Indic language (7) - Crossword Clue
Answer: PUNJABI
Understanding the Crossword Clue
- Indic language (7) is asking for a seven-letter name of a language from the Indian subcontinent. The answer is PUNJABI, a major Indo-Aryan language spoken primarily in the Punjab regions of India and Pakistan.
- Punjabi ranks among the most widely spoken languages globally, with over 100 million native speakers.
- This vibrant language uses the Gurmukhi script in India and the Shahmukhi script (Persian-Arabic based) in Pakistan, making it unique in its dual-script system.
Related Indic Languages in Crosswords
- Bengali (7 letters) - spoken in Bangladesh and West Bengal
- Marathi (7 letters) - official language of Maharashtra
- Gujarati (8 letters) - doesn't fit this clue
- Sanskrit (8 letters) - classical language
Tips for Solving Similar Crossword Clues
- Check the letter count first - The number in parentheses (7) is your primary constraint. Eliminate options that don't match.
- Look for crossing letters - Use intersecting words to confirm vowels and consonants, especially the initial 'P' and final 'I'.
- Consider common crossword languages - Punjabi appears frequently because it's well-known internationally and has a convenient letter count.
- Think geographically - "Indic" specifically points to the Indian subcontinent, not just any Asian language.
- Remember script variations - While the answer is spelled in Roman letters, knowing that Punjabi has two script systems can help with themed puzzles.
- Watch for alternative clues - This language might also be clued as "Language of Amritsar," "Bhangra language," or "Sikh scripture language."
Indic language (7) - 7 Little Words - FAQs
Q: Is Punjabi only spoken in India?
A: No, Punjabi is spoken in both India and Pakistan, with Pakistan having the larger Punjabi-speaking population. It's also widely spoken in diaspora communities in Canada, UK, and USA.
Q: Why does Punjabi have seven letters in crosswords?
A: The standard English spelling is P-U-N-J-A-B-I, which totals seven letters, making it a perfect fit for this clue format.
Q: Are there other valid answers for "Indic language (7)"?
A: Yes, Bengali and Marathi are also seven-letter Indic languages. However, context from crossing letters usually determines which is correct.
Q: What does "Indic" specifically mean?
A: "Indic" refers to the Indo-Aryan languages of the Indian subcontinent, derived from Sanskrit and including Hindi, Bengali, Gujarati, Marathi, and Punjabi among others.
Q: Is Punjabi related to Hindi?
A: Yes, both are Indo-Aryan languages sharing common Sanskrit roots and significant vocabulary overlap, though they have distinct grammatical features and pronunciation patterns.
Q: Why is Punjabi considered a tonal language?
A: Punjabi uses pitch variations to distinguish word meanings, a feature uncommon in most other Indo-Aryan languages, making it linguistically distinctive in its family.
