Saraiki language

Saraiki

Saraiki (سرائیکی, Sarā'īkī, ; also spelt Siraiki or Seraiki) is an Indo-Aryan language. Many people speak it in southern Punjab, and also in parts of northern Sindh and southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in Pakistan.

Saraiki shares many words and grammar rules with nearby languages, especially Punjabi and Sindhi. It has a special way of sounding, with soft and breathy sounds and unique sounds made by pushing air inward.

History

The language we now call Saraiki had many different names in the past, such as Multani, Jatki, Derawali, Riyasati, and Hindki. The name Multani was used most often in old times because of the importance of Multan.

In the 1900s, the name Saraiki became more popular. Writers and thinkers in southern Punjab helped this happen by encouraging people to use one name for all the language varieties spoken in the Saraiki-speaking area.

Geographic distribution and demographics

Saraiki is mainly spoken in southern parts of Punjab, such as Multan, Bahawalpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rahim Yar Khan, Muzaffargarh, and Layyah. It is also spoken in some areas of southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, especially around Dera Ismail Khan Division, and in northern parts of Sindh.

The 2023 Pakistani census shows that Saraiki is the third most commonly spoken language in Pakistan.

Literature and media

Saraiki has a long history of storytelling and poetry, especially through Sufi traditions. People in southern Punjab have shared stories and songs in Saraiki for many years.

Today, Saraiki is used on TV, radio, and in newspapers. It is also used in music, books, and some schools and universities in southern Punjab.

Notable figures

Many poets, writers, and musicians have helped shape Saraiki literature and culture. One of the most famous Saraiki poets is Khwaja Ghulam Farid, known for his Sufi poetry. Other important writers include Shakir Shujaabadi and Ashu Lal Faqeer.

Saraiki folk music and poetry have been shared with the world by artists such as Atta Ullah Khan Esakhelvi, Pathanay Khan, Mansoor Malangi, and Reshma.