Punjabi is the first language for more than 100 million people in the Punjab region spanning east Pakistan and northwestern India, and a second language to millions more in South Asia and throughout the world wherever Punjabi speakers have migrated. Beyond the Punjab region, Punjabi is also used extensively in the states and territories of Himachal, Jammu, Haryana and even Delhi.
Punjabi possesses rich literary and folk traditions, with notable contributors from the Sikh, Muslim, and Hindu religious traditions. Within India and the Sikh diaspora, Punjabi fulfills the role as the common language of the global Sikh community, as well as the language of many of the sacred texts used in Sikhism.
The study of Punjabi will hold practical value for students who study religion, history, economics, government, anthropology, linguistics, music and ethnomusicology, and comparative literature, as well as in other fields related to the study of South Asia. Instruction is conducted in Gurmukhi script. No prior knowledge is required.
Subject to FAS language tutorial guidelines; enrollment is by petition and statements of academic need are due by June 1, 2023. Please fill out the online petition form here.
South Asian Studies 100R 004 Introductory Punjabi
Instructors and Individual meeting times/semesters vary
South Asian Language Tutorials, Introductory Level
Individualized study of a South Asian language at the introductory level; emphasis on written expression, reading comprehension and oral fluency. (Language Tutorials are not open to auditors.)
South Asian Studies 101R 004 Intermediate Punjabi
Instructors and Individual meeting times/semesters vary
South Asian Language Tutorials, Intermediate Level
Individualized study of a South Asian language at the intermediate level; emphasis on written expression, reading comprehension and oral fluency. (Language Tutorials are not open to auditors.)
South Asian Studies 102R 004 Advanced Punjabi
Instructors and Individual meeting times/semesters vary
South Asian Language Tutorials, Advanced Level
Individualized study of a South Asian language at the advanced level; emphasis on written expression, reading comprehension and oral fluency. (Language Tutorials are not open to auditors.)