Language

The main language spoken by the Pakistani community is Urdu, but there are other dialects such as Punjabi, Mirpuri and Sindi in use.  

Urdu, Punjabi and other languages :  

·         Many members of Pakistani communities outside of Pakistan will speak Punjabi as a language of the home and Urdu as a second language.But for religious and cultural reasons are likely to describe themselves as Urdu speakers. This is often the case in Northern Ireland.  

·         Punjabi is largely an oral language. When it is written by Pakistanis it uses the same script as Urdu, not the script developed for Punjabi in India.  

English Proficiency:  

·          Around 50% of first generation Pakistanis are proficient in spoken English: around 25% are basic level English speakers.  

·         Just under 50% of first generation Pakistanis write English proficiently with around 35% having basic written English.  

·         Of the second generation the vast majority speak and write English proficiently; a small number would have difficulty with written English.  

·         Age: There is a strong correlation between age and levels of English with younger people much more likely to speak and write English to a higher level.  

·         Occupation: there is a strong correlation between types of employment and English levels. Those undertaking work in the home (mainly women) have the lowest levels, followed by traders and those in business. Professionals and students have much higher levels of English.  

·         The vast majority (92%) of Pakistani households have at least one person proficient in English.  

·         Service users from this community may require an intrepreter.