DefinePK

Abstract

This paper aimed at identifying the syllable templates of the Punjabi language. Punjabi isan important language of sub-continent and is widely spoken in India and Pakistanespecially in the Punjab region. The research is important because there is dearth of workon the theoretical aspect of Punjabi language and also because it is syllabic language. Inorder to conduct the present research, a sample of 1500 words was randomly chosen froma Punjabi dictionary to identify the syllable templates of Punjabi language. These wordswere syllabified in order to draw out the syllable templates. The study identified ten mostfrequent syllable templates in the Punjabi language by determining their frequencies also.The identified templates were V, CV, VC, CVC, CVCC, VV, CVV, VVC, CVVC, CVVCC.Some onset consonant cluster constraints were also identified. This research is implicativeas it will help the readers understand the syllabic structure of Punjabi language as well aspave new avenues for research on indigenous languages in the region.