- published: 01 Dec 2009
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Punjabi (ਪੰਜਾਬੀ/پنجابی) is an Indo-Aryan language spoken by inhabitants of the historical Punjab region (north western India and eastern Pakistan). In Pakistan, Punjabi is the most widely spoken language. Punjabi can be subdivided into two varieties, Eastern Punjabi in India and Western Punjabi in Pakistan. There are some 104 million native speakers of the Punjabi language, 76 million in Pakistan (2008) and 28 million in India (2001), making it the 10th most widely spoken language in the world.
The Punjabi language has many different dialects, spoken in the different sub-regions of greater Punjab. The Majhi dialect is Punjabi's prestige dialect and shared by both countries. This dialect is considered as textbook Punjabi and is spoken in the historical region of Majha, centralizing in Lahore and Amritsar.
Along with Lahnda and Western Pahari languages, Punjabi is unusual among modern Indo-European languages because it is a tonal language. For Sikhs, the Punjabi language stands as the official language in which all ceremonies take place. 21 February is celebrated as "Mother Tongue Punjabi" Day in Punjabi diaspora.