1.1 Script Overview

Gurmukhi Script Video Transcript

[This video discusses the Punjabi Alphabet table below.]

[Introduction]

Sat Sri Akal Friends.

In this video, we will talk about Punjabi script. Punjabi script is known as a Gurmukhi script and it is also known as a painti. Painti means 35, as Gurmukhi had primary/originally 35 letters. So, it’s still known as a Painti.

Although the script possesses 41 letters, 5 letters have been borrowed from Arbi Farsi. These sounds are represented by adding a dot underneath the existing consonant sign in Gurmukhi letter.

And the last letter of this script is ਲ਼ (a dot in lalla) is a native Punjabi sound which is added in 1990’s in the script to cover proper sound/spellings (in writing) of some of Punjabi dialects.

Gurmukhi script has 3 independent vowels: ੳ, ਅ, ੲ and two semi vowels: ਯ, ਵ.

Like every language, Punjabi has a writing pattern. 5 letters are written in a line. They are written on the line of the page. The second last letter of each line (from velar to bilabial) represents tonal sounds and the last letter of each line (again, velar to bilabial) represents nasal sound.

Each Punjabi letter is known with a name instead of just a sound. The chart is given below with the name of each Punjabi letter. You will also see in this chart we have arranged these letters according to the place of articulation like velar, palatal, retroflex, etc. Now you are going to learn how to pronounce each letter. We are just going them read out loud so you can listen carefully and you are also advised to practice it with me.

So, let’s start:

[Vowels]

The first three letters oora/ura, aira, and eere are vowels. sassa has two syllabi: first is short and second is long, like “simple” or “spit” in English. haaha has two syllabi both are long. At the initial position, it is pronounced fully like ਹੱਥ, ਹਾਥੀ or like “happy” or “hand,” but at the middle and final position, it becomes tonal. It is a glottal sound. So one more time speak with me: oora, aira, eeree, sassa, haaha.

[Velar]

The next line is velar.

• The first letter of velar sound is kakka, back of tongue touches the soft palate, again two syllables first is short and second is long k like “skin” or “skip” in English.
• Khakhha, aspirated form of kakka, no English equivalent.
• gagga is voiced like “gun” or “grace” in English.
• Kgha. This is a tonal one; no English equivalent—we will discuss it in our next chapter.
• Anga. This is a nasal sound. Never comes at the initial position means does not make any word.

[Palatal]

Tip of tongue presses against the hard palate.

• chacha, two syllables, [the] first is short second is long, like “choose” or “cheese” in English.
• Chhachha, aspirated form of chacha.
• jajja, voiced like “June” or “judge” in English.
• Chajja, again tonal one, no English equivalent.
• Naiya, nasal sound, never comes at the initial position means does not make any word.

[Retroflex]

The lower tip of tongue curls upward.

• So the first letter of retroflex is Tainka like “but” or “cut” in English with retroflex position.
• thatha, aspirated, no English equivalent.
• dadda like “drum” or “doll” in English with retroflex position.
• tadda, again tonal one no English equivalent.
• Naana, nasal sound, again, never comes at the initial position means does not make any word.

[Dental]

The tip of tongue presses against the upper teeth.

• Tatta, unaspirated, no English equivalent.
• thatha, aspirated form of tatta, no English equivalent.
• dadda, no English equivalent.
• dhadda, tonal sound, no English equivalent.
• Nanna, nasal sound like “never” or “no” in English.

[Bilabials]

The lower lip presses against the upper lip.

• Pappa, unaspirated, like “spoon” or “speak” in English.
• Phaphha, aspirated form of pappa, no English equivalent.
• babba, voiced, like “baby” or “ball” in English.
• Pabba, tonal, no English equivalent.
• Mamma, nasal like “mother” or “mask” in English.

There are some other sounds.

[Other Sounds]

• Yaia. It is a palatal sound, like “yes” in English.
• Raara, two syllabi, both are long, pronounced by the tip of tongue just behind the front teeth and always pronounced fully.
• Lalla, similar in the first “L” in “long” or “letter.”
• Vaavva/Waawwa,” two syllabi (first is short, second is long), so lower lip touches the middle of upper teeth; we have just one word for both “V” and “W” like “van” or “wing” in English.
• Raara, two syllabi (both are long), “r” sound pronounced in unaspirated retroflex.

[Borrowed Letters]

These sounds are represented by adding a dot underneath the existing consonant in the script.

• Sasse pair bindi “Sh” like “shade” in English. Bindi means a dot and pair means feet: literally a dot underneath the feet.
• Khakhhe pair bindi “kh” like “Scottish” in English.
• Gagge pair bindi “Ga,” no English equivalent.
• Jajje pair bindi “za” like “zero” in English.
• Phaphhe pair bind “Fa” like “fun” in English.
• Lalle pair bindi “La,” tongue curls back like ਟ, never comes at initial position.

So, this is all about script. I am going to read it loud out one more time.

Ok friends, in the next chapter we will learn how to write these letters.

Dhanvaad! Shukria!