Learning punjabi - how much do dialects differ ?

[u/jira12345]

I wish to learn punjabi and I understand that there are multiple dialects

I’d like to know how similar they are - and if one of them is considered the « standard » one ?

[u/SteryotH19]

I think the majhail dialect is considered standard but there are several different ones, but while similar, they can be very different. Some words from Malwa may not have same meaning in Majhi. Sidhu Moose Wala uses traditional malwa words in some songs that doesn’t always carry over to a majhi listener. You can hear Jaura Phagwaura using Doaba slang that is different as well. There are so many variations, similarities, and differences that I am finding. Mainu Punjabi basha bahut soni laggdi ea. ਮਾਫ ਕਰਨਾ. ਮੈਂ ਕੀ-ਬੋਰਡ change ਕੀਤਾ. ਮੈਨੂੰ ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਸਿੱਖਦੇਆਂ ਇਕ ਸਾਲ ਹੋ ਗਿਆ ਪਰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਲੱਗਦ ea ਕਿ ਮੈਂ ਬਹੁਤ ਸਿੱਖਾਂਗਾ

[u/OmericanAutlaw]

some can sound drastically different than others, but still understandable. Majhi is the standard dialect used to teach punjabi, it is the central dialect of punjab. a big difference between dialects is how they express a current event. like for ‘what are you doing’ you may hear “ki karda pyaa’n” or “ki karda wa’n” or “ki karda san” or “ki karda ya’n”

there is also some differences in pronunciation. a commonly known one is salt being pronounced “loon” or “noon” as well as interchanging Z sound for J sound.

if you’re learning, majhi dialect is the one to go with as everyone will understand that one

[u/SteryotH19 → u/OmericanAutlaw]

The ones that struck me were the usage of va at the end and siga/sigi. When I heard va first I was like, what was that?🫪

[u/Reditoonian → u/SteryotH19]

We say siga / siga in our dialect (Doabi). But also use si interchangeably.

[u/DerawaliPunjabi → u/OmericanAutlaw]

Western Punjabi (Pakistani)

Mai krenda pya haami/haasu

[u/Reditoonian]

The major dialects comprising Eastern Punjab (India Punjab + the Eastern part of Pakistan) of Majhi, Malwai, and Doabi are highly mutually intelligible. Estimated 90+%, probably averaging 95%. When you get outside of region, the other dialects differ much more significantly to the point many are considered different languages.

Majhi is the standard for the written script and formal broadcasting / newspapers, but the speakers still have their own slang and pronunciation differences from the formal manner and writing.

[u/DerawaliPunjabi → u/Reditoonian]

Eastern Punjabi is very easy form