Changes

{{Refimprove|date=May 2013}}

{{Refimprove|date=May 2013}}

{{Use Pakistani English}}

{{Use Pakistani English}}

{{Infobox language

{{Infobox language

| name = Urdu

| name             = Urdu

| nativename = {{lang|ur|{{nq|اُردُو}}}}

| pronunciation = {{IPA-hns|ˈʊrd̪u||hi-Urdu.ogg}}

| nativename       = {{lang|ur|{{nq|اُردُو}}}}

| region = [[South Asia]] (native to the [[Hindi-Urdu Belt]])

| pronunciation   = {{IPA-hns|ˈʊrduː||hi-Urdu.ogg}}

| ethnicity        = [[Urdu-speaking people]] (Muslims of the [[Urdu Belt]], the [[Deccani Muslims|Deccani people]] and the [[Muhajir people]])<ref name="Skutsch2013">{{cite book|author=Carl Skutsch|title=Encyclopedia of the World's Minorities|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iSUKAgAAQBAJ&pg=PT2234|date=7 November 2013|publisher=Taylor & Francis|isbn=978-1-135-19395-9|pages=2234–}}</ref>

| speakers = 50.7 million in India<ref>{{cite web|title=Scheduled Languages in descending order of speaker's strength -2011|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011Census/Language-2011/Statement-4.pdf|publisher=[[Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India]]|date=29 June 2018}}</ref><br />16 million in Pakistan<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pbs.gov.pk/content/population-mother-tongue|title=POPULATION BY MOTHER TONGUE {{!}} Pakistan Bureau of Statistics|website=www.pbs.gov.pk|language=en|access-date=2018-01-08|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170712131537/http://www.pbs.gov.pk/content/population-mother-tongue|archivedate=12 July 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

| states          = [[India]] and [[Pakistan]]

| region          = [[South Asia]]

| familycolor = Indo-European

| speakers        = 68.62 million<ref>{{e24|urd|Urdu}}</ref>

| fam2 = [[Indo-Iranian languages|Indo-Iranian]]

| fam3 = [[Indo-Aryan languages|Indo-Aryan]]

| speakers2        = Total: 230 million (2021)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ethnologue.com/guides/ethnologue200|title=What are the top 200 most spoken languages?|website=Ethnologue|access-date=2021-02-26}}</ref>

| fam4 = [[Central Indo-Aryan languages|Central Zone]]

| familycolor     = Indo-European

| fam5 = [[Central Indo-Aryan languages#Western|Western]]

| fam2             = [[Indo-Iranian languages|Indo-Iranian]]

| fam6 = [[Hindustani language|Hindustani]] ([[Urdu]])<ref name=ELL2>{{ELL2|Hindustani}}</ref>

| fam3             = [[Indo-Aryan languages|Indo-Aryan]]

| script = {{plainlist|

| fam4             = [[Hindi languages|Central Zone]]

*[[Urdu alphabet]]

| fam5             = [[Western Hindi]]

*[[Urdu Braille]]}}

| fam6             = [[Hindustani language|Hindustani]]<ref name=ELL2>{{ELL2|Hindustani}}</ref>

| nation = {{flag|Pakistan}} (national and official)<br/>{{flag|India}} (official as per the 8th Schedule of the Constitution and in the following states/union territories)

 

* [[Jammu and Kashmir]]

 

| script           = * [[Perso-Arabic script|Perso-Arabic]] ([[Urdu alphabet]])

* [[Roman Urdu]] (unofficial)

* [[Urdu Braille]]

| nation           = {{flag|Pakistan}}<br/>(national)

{{IND}}<br/>(state-official)

* [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]]

* [[National Capital Territory of Delhi]]

* [[National Capital Territory of Delhi]]

* [[Bihar]]  

* [[Bihar]]  

* [[Jharkhand]]

* [[Jharkhand]]

* [[West Bengal]]

* [[West Bengal]]

* [[Telangana]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/urdu-is-telanganas-second-official-language-4940595/|title=Urdu is Telangana’s second official language|date=2017-11-16|work=[[The Indian Express]]|access-date=2018-02-27|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/urdu-second-official-language-telangana-state-passes-bill-71742|title=Urdu is second official language in Telangana as state passes Bill|date=2017-11-17|work=The News Minute|access-date=2018-02-27}}</ref>

* [[Telangana]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/urdu-is-telanganas-second-official-language-4940595/|title=Urdu is Telangana's second official language|date=16 November 2017|work=[[The Indian Express]]|access-date=27 February 2018|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/urdu-second-official-language-telangana-state-passes-bill-71742|title=Urdu is second official language in Telangana as state passes Bill|date=17 November 2017|work=The News Minute|access-date=27 February 2018}}</ref>

