The threat to the survival of the Punjabi language in Canada is mainly due to the growing distance of the new generation from it. The new generation of Punjabi immigrants, especially those born and raised in Canada, is adopting English as the main language of communication. The main reason for this is the use of English at home by parents and the lack of encouragement of the Punjabi language.
At the three-day conference of the World Punjabi Sabha Canada (2025), Dr. Dalbir Singh Kathuria and other scholars put the responsibility on parents that they use English words with children at home, which reduces the love for Punjabi in children. Sukhi Baath, Chairman of Punjab Bhawan Surrey, stressed that there is a need to create an environment of Punjabi at home, otherwise the mother tongue of the children becomes English.
In addition, the previous generation of Punjabi immigrants (age 40-60) also focused more on settling in Canada, due to which their children did not get the opportunity to learn Punjabi. As a result, 80% of the new generation has lost touch with the Punjabi language. Status and Status of the Punjabi Language in Canada
The Punjabi language has a strong position in Canada and is one of the most spoken languages in the country. According to the 2021 Canadian Census, Punjabi is the fifth most spoken non-official language in Canada, with over 520,000 people using it as their mother tongue. Its presence is felt especially in provinces like British Columbia, Ontario, and Alberta due to the growing number of Punjabi communities.
According to government statistics, the number of Punjabi speakers has increased by 10-12% from 2020 to 2025, but its active use is decreasing due to the distance of the new generation. The Canadian government has taken several steps to promote the Punjabi language. For example, schools in British Columbia and Ontario have the facility to teach Punjabi as a second language. The use of Punjabi can also be seen in government documents and services.
According to Canadian Sikh intellectual Dr. Gurvinder Singh Dhaliwal, the government alone cannot solve this problem; active participation of parents and the community is necessary. He says that several organizations and gurdwaras are working to preserve and promote the Punjabi language in Canada. Organizations like Punjab Bhawan Surrey and Punjab Bhawan Brampton organize events, workshops and cultural programs to promote Punjabi culture and language. Several gurdwaras run weekly Punjabi classes, in which children are trained to speak, read and write Punjabi.
Organizations like Vishwa Punjabi Sabha Canada bring together scholars and cultural activists to discuss the issue of Punjabi language. In addition, several Sikh organizations organize book fairs, poet darbars and cultural competitions to promote Punjabi literature and heritage. However, despite these efforts, only 20% of the new generation is connected to Punjabi, which shows the seriousness of this problem.
Dr. Puran Singh Vancouver says that most of the previous generation of Punjabis, who are 40-60 years old, can speak Punjabi, but their ability to read and write is low. The reason for this is that Punjabi education is limited in the school curriculum and its written use is not encouraged even at home. This problem is even more serious among the new generation, because they receive education in English and also use English on social media.
What do the government and Panthic organizations need to do?
Intellectuals and cultural activists believe that the government and Panthic organizations need to work together to save the Punjabi language. Sukhi Bath suggested that competitions and prize competitions for Punjabi heritage words be started. This will increase interest in Punjabi among the new generation and their parents. The government needs to give more prominence to Punjabi in the school curriculum and provide financial support to local Punjabi cultural institutions. Panthic organizations need to be more active in promoting Punjabi education in gurdwaras. Scholars have suggested that long-term plans be made, such as promoting Punjabi literature on digital platforms, promoting Punjabi content on social media, and organizing cultural events to bring Punjabi culture into the mainstream.
Punjabi litterateurs Dr. Waryam Singh Sandhu and Dr. Jaspal Kaur Kang have stressed that parents should increase the use of Punjabi at home. They believe that while government efforts are important, there is a need to increase activities at the community and family level.
