The Source Book On Sikhism

Sanskrit Punjabi Meaning

Dipa Diva Lamp

Dipawali Divavali A festival (-Diwali)

Kotapala Kotval A police officer

Gopala Govala Cowherd

Kacchhapa Kachhuva Tortoise

Mandapa Manduva Stage

Api Vi Also

Rule V1. The sound of ‘sh’ in the classical language is very often changed into ‘kh’ in the modern language.

The rule immediately reminds one of the two ways of pronouncing ‘ch’ in different parts of Germany, the first pronunciation approximating to that of ‘sh’ and the second, to that of ‘kh’. The following examples from German will make the point clearer.

German Pronunciation Meaning

Ich ish or ikh Nichi

Misht or Nikht Not MichMish or Mikh Me

Richt Risht or Rikht Right

The following examples of interchangeability of ‘sh’ and ‘kh’ sounds in the Iranian group are striking.

First Form Second Meaning

Pushta Pukhta Strong

Pushto Pukhto A language

Pashtoon Pakhtoon A pathan

The examples of change of ‘sh’ into ‘kh’ in the study of Punjabi are almost numberless.