Here's what we know:
* It's a major language: Punjabi is one of the most spoken languages in the world.
* Widely spoken in India and Pakistan: It's the official language of the Indian state of Punjab and is also widely spoken in Pakistan, particularly in the Punjab province.
* Significant diaspora: Large Punjabi-speaking communities exist in countries like Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Estimates range from 100 to 130 million speakers worldwide. This includes native speakers and those who speak it as a second language.
Important factors to consider:
* Dialect variations: Punjabi has several distinct dialects, making it challenging to categorize all speakers as a single group.
* Defining "speaker": How fluent does someone need to be in Punjabi to be counted as a speaker? Do those who understand the language but don't speak it fluently count?
Ultimately, it's safe to say that Punjabi is spoken by a very large number of people globally, making it a significant language both culturally and linguistically.