Which script should I learn?
Punjabi is one language written in two alphabets. Somebody who reads one cannot read the other.
Gurmukhi
Gurmukhi is the script of Indian Punjab. It runs left to right, and the letters hang from a line along the top. Every vowel is written, either as a full letter or as a small mark attached to a consonant, so once you know the letters a word can be sounded out with no guessing. There are 35 core letters and a handful of extras for borrowed sounds.
Choose this one if your family is from Indian Punjab, if you want to read Punjabi published in India, or if you want the script most Punjabi learning material is written in.
Shahmukhi
Shahmukhi is the script of Pakistani Punjab. It is a Perso-Arabic alphabet, closely related to the one used for Urdu. It runs right to left, the letters join into flowing shapes and change form depending on where they sit in a word, and the short vowels are usually not written at all. That last part means reading leans on already knowing the language, which is why it suits somebody who understands spoken Punjabi.
Choose this one if your family is from Pakistani Punjab or if you want to read Punjabi published in Pakistan.
Side by side
| Gurmukhi | Shahmukhi | |
|---|---|---|
| Used in | Indian Punjab | Pakistani Punjab |
| Direction | Left to right | Right to left |
| Letter shapes | Separate, hanging from a top line | Joined, changing by position in the word |
| Vowels | Always written | Short vowels usually left out |
| Related to | The Indic scripts, including Devanagari | The Perso-Arabic scripts, including Urdu |
| Easier if you | Are starting from nothing | Already read Urdu or Arabic |
Can I learn both?
Yes, and some people do, usually one after the other rather than at the same time. They are separate courses with separate progress, and taken together they are A$30 rather than A$40.
Still unsure?
Gurmukhi is a bit easier to read, as it is designed for the language. As a result it is easier for a beginner or a limited ability speaker to read it and to learn more.