language barrier for new sikhs?
By Khalsa Starr

About half a year ago, i converted to Sikhism. And even though i don't call myself a Sikh yet (not amritdhari yet), i do try to follow as much of the Sikh code of conduct to the best of my ability. (thanks to s1ngh!! again)


However, I have noticed something while going to the local Gurdwara - all of the talking in the temple was in Punjabi, especially in the main hall. The langar room was also a difficult place to navigate and talk with others since very few spoke fluent english. There were those who did speak both, but not very easily understood.

This made me ask a question: "is there a language barrier for new sikhs?" especially converts?. I asked this question because for new people, we want to learn new things and more about Sikh teachings. Converts are usually very eager to learn more about sikhi (like myslef). However, it a little difficult to learn when you can't understand what is being said!

I'snt a gurdwara supposed to be a place for learning and enlightment? not a place of confusion and isolation?"


After asking these questions, i then realized that i am probably not the only one who has run into this wall. While i already know some Sikh history and the code of conduct, what about those who are just curious? or want more information? So far the internet has been my greatest teacher, but just think about it - isnt the temple and granth sahib supposed to your teacher?

I asked someone about this, and they said that the granth sahib should only be read and spoken in the "language of the guru's" aka punjabi. Well that's great and all, but to me (and others newbies), the "language of the gurus" is useless and pointless if you dont understand it.

So to make things even more interesting, the gurudwara doesnt even have any english words on the building or nearby to suggest that this is a Sikh place of worship. Where is a curious mind supposed to go? Or the new convert? The internet first? come on, if the sikhims was really meant to be learned on the net, wouldn't the guru's mention it? I think not.

I decided to pursue this problem and see what can be done about it. Until then i (and others) will continue to sit on the floor in the main hall and langar room and wonder what our "teachers" are saying...


-khalsa Starr


If any one is interestied in this issue, I'm currently looking for fellow sikhs who are new (converts, or reborn) and sikhs who are open minded and can think "outside the box". I am thinking about setting up a group for this.

As an English person who goes to Gurudwara I can tell you I fully back you up on this. Guru Granth Sahib's teachings is NOT for Sikhs, it is for ALL. All Gurudwaras should provide translation throughout the day in western countries to help cater for the minority... or ir maybe an idea to have three halls in Gurudwara, one with Punjabi SGGS, one for functions and other with English SGGS... Keep the English and Punjabi hall open at all times to everyone can get benefit. I know some Gurudwaras translate but I can tell you for a FACT they only do it at the busy times which is useless for someone like me who goes during daytime kirtan or reading or whatever...
Hopefully there will be a day where there are Gurudwaras like mentioned above of Gurudwaras that have English SGGS.

__________________

One thing i mentioned on another forum, is that there should be english only programs at one part of the day for some of us who dont understand punajabi, or those who are jsut curious. Every gurdwara should hold a copy of SGGS in English or whatever language that is comman outside.

Also, some english signage should be placed outside to mention that all are welcome and that this place is a Sikh place of worship.

-KS

Dear Khlasa - As a "traditional" (born and raised as Sikh in India) Sikh and now living in USA, I can truely understand your problem.

The "Global" Sikh is in a emerging phase right now and needs lots of nurturing. This problem is not only faced by newly converts but also by the next generation kids who are born to Sikh immigrants outside India.

There are few steps being taken by the Sikh Community to handle the problems faced by Global Sikhs.

As you said, the internet has been the most helpful. There were no Sikh related website 10 years back and now there are tons of them.

There was only couple of English tralsations of SGGS couple of decades back, and now there are many.

The Sikh community is gearing up to handle this multiple "translations" (or interpretations) of SGGS and trying to come up with one single Panth approved English translation of SGGS. This is needed to avoid any mis interprations of SGGS teachings by various translators.

For you, I would suggest, download english translations from internet. I will not recommend/approve any as I have not studied all of them (yet). But, there is enough information on the net.

And then there are SPN sewadars (including myself) of this forum who will be ready to help you anytime with the best of our humble knowledge.

Regards

Dear Khalsa Ji, Yours is truly a predicament and one which I truly understand and realise. However, let me assure you this is by no means onbly peculiar to 'new converts' or 'born again sikhs'. There are many like me, who were born into Sikhism and married into Sikhism but into an environment where Punjabi was and is not commonly spoken. This has not only resulted in my immediate family now not speaking the language but even not understanding it. The question arises as you have asked, how can we appreciate the services when we do not understand them.

The mainstream Sikhs have thus far refused to see the need for services to be held in any other language other than the native. Like you, I certainly feel we should look into this matter and enhance the values of Sikhism for one and all, immaterial of language backgrounds. This was the case of some Buddhists here in Singapore and they got to have some Buddhist leader from Australia to help out with English language services and have now expanded to a sizeable number.

You might not find immediate and big numbers to support you immediately but I guess with the movemnt gaining momentum, you just might be the Piped Piper of Sikhism!

I would say, go..Go...GO for it!

COUNT ME IN! I figure it will take me 4 years of study to get myself to a point where I can understand spoken Punjabi as well as a 7 YO native speaker. Plus the beauty of gurbani transcends language; why not share that beauty? There are so many non-Punjabi people who would be blown away by the SGGS if they encountered it.

Let's do this, Khalsaji!

Good, thanks Jogindar Singh, we will set up the group via msn, or perhaps yahoo, or even better tribe.net!

I'll pm you on this, ok?

To any one else interested: i will set up a group soon and will include any one interested who wants to discuss this topic and come up with ideas to counter this issue.

If we get enough ideas and ppl involved, we can then act on our ideas!

-Khalsa Starr

This is an add on to THIS topic, and this time, it is for the youth side of the possible language barrier.



My friend and I had a very deep and informative disucssion on the phone a few day ago, in that conversation we discussed various issues, but mostly on the language topic.

I found most disturbing was this:

In our gurdwara, all of the services are in punjabi, and most of the families do sit in the main hall. As i looked around though, it appeared that most of our younger audience looked more interested in the crumbs on the floor than the speaker or singers. It then came to me that some of us didn't know what what going on, i wasn't alone!

I heard the sound of kids in the hallway, they were playing hide-and-seek. I looked outside, a group of Sikh teens were playing basketball. Am i the only one that sees a problem here? I have a good idea that most of these ppl don't spend more time in the main hall cause they don't know what is going on. It turns out, the language issue pops up again.

I was shocked to learn that many of the younger generations and some of the even the older ppl don't understand punjabi! Not to mention, probably more can't even read gurmakhi.

Now, isnt our youth supposed to understanding and carrying on the word of Sikhism? and isnt the future of our religion in our youth?
Well how will that be when most of our youth don't even understand or can't read what's is being tought?

This might be a small factor in why some of our youth find it a little dry or boreing at the temple becasue they don't understand what's going on or what is being said. I even at times found myself being a little tired of listening to something i didn't understand.

Times are changing, and more ppl will want to be sikhs - ppl who don't neccesarily understand punjabi. We need to start bringing in a few changes if we want to change with the times. I don't honestly like it, however it is for the greater good and it will make going to temple a little bit more enjoyable for some.

This makes me wonder how many more youth all over the world don't understand what is going on.

Some thoughts and observations to ponder on.

Have any ideas or change? Have any gurdwara expriences that areflect this issue? please tell us what you feel on this topic.

-Khalsa Starr

BTW, i'm seeting up a internet group for ppl interested more on this issue.

We've met on Tribe.Net (I'm Mojave66 over there) but I think that Yahoo Groups gives us a better numerical chance to do some outreach and get the group going.

GurFateh!