Urdu Language Overview

Study Notes

Introduction

Urdu is the national language of Pakistan and one of the official languages of India. It has its origins in the Hindi and Persian languages and has been influenced by other regional languages like Punjabi, Gujarati, Rajasthani, Bengali, Kashmiri, and Brahui. In this article, we will explore various aspects of the Urdu language, including its alphabet, grammar, vocabulary, literature, and script.

Alphabet

The Urdu alphabet consists of 39 letters borrowed from Arabic and Persian scripts, with additional diacritical marks used to indicate vowels and pronunciation variations. These letters can create seven basic sounds: five consonants (ب, پ, ت, ٹ, ڈ), one semivowel (ث), and a glottal stop (ڑ).

Alphabet and Consonants

The Urdu alphabet includes the following consonants:

ب (B) - Voiced bilabial stop
پ (P) - Voiceless bilabial stop
ت (T) - Voiced dental stop
ٹ (Ṭ) - Voiceless dental stop
ڈ (Ṅ) - Voiced retroflex stop
ث (Ṣ) - Voiceless glottal stop

Vowels and Semi-Vowels

The Urdu alphabet also includes the following vowels and semi-vowels:

ا (U) - Open front unrounded vowel
ا̄ (Ū) - Close front unrounded vowel
اَ (Ū) - Open-mid front unrounded vowel
اَ̄ (Ū) - Close-mid front unrounded vowel
اے (Ū) - Open-mid front rounded vowel
اِ (Ū) - Close-mid front rounded vowel
ا̈ (Ū) - Closed front rounded vowel
اَ̄ (Ū) - Half-open front unrounded vowel
اَ̄ (Ū) - Half-open front rounded vowel
اَ̄ (Ū) - Half-open central vowel
اَ̄ (Ū) - Half-open back vowel
اَ̄ (Ū) - Open back rounded vowel
اَ̄ (Ū) - Close back rounded vowel
اُ (Ū) - Mid central vowel
اْ (Ū) - Low central vowel

Additionally, the following diacritical marks are used to modify the sounds of these vowels:

ے (Ē) - Long vowel
ہ (Ĥ) - Short vowel
ھـ (Ĝ) - Syllabic sound
ج (-) - Vowel nasalization
گ (-) - Vocalic glide
ش (-) - Oral fricative
ض (-) - Nasalized glottal stop
ظ (-) - Glottal stop + fricative

Grammar

Urdu grammar follows a Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) word order structure similar to English. However, it also includes inflection of nouns, verbs, and adjectives based on gender, plurality, tense, and person. Additionally, it employs a complex system of particles that function as prepositions, conjunctions, and interjections.

Vocabulary

Urdu vocabulary has been influenced by various sources, including Persian, Arabic, Sanskrit, Turkish, Greek, and English. Some common phrases in Urdu include greetings, such as "Assalamu-alaikum" (peace be upon you), questions like "Kaisa ho?" (how are you?), and expressions like "Mujhe pyar hai" (I love you).

Literature

Urdu literature dates back to the 12th century and encompasses various genres, including poetry, prose fiction, drama, and essays. Notable works in Urdu literature include the poem "Gulistan" by Sultan Bahu and the story collection "Umar Marvi" by Mirza Ghalib.

Script

The Urdu script is a variant of the Perso-Arabic script and includes additional letters borrowed from Arabic and other regional scripts. It is written right to left and has been adapted for use on keyboards. The script also employs diacritical marks to indicate vowels and modify sounds.

In conclusion, Urdu is a rich and complex language with its roots in various sources and influences. Its alphabet, grammar, vocabulary, literature, and script all contribute to the unique character and depth of this vibrant language.

Description

Explore the alphabet, grammar, vocabulary, literature, and script of the Urdu language. Learn about the unique sounds, diacritical marks, word order structure, diverse vocabulary sources, and rich literary tradition of Urdu.