Arabic-Origin Vocabulary in Punjabi: A Linguistic Analysis of Words under Ṣād (ص) and Ḍād (ض) in the Punjabi-Urdu Dictionary

Abstract

Language contact has been a constant feature of human history, resulting in extensive lexical borrowing across cultures. Among world languages, Arabic has exerted a profound influence, particularly on the local and official languages of South Asia, through trade, political and cultural relations, as well as the enduring authority of the Qur’an and Hadith. Punjabi, like other regional languages, has assimilated a significant number of Arabic-origin terms. This study undertakes a linguistic and analytical examination of selected Arabic loanwords in Punjabi, with reference to the Punjabi-Urdu Dictionary. The focus is limited to words beginning with the letters Ṣād (ص) and Ḍād (ض), verified as authentic borrowings from Arabic. The analysis reveals that while many of these words preserve their original semantic value, others display shifts in meaning within Punjabi usage. By documenting and comparing these lexical items, the study highlights the depth of Arabic influence on Punjabi vocabulary and the dynamics of semantic adaptation.