🗣️ Linguistic Diversity of Kot Addu

🌍 1. Saraiki (سرائیکی) – The Dominant Language

- Spoken by approximately 80% of the population.

• It serves as the primary language for daily communication, business, agriculture, and cultural expression.

• Closely related to Punjabi but with its own grammar, vocabulary, and poetic tradition.

• Saraiki folk songs, Sufi poetry, and local literature hold a central place in community life.

🏞️ 2. Punjabi (پنجابی)

• Spoken by around 11–12% of residents, primarily in areas closer to central Punjab or among migrant communities.

• Understandable to most Saraiki speakers due to linguistic overlap.

• Used in trade and occasionally in media or family settings.

🏙️ 3. Urdu (اردو) – National Language

• Widely understood and taught in schools.

• Used in official communication, education, and interethnic dialogue.

• Often spoken in formal settings or when interacting with outsiders.

⛰️ 4. Pashto (پشتو)

• Spoken by about 2–3% of the population, largely among Afghan-origin families or Pashtun traders.

• More common in specific pockets of the city or among seasonal labor migrants.

🌐 5. English – Emerging Among Educated Youth

• Not a native language but commonly taught in schools and used in higher education.

• Gaining ground in professional and academic environments, especially in private schools and colleges.

---

📊 Approximate Language Distribution

---

🧭 Cultural & Social Implications

- Saraiki identity is deeply tied to Kot Addu’s rural roots, Sufi traditions, and poetic heritage.

• Linguistic pluralism contributes to peaceful coexistence and cultural exchange.

• Government and NGO literacy programs often use bilingual models (Saraiki/Urdu) to promote education.

---

📚 Language in Education & Media

• Government schools primarily teach in Urdu and English.

• Saraiki is used in early education and informal learning environments.

• Local radio and regional TV often broadcast in Saraiki and Punjabi.