Punjabi necessary to be Sikh?

[Ryujin]

Hello! This is my first post here and I wanted to know, is knowing, at least a small amount of Punjabi, necessary to convert to Sikhism? In the same way that knowing at least a small amount of Arabic is necessary to convert to Islam?

 

[Breathe]

Hi Ryujin,
Welcome to RF.

Short answer: not really, but it'd be heavily encouraged.

It's worth noting there is a fair bit of difference between Old Punjabi and modern Punjabi, too, and the Guru Granth Sahib is not written solely in Punjabi, but is written in multiple languages termed 'Sant Bhasha'.

It's not essential, but it's highly recommended. Sikhs don't really believe in the concept of sacred languages, as stuff like this seems pretty superstitious, and thus to be avoided as it is not spiritually helpful.

Although, to become a baptised Sikh -- that is, one who keeps all Five Ks and is initiated into the Khalsa, it acts pretty much a requirement to be able to understand the text in its own language, because Sikhism expects you to be able to understand the language and the meanings behind the text. That would be superstitious in the eyes of Sikhism. To some degree, anyway.

Not to mention that a lot of the older generation may not speak English that well.
But, people can start picking it up easily. That's the beauty of immersion.

So no -- but strongly encouraged.

 

[Sb1995]

No, anyone can be a Sikh, black white or brown. Waheguru

 

[ranvirk]

R u serious, Ofcourse no. But u will Enjoi listening to sikhism hymns... They r just beautiful

 

[Sb1995]

R u serious, Ofcourse no. But u will Enjoi listening to sikhism hymns... They r just beautiful

he is 100% correct satnam sri waheguru.

 

[GURSIKH]

Hi Ryujin,
Welcome to RF.

Short answer: not really, but it'd be heavily encouraged.

It's worth noting there is a fair bit of difference between Old Punjabi and modern Punjabi, too, and the Guru Granth Sahib is not written solely in Punjabi, but is written in multiple languages termed 'Sant Bhasha'.

It's not essential, but it's highly recommended. Sikhs don't really believe in the concept of sacred languages, as stuff like this seems pretty superstitious, and thus to be avoided as it is not spiritually helpful.

Although, to become a baptised Sikh -- that is, one who keeps all Five Ks and is initiated into the Khalsa, it acts pretty much a requirement to be able to understand the text in its own language, because Sikhism expects you to be able to understand the language and the meanings behind the text. That would be superstitious in the eyes of Sikhism. To some degree, anyway.

Not to mention that a lot of the older generation may not speak English that well.
But, people can start picking it up easily. That's the beauty of immersion.

So no -- but strongly encouraged.

Well Said ,Bhai

 

[Breathe]

Well Said ,Bhai

Thank you, bhai.

 

[chinu]

Hello! This is my first post here and I wanted to know, is knowing, at least a small amount of Punjabi, necessary to convert to Sikhism? In the same way that knowing at least a small amount of Arabic is necessary to convert to Islam?

Yes, Its necessary to learn Punjabi in order to understand "Guru Granth Sahib" But it isn't necessary to learn Punjabi in order to be a Sikh. Imo, the disciple of any True-Spiritual-Guru in this world can be named as Sikh. And further its the choice of that Guru to explain Spirituality in any easy language which Guru find convenient for his/her student to understand.