ਬੋਲ਼ਾ
bōḷā
The Punjabi word for deaf is ਬੋਲ਼ਾ (bōḷā).
The word is used to describe someone who is unable to hear.
Meaning: unable to hear (adj)
Which one should you use?
While the literal meaning is 'deaf', in colloquial speech, ਬੋਲ਼ਾ is frequently used to refer to someone who is both deaf and unable to speak (deaf-mute).
How do you pronounce it?
bōḷā
Did you know?
- In many Punjabi dialects, the term ਬੋਲ਼ਾ (bōḷā) can be used metaphorically to describe someone who is extremely stubborn or refuses to listen to reason.
- The root of the word in some linguistic contexts connects to the concept of 'speechlessness', which is why it often defaults to the deaf-mute meaning.
- The retroflex 'ḷ' in ਬੋਲ਼ਾ (bōḷā) means your tongue must curl back to touch the roof of your mouth, a sound that does not exist in standard English.
Examples in context
- ਉਹ ਬੋਲ਼ਾ ਹੈ।oh bolā hai.He is deaf.
Example conversation
Harman and Kiran are talking about a neighbor.
- ਹਰਮਨ Hermanਕੀ ਗੁਆਂਢੀ ਬੋਲ਼ਾ ਹੈ?ki guanḍhī bola hai?Is the neighbor deaf?
- ਕਿਰਨ Kiranਹਾਂ, ਉਹ ਸੁਣ ਨਹੀਂ ਸਕਦਾ।han, oh sun nahī̃ sakda.Yes, he cannot hear.
- ਹਰਮਨ Hermanਫਿਰ ਅਸੀਂ ਉਸਨੂੰ ਇਸ਼ਾਰਿਆਂ ਨਾਲ ਦੱਸਾਂਗੇ।phir asī̃ usnū̃ ishāreyā̃ nāl dassā̃ge.Then we will tell him with signs.
- ਕਿਰਨ Kiranਹਾਂ, ਇਹ ਸਹੀ ਰਹੇਗਾ।han, eh sahī̃ rahegā.Yes, that will be right.