 

| minority        = {{flag|South Africa}} {{small|(protected language)}}<ref>{{cite web|title=Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 - Chapter 1: Founding Provisions|url=http://www.gov.za/documents/constitution/chapter-1-founding-provisions|website=www.gov.za|access-date=6 December 2014}}</ref>

{{flag|Nepal}} (Registered Regional Language)

| iso1             = ur

| minority = {{flag|United Arab Emirates}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/print_ae.html|title=The World Fact Book|publisher=Central Intelligence Agency|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170716041601/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/print_ae.html|archivedate=16 July 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

| iso2             = urd

| iso1 = ur

| iso3             = urd

| iso2 = urd

| lingua           = 59-AAF-q

| iso3 = urd

| image           = Urdu example.svg

| lingua = 59-AAF-q

| imagesize       = 120px

| image = Urdu example.svg

| imagecaption     = ''Urdu'' in [[Nastaʿlīq]] script

| imagesize = 120px

| map             = Urdu_official-language_areas.png

| imagecaption = ''Urdu'' in [[Nastaʿlīq]] script

| mapcaption       = {{legend|#ffc90e|Areas in India and Pakistan where Urdu is either official or co-official}}

| map = Urdu_official-language_areas.png

| mapcaption = {{legend|#ffc90e|Areas where Urdu is either official or co-official}}

{{legend|#fff200|Areas where Urdu is neither official nor co-official}}

{{legend|#fff200|Areas where Urdu is neither official nor co-official}}

| notice = IPA

| notice           = IPA

| sign = {{plainlist|

| sign             = {{plainlist|

* [[Indian Signing System]] (ISS)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://punarbhava.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1056&Itemid=614|title=Short Term Programmes|author=Gaurav Takkar|work=punarbhava.in|access-date=29 March 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161115071424/http://punarbhava.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1056&Itemid=614|archive-date=15 November 2016}}</ref>  

*[[Indian Signing System]] (ISS)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://punarbhava.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1056&Itemid=614|title=Short Term Programmes|author=Gaurav Takkar|work=punarbhava.in|accessdate=29 March 2015|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161115071424/http://punarbhava.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1056&Itemid=614|archivedate=15 November 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

* Signed Urdu<ref>"Indo-Pakistani Sign Language", ''Encyclopedia of Language and Linguistics''</ref>

*Signed Urdu<ref>"Indo-Pakistani Sign Language", ''Encyclopedia of Language and Linguistics''</ref>}}

  }}

| glotto = urdu1245

| glotto           = urdu1245

| glottorefname = Urdu

| glottorefname   = Urdu

| agency          = [[National Language Promotion Department]] (Pakistan)<br>[[National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language]] (India)

}}

}}

{{InterWiki|code=ur}}

{{InterWiki|code=ur}}

'''Urdu''' , also known or nicknamed '''as''' '''Lashkari or a lashkari language'''<ref name="Ahmad2009">{{cite book|author=Aijazuddin Ahmad|title=Geography of the South Asian Subcontinent: A Critical Approach|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=I2QmPHeIowoC&pg=PA120|year=2009|publisher=Concept Publishing Company|isbn=978-81-8069-568-1|pages=120–}}</ref> is an [[Indo-Aryan languages|Indo-Aryan language]]. It is the national language of [[Pakistan]]. It is spoken as a lingua franca by the majority of people in Pakistan and it is also spoken in some parts of [[India]] like the states of [[Telangana]], [[Andhra Pradesh]], [[Delhi]], [[Bihar]] and [[Uttar Pradesh]]. When spoken, it sounds the same as [[Hindi]] with exceptions of certain vocabulary words, phrases, or tone of speaking. When written, it is written completely different from Hindi. That is why, speakers of Hindi and Urdu can have a fluent, easy conversation with one another, but they cannot read or write letters to one another.  

