Table of Contents
What is Gujarati Language?
Gujarati language is an Indo-Aryan language with more than 70 million speakers worldwide. It is the sixth most widely spoken language in India and the twenty-sixth most widely spoken language in the world. Gujarati is commonly spoken in the Indian state of Gujarat and is also spoken in the neighboring states of Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh. There are a few small Gujarati-speaking communities in other parts of India, such as Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata. Gujarati is one of the 22 official languages and 14 regional languages of India.
Outside of India, Gujarati is spoken by a significant diaspora community in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia. There are also smaller Gujarati-speaking communities in other countries, such as South Africa, Kenya, and the Middle East.
Read more about Gujarati Alphabet and Gujarati Numbers
History of Gujarati Language
The Gujarati language traverses three key historical stages:
Old Gujarati (1200–1500 CE)
Spoken by the Gurjars across regions like Gujarat, Punjab, and Rajputana, Old Gujarati emerged in the 12th century. It featured distinctive elements and laid its grammatical foundation through “Prakrita Vyakarana,” authored by Acharya Hemachandra Suri.
Middle Gujarati
This transitional phase from Old to Modern Gujarati witnessed significant phonological changes, including the removal of the final ‘ə’ and the introduction of a new plural marker ‘-o.’
Modern Gujarati (1800–present)
The 19th century marked literary milestones, and standardization efforts in the 1920s solidified the modern form of Gujarati. This linguistic journey reflects adaptability amid diverse influences, cultural shifts, and societal changes.
Gujarati Speaking Countries
| Gujarati Speaking Countries | Number of Speakers (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| India | 63,872,399 |
| Pakistan | 3,500,000 |
| United States | 1,520,000 |
| United Kingdom | 864,000 |
| Canada | 209,410 |
| Australia | 108,341 |
| Kenya | 72,000 |
| Bangladesh | 60,000 |
| Oman | 45,000 |
| South Africa | 40,000 |
| Iran | 36,800 |
| Portugal | 30,000 |
| New Zealand | 28,000 |
Different Dialects of Gujarati Language
| Gujarati Dialect | Regions | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Gujarati | Gujarat state, India | Official language; used in education, media, and formal settings; standardized form |
| Surati | Surat and surrounding areas, Gujarat | Features unique phonetics and vocabulary; influenced by historical trade connections |
| Ahmedabadi | Ahmedabad and surrounding areas, Gujarat | Influenced by Standard Gujarati; some local vocabulary and pronunciation variations |
| Kathiawadi | Saurashtra region, Gujarat | Dialect of the Kathiawar Peninsula; distinct vocabulary and pronunciation |
| Charotari | Charotar region, Gujarat | Regional variation with unique expressions; influenced by neighboring dialects |
| Anawla-Athpahariya | Anawla and Athpahariya regions, Gujarat | Predominantly spoken in rural areas; distinctive vocabulary and local influences |
| Parsi Gujarati | Parsi community, Gujarat and Mumbai (India) | Unique vocabulary; influenced by Persian and historical Parsi culture |
| Kakari | Kakar region, Gujarat | Features local variations in pronunciation and vocabulary; spoken in rural areas |
| Gohilwadi | Bhavnagar district, Gujarat | Local dialect with distinct phonetics; influenced by historical Gohil Rajput rule |
| Gamthi | Gamthi region, Gujarat | Rural dialect with unique expressions and vocabulary; influenced by local culture |
| Gujarati in East Africa | East African Gujarati communities | Influenced by local languages; variations among Gujarati communities in East Africa |
How to Learn Gujarati Fast?
To learn Gujarati quickly, practice with the fundamental Gujarati vocabulary available on our ToolsNepal blogs. You can begin by learning the Gujarati alphabet, numbers, and important words. Then move on to common phrases, create sentences, and improve your written and spoken skills. Once you’ve got the basics, you can use our Gujarati translation tool, Gujarati typing tool, and Gujarati Keyboard for extra practice.