Punjabi University launches Punjabi-English Dictionary Android App to mark international mother language day

Patiala / February 21, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)

In a significant leap towards the digital advancement of the Punjabi language, Punjabi University, Patiala, officially launched the Punjabi-English Dictionary Android Mobile Application today.

The launch coincided with International Mother Language Day, celebrating the university’s commitment to preserving and promoting the mother tongue through modern technology.

The application has been developed by the university’s Research Center for Technical Development of Punjabi Language, Literature, and Culture (RCTDPL).

Inaugurating the app, Vice Chancellor, Dr. Jagdeep Singh, emphasized that integrating the Punjabi language with contemporary technology is the “need of the hour.” he said.

“This app is a vital step in our mission to make Punjabi accessible globally. It will prove to be an invaluable resource for students, teachers, researchers, writers, and the Punjabi diaspora living across the world,” he added.

The digital dictionary is based on the 2002 edition of the Punjabi-English Dictionary published by the Department of Lexicography, Punjabi University. Its features include, Extensive Database containing 35,679 root words and 129,834 word forms, Dual-Script Support – a first-of-its-kind app allows users to search for words in both Gurmukhi and Shahmukhi scripts,. audio pronunciation that provides accurate audio pronunciations for each entry, flexible search that features a consonant-based search (fuzzy search), enabling users to find words even if they do not enter specific vowel markers and a reverse lookup that allows users to search for Punjabi words by entering their English meanings.

The project was conceptualized by Dr. Gurpreet Singh Lehal, Founder Director of the RCTDPL, who originally digitized the university’s dictionary. The app was brought to fruition under the leadership of the current Director, Dr. Dharamveer Sharma.

The development team included significant contributions from – Dr. Harvinder Pal Kaur (Head, Department of Linguistics and Punjabi Lexicography), Dr. Tejinder Singh Saini, Dr. Ankur Rana, Ramandeep Kaur Chahal, Rakesh Davara, Dr. Jaspal Singh and Tanveer Akhtar.

The launch of this app marks a new milestone in the technical evolution of the Punjabi language, ensuring its relevance and accessibility in the digital age.