'''[[Urdu]]''' , also known as '''Lashkari''' or the '''Lashkari language''' (لشکری ‍زبان)<ref name="Ahmad2009">{{cite book|author=Aijazuddin Ahmad|title=Geography of the South Asian Subcontinent: A Critical Approach|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=I2QmPHeIowoC&pg=PA120|year=2009|publisher=Concept Publishing Company|isbn=978-81-8069-568-1|pages=120–|quote=The very word Urdu came into being as the original '''''Lashkari''''' dialect, in other words, the language of the army.}}</ref> is the [[national language]] of [[Pakistan]] and a recognized [[regional language]] in India. It is spoken as a [[lingua franca]] by the majority of people in [[Pakistan]]. And it is also spoken in some parts of [[India]] like the states of [[Delhi]], [[Bihar]] and [[Uttar Pradesh]]. With exceptions of numerous [[vocabulary]] [[word]]s, [[phrase]]s or [[tone]] of speaking, some words are similar to spoken Hindi. When written, it is written completely different from [[Hindi]]. That is why speakers of Hindi and Urdu can have a [[conversation]] with one another, but they cannot read or write with Urdu or Hindi [[letter]]s to one another.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In India it became the national language but went by the name Hindi and was written in the Devanagari script. It also used a lesser amount of Arabic, Persian and Chagatai words and instead [[Sanskrit]] words were adopted in their place.

Today it is the most widely spoken language in Pakistan in terms of total speakers and a registered language in 22 Indian states.

Urdu was believed to have developed in 11th century in the [[Delhi Sultanate]], Urdu is evolved from [[Apabramsa]] of [[Shauraseni Prakrit]]. Urdu is a major form of [[Hindustani language|Hindustani]]. The origin of the name Urdu is the [[Chagatai language]]'s word for army, ''urdu''.  Informal Urdu is spoken the exact same as modern-day informal [[Hindi]], with the exceptions of some vocabulary differences. Hindi uses the traditional [[Devanagari|Devanagari script]] (from [[Sanskrit]]), whereas Urdu uses the [[Persian alphabet|Persio-Arabic alphabet]] and relies heavily on [[Persian language|Persian]] vocabulary with influences from Arabic as well. The poet [[Ghulam Hamadani Mushafi]] coined the term Urdu for this language in 1780. However, this began to alienate the two major cultures in India/Pakistan, the Muslims and Hindus. Hindus began to speak and write Hindi, whereas Muslims would begin to speak Urdu. This also lead to a need to "cleanse" Urdu of all its Sanskrit words and lead Hindi speakers to want to be rid of Persian words that remained in their language. in 1882 Arya Samaj argued that, Urdu should written in the [[Devanagari script]], which started the controversy named, Hindi-Urdu controversy, and makes a divide of Urdu language, Urdu for Muslims, and [[Hindi]] for Hindus.

== Relations to Persian ==

== Relations to Persian ==

=== Differences ===

=== Differences ===

The letters in Urdu are derived from the Persian/Farsi alphabet, which is derived from the Arabic alphabet. The additional letters that are found in Urdu include ٹ ,ڈ ,ڑ (ṫ, ḋ, ṙ). To make the alphabet more enriched two letters were created for sounds ه (h) and ی (y). By adding these letters to the existing Persian letters the Urdu alphabet became more suitable for the people of North India and Pakistan.

The letters in Urdu are derived from the Persian/Farsi alphabet, which is derived from the Arabic alphabet. The additional letters that are found in Urdu include ٹ ,ڈ ,ڑ (ṫ, ḋ, ṙ). To make the alphabet more enriched two letters were created for sounds ه (h) and ی (y). By adding these letters to the existing Persian letters the Urdu alphabet became more suitable for the people of [[Pakistan]] and North India.

=== Similarities ===

=== Similarities ===

== Levels of formality ==

== Levels of formality ==

=== Informal ===

=== Informal ===

Urdu in its less formalized register has been called a ''rekhta'' (ریختہ, ), meaning "rough mixture". The more formal register of Urdu is sometimes called ''zabān-e-Urdu-e-mo'alla'' (زبان اردو معلہ {{IPA|[zəbaːn eː ʊrd̪uː eː moəllaː]}}), the "Language of Camp and Court."

Urdu in its less formalized register has been called a ''rekhta'' (ریختہ, ), meaning "rough mixture". The more formal register of Urdu is sometimes called ''zabān-e-Urdu-e-mo'alla'' (زبان اردو معلہ {{IPA|[zəbaːn eː ʊrd̪uː eː moəllaː]}}), the "Language of Camp and Court."

In local translation, it is called ''Lashkari Zabān'' ({{Nastaliq|لشکری زبان}} [{{IPA|lʌʃkɜ:i: zɑ:bɑ:n}}])<ref>Khalid, Kanwal. "LAHORE DURING THE GHANAVID PERIOD."</ref> meaning "military language" or "military tongue" or "Hordish language". This can be shortened to ''Lashkari''.

