How do languages become endangered and what is the status of Punjabi?
Language diversity is essential to the human heritage and each and every language embodies the unique cultural wisdom of a people is the UNESCO mandate. Although 6,000 languages exist, the cooperative efforts of language communities, language professionals, NGOs and governments will be indispensable in countering the threat to the existence of many. UNESCO undertakes extensive research into the status of languages worldwide. We view UNESCO guidelines in the context of Punjabi language. UNESCO says, A language is endangered when its speakers cease to use it, use it in an increasingly reduced number of communicative domains, and cease to pass it on from one generation to the next and if a language looses all its speakers, it becomes an extinct langugage. Well, as far as present-day Punjabis are concerned, they do use Punjabi, may be somewhat less, but they do pass it on from one generation to another. The Sikhs and Muslims continue do so. UNESCO further says, Language endangerment may be
