Doabi

Dialects of Punjabi

Doabi is one of the Punjabi dialects^[1] spoken in Doab (India). The word "Do Aabi" means "the land between two rivers" and this dialects is spoken between the rivers of Beas and Sutlej. It includes the districts of Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala and Nawanshahr (now known Shahid Bhagat Singh Nagar).

Features of Doabi

Substituting letters

Doabi's drop the letter "v" at the start of a word and use the letter "b". They also use the letter "w" elsewhere in a word instead of a "v". Doabi's use the letter "j" instead of "u". This is also common in the Malwa region of Punjab.

Ending sentences

Doabi's end sentences with "aa" (present tense) and "sigey" (past —tense), instead of "han" (present tense) and "san" (past tense).

Pronunciation

In Doabi, any word beginning with "i" is pronounced with "e". For example, the word "khich" (to pull) is pronounced as "khech".

Also, the vowel "u" is pronounced with an "o". Accordingly, "khush" (happy) becomes "khosh".

Vocabulary

Doabi	English	Standard Punjabi
"Houga"	Will Happen	"Hovega"
"Baarha"	Cow shed	"Haveli"
"Dhaun"	Neck	"Gardan"
"Bech"	In	"Vich"
"Batt"	Heat	"Garmi"
"Paala"	Cold weather	"Sardi"
"Kunji"	Key	"Chabi"

References

1. ^ Punjabi University, Patiala.

See also

• Languages of Pakistan
• Languages of India
• List of Indian languages by total speakers
• List of Punjabi television channels