In local translation, it is called ''Lashkari Zabān'' ({{Nastaliq|لشکری زبان}} [{{IPA|lʌʃkɜ:i: zɑ:bɑ:n}}])<ref>Khalid, Kanwal. "LAHORE DURING THE GHANAVID PERIOD."</ref> meaning "a language of crowds" or "language made up of many languages" or "military language". This can be shortened to ''Lashkari''.

The [[etymology]] of the word used in the Urdu language for the most part [[wikt:decides|decides]] how nice or well done your speech is. For example, Urdu speakers would distinguish between پانی ''pānī'' and آب ''āb'', both meaning "water" for example, or between آدمی  ''ādmi'' and مرد ''mard'', meaning "man." The first word is ad derivative from Adam (آدم) Arabic mean from Adam and it can be used for both man and woman in place of human being. Second word مرد ''mard''  refers to a gender or can be used for manly hood as well.

The [[etymology]] of the word used in the Urdu language for the most part [[wikt:decides|decides]] how nice or well done your speech is. For example, Urdu speakers would distinguish between پانی ''pānī'' and آب ''āb'', both meaning "water" for example, or between آدمی  ''ādmi'' and مرد ''mard'', meaning "man." The first word is ad derivative from Adam (آدم) Arabic mean from Adam and it can be used for both man and woman in place of human being. Second word مرد ''mard''  refers to a gender or can be used for manly hood as well.

If a word is of [[Persian language|Persian]] or [[Arabic language|Arabic]] origin, the level of speech is thought to be more formal. If [[Persian language|Persian]] or [[Arabic language|Arabic]] grammar [[wikt:constructs|constructs]], such as the izafat, are used in Urdu, the level of speech is also thought more formal and correct. If a word is inherited from [[Sanskrit]], the level of speech is thought more colloquial and personal.<ref name="University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill">{{cite web|url = http://www.unc.edu/| title = About Urdu| publisher = Afroz Taj (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill|accessdate = 2008-02-26}}</ref> The reason perhaps is the Moghuls (Turks ) influence over India deeming Sanskrit to be a lesser language than Persian or Urdu itself. For the longest time Persian was also official language of Moghul occupied territories.

If a word is of [[Persian language|Persian]] or [[Arabic language|Arabic]] origin, the level of speech is thought to be more formal. If [[Persian language|Persian]] or [[Arabic language|Arabic]] grammar [[wikt:constructs|constructs]], such as the izafat, are used in Urdu, the level of speech is also thought more formal and correct. If a word is inherited from [[Turkish]], the level of speech is thought more colloquial and personal.<ref name="University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill">{{cite web|url = http://www.unc.edu/| title = About Urdu| publisher = Afroz Taj (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill|accessdate = 2008-02-26}}</ref> The reason perhaps is the Turks influence over India deeming Sanskrit to be a lesser language than Persian or Urdu itself. For the longest time Persian was also official language of Mughul ruled territories.

=== Formal ===

=== Formal ===

== Poetics ==

== Poetics ==

Two very respected poets who are not only celebrated in the Indian subcontinent but are famous in many other communities worldwide are Mirza Ghalib and Sir Mohammad Iqbal. 

Two very respected poets who are not only celebrated in the South Asian subcontinent but are famous in many other communities worldwide are Mirza Ghalib and Sir Dr Muhammed Iqbal. 

=== Mirza Ghalib ===

=== Mirza Ghalib ===

''I was busy cleaning the mirror while the dirt was on my face.'' 

''I was busy cleaning the mirror while the dirt was on my face.'' 

=== Sir Mohammad Iqbal ===

=== Sir Dr Muhammed Iqbal ===

Iqbal (1877-1938) was a poet, and an active politician. He focused his poetry on bringing out the plight of the suffering Muslim community. In his poetry he very boldly highlighted the missing virtues and values in the morally corrupt society. Despite much opposition in the beginning, he ended up leaving a huge impact. He is also called the “Poet of the East” and the “Poet of Islam”. His work is displayed in the following verse;

Iqbal (1877-1938) was a poet, and an active politician. He focused his poetry on bringing out the plight of the suffering Muslim community of India. In his poetry he very boldly highlighted the missing virtues and values in the morally corrupt Indian society. Despite much opposition in the beginning, he ended up leaving a huge impact. He is also called the “Poet of the East” and the “Poet of Islam”. His work is displayed in the following verse;

(Latin/Roma Alphabet):     

(Latin/Roma Alphabet):     

''as I could never call a piece of poison a piece of candy.''  

''as I could never call a piece of poison a piece of candy.''  

