Major Influences:
* Sanskrit: As a member of the Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European language family, Punjabi shares a common ancestor with Sanskrit. Many words and grammatical structures are directly borrowed or influenced by Sanskrit.
* Persian: During the Mughal period, Punjabi came into contact with Persian, the language of the ruling class. Persian vocabulary, especially terms related to administration, culture, and literature, significantly influenced Punjabi.
* Arabic: Similar to Persian, Arabic also made its way into Punjabi vocabulary due to the influence of Islam and the spread of Islamic learning. Many Arabic words related to religion, law, and philosophy are found in Punjabi.
* Prakrit Languages: The Prakrit languages, which evolved from Sanskrit and were spoken in ancient India, also influenced the development of Punjabi. These languages contributed vocabulary and grammatical structures to the language.
Other Influences:
* Turkish: The presence of Turkic speakers in the Punjab region, particularly during the Mughal period, led to some Turkish vocabulary entering Punjabi.
* English: During British rule, English vocabulary and grammatical structures entered Punjabi. This is particularly noticeable in modern Punjabi, where many English words are used in everyday conversation.
* Other Indian Languages: Punjabi has also been influenced by other Indian languages spoken in its geographical proximity, such as Hindi, Urdu, and Haryanvi.
It's important to note that these influences haven't simply added isolated words. They've contributed to the overall vocabulary, grammar, and cultural expressions of the language. Punjabi, therefore, is a rich and vibrant language with a complex and fascinating history of linguistic interaction.