NewsMakers-Daily Latest Urdu Breaking News Updates We Make Better News
Date: June 29, 2025 | By: NewsMakers Desk
Popular Pakistani actress Zara Noor Abbas made a surprising and humorous confession during a recent appearance on a Punjabi TV show: she can’t speak Punjabi fluently — except when it comes to swear words.
The show had a special twist: it was hosted by none other than her mother, veteran actress Asma Abbas, who is known for her flawless command over Punjabi. When Zara was asked to speak a sentence in Punjabi, she struggled and finally laughed it off, saying, “I can only speak Punjabi when it comes to swearing.”
“Not Just After Marriage — I Never Knew Punjabi Well”
During the show, Zara explained that she married into an Urdu-speaking family, which further limited her exposure to Punjabi. However, when asked whether she could speak the language before marriage — when she lived with her Punjabi-speaking family — Zara admitted she had never been fluent in it.
Social Media Backlash: “This Is Not Something to Be Proud Of”
Her remarks quickly sparked a wave of criticism on social media. Many users found her attitude towards her mother tongue disappointing and insensitive.
One user questioned:
“Why do Punjabis feel such a complex about their own language?”
Another wrote:
“My kids were born and raised in the UK, and they still speak Urdu, English, and Punjabi fluently. Their teacher is proud they know so many languages.”
A harsher comment aimed directly at Zara read:
“This is nothing to be proud of. It’s shameful. She grew up in Punjab and still can’t speak Punjabi? That’s not just ignorance — it shows a deep inferiority complex.”
The Bigger Question: Is Language Just a Tool — or a Cultural Identity?
Zara Noor Abbas’s remarks have reignited an ongoing debate: Is not knowing your mother tongue merely a personal shortcoming, or does it reflect a wider societal attitude toward regional languages?
When language becomes tied to identity, it’s no longer just about communication — it’s about pride, heritage, and belonging.