Iqbal is considered by many an inspirational poet. He played a large role in the [[Pakistan Movement]], with many claiming that he was the one to spark it.

Iqbal is considered by many an inspirational poet. He played a large role in the [[Pakistan Movement]], with many claiming that he was the one to imagine and initiate it.

== Common Words/Phrases in Urdu ==

== Common Words/Phrases in Urdu ==

Formal Urdu:  

Formal Urdu:  

Aap tashreef rakhein = Please have a seat  

Aap tashreef rakhein = Please have a seat  

Me mu'azzarat chaahta/chaahti hun = Please excuse me/I apologize  

Main mu'azzarat chahta/chahti hun = Please excuse me/I apologize  

Informal Urdu: Aap bethein (You sit) or Tum betho (Sit, more informal)

Informal Urdu: Aap bethein (You sit) or Tum betho (Sit, more informal)

Me maafi chaahta/chaahti hun= I ask for forgiveness  

Main maafi chahta/chahti hun= I ask for forgiveness  

<nowiki>*************</nowiki>

<nowiki>*************</nowiki>

Aap kese hein? = How are you?  

Aap kaisay hein? = How are you?  

Me theek hun = I am fine

Main theek hun = I am fine

Assalam O Alaikum = Peace be upon you (It basically means hello, and it is a common greeting used in Islamic countries or among Muslims in general)

Assalam O Alaikum = Peace be upon you (It basically means hello, and it is a common greeting used in Islamic countries or among Muslims in general)

== Urdu vs Hindi--What's the difference? ==

== Urdu vs Hindi--What's the difference? ==

Urdu is a language spoken primarily in Pakistan. Its grammar and sentence structures are similar to, or rather exactly like Hindi, a language spoken primarily in India, which makes Hindi and Urdu speakers be able to have an easy, fluent conversation. Urdu and Hindi are very mutually intelligible with one another.

Urdu is a language spoken primarily in Pakistan. Its grammar and sentence structures are similar to [[Turkish]], [[Persian]], [[Arabic]].

 

[[Hindi]] is a language spoken primarily in India which is basically an easier version of [[Sanskrit]] Reason why Hindi and Urdu speakers are able to have a somewhat easy conversation with each other.

Urdu has a majority of its vocabulary words and phrases borrowed from Persian and Arabic, languages spoken in Iran, Afghanistan, and in many countries of the Middle East. Urdu's written script is also in the exact alphabets and scripts of Persian-Arabic. That is why, they are able to read and write easily in Arabic and Persian. Urdu is the Persianized form of Hindi.

Name of colors, objects, feelings, and more are all different in Urdu than in Hindi. They are primarily used in books, shows, and poetry, with the Persian words used and understood, seen as more formal and Urdu. However, informal Urdu, which is spoken among family members and friends in Pakistan, basically use the Hindi words for many things as well, as Pakistan and India used to be a single country and only recently came to split in 1947. That is why, you will not easily distinguish between an Urdu versus a Hindi speaker in informal, day to day conversations unless they use vocabulary specific to either one of their languages. That is why, you will often see many YouTube videos or movies stating their language as "Urdu/Hindi". Books and articles will not have "Urdu/Hindi" written since these two languages use completely different scripts alien to one another.

Urdu has a majority of its vocabulary words and phrases borrowed from Persian, Turkish and Arabic, languages spoken in Turkey, Iran, Saudi Arabia, many countries of the Middle East and in Afghanistan etc. Urdu's written script is also in the exact alphabets and scripts of Persian-Arabic and Turkish. That is why, they are able to read and write easily in Arabic and Persian. Urdu is the Persianized form of Turkish and Arabic.

You can think of Urdu as British English written in Chinese alphabets and Hindi as American English written in Egyptian hieroglyphs--except with more vocabulary differences and less accent differences (with some tone differences).

Name of colors, objects, feelings, animals and more are all different in Urdu and Hindi

== References ==

== References ==

== Other sources ==

== Other sources ==

*Encyclopædia Britannica [http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/404090/nastaliq-script Nastaʿlīq script]

* [http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/404090/nastaliq-script Nastaʿlīq script at Encyclopædia Britannica]

 

*[https://ia601503.us.archive.org/20/items/7977-urdu-lashkari-zuban-bookspk/7977_urdu-lashkari-zuban-bookspk.pdf ترتیب وڈیزائننگ ایم پی خاؿ اردولشکری زبان] (sample texts)

 

[[Category:Languages of Pakistan]]

[[Category:Languages of Pakistan]]