" and still do.
Due to
Persian is the official language of Punjab and Muslims knowing Arabic words
for reciting the Holy Quran, Muslims started to write the Punjabi language in
Arabic alphabet and Persian script.
The Punjabi
script is called "Shahmukhi Script". Baba Farid-ud-Din Ganjshakar
(born 1173, died 1266) is said to be the first poet of the Punjabi language.
After the
death of Baba Guru Nanak in 1539, Guru Angad Dev Ji invented the script for
writing "Guru Granth Sahib". This script is called "Gurmukhi
Script".
Punjabi
Muslims recite the Holy Quran. Therefore, it is easy for Muslim Punjabis to
learn "Shahmukhi Script".
Punjabi
Sikhs read the "Guru Granth Sahib". Therefore, it is easy for Sikh
Punjabis to learn the "Gurmukhi Script".
British
developed Sindhi language in Arabic script in 1900 AD and "Urdu
Script" was developed by the British in 1800 AD in the style of the Arabic
alphabet and Persian script but, it was already practiced by Muslim Punjabi
with the name of "Shahmukhi Script".
Therefore,
those who claim that the Punjabi language does not have a script and Punjabi language
is written in "Urdu Script" have a question;
In which
script was written the poetry of Baba Bulleh Shah and Sultan Bahoo?
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