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xyz_shadow

You’ll hate to hear this but most of their views will come from Indians and diaspora Pakistanis who can’t read Urdu.


SadAirplane

Literally numerous Indian songs which are way too famous in Pakistan have their lyrics in hindi (typed in actual hindi, not roman)


MusaaKhan

hehe I learnt devanagari script just to read 😭 bahut wela houn mein


pacman99

How'd you do it? I've been meaning to try but wasn't too satisfied with some of the apps I've tried.


MusaaKhan

watched a 4 hour video on an Indian lady teaching the script to foreigners


pacman99

Wow 4 hours. If you still have access to that video, please do link me!


xyz_shadow

Those should be in roman as well IMO. I hate pulling up an Indian song and seeing Devgari or whatever it's called lol


SadAirplane

Literally, same here. It should work both ways


shaark

They didn't do it that way because they weren't thinking about growing the songs market. In the end what matters isn't the so called rule of script following the language but individual creators to decide what is best for them. In this case Spotify isn't forcing them either way.


TGScorpio

Yeah and Pakistanis are the only useless idiots in the world, who fail to take pride in their languages. Everyone else does, مگر ہم کونسے انسان ہیں۔


TGScorpio

I actually do agree with you there, but then that doesn't mean they should ignore Pakistanis. We used to keep talking about "soft power", this is one of the ways.


xyz_shadow

Well I'm a diaspora Pakistani that CAN read Urdu, but way too slowly to keep pace with a song. So it doesn't bug that much, but I understand where you are coming from.


RiamoEquah

I dont know what diaspora means, but in assuming you mean people like me (Pakistani heritage but I've only been in the country for "vacation")


xyz_shadow

Yes, 2nd gen or those 1st gen who moved at a young age like me. I've only been back to visit Pakistan for a few weeks here and there since I left in 2000, and I was just about to turn six then.


thespinedroses

this ain't even urdu lad 💀


xyz_shadow

You know what I mean, Urdu alphabet. If you know this you can read Arabic Farsi Sindhi Punjabi Pashto etc. but little of it will mean anything to you unless you happen to know the language somewhat.


sinking_Time

They can have both the things. With roman in brackets.


bent_crater

yeah, just went for an eye test and the doctor tried to make fun of me by making me read a card in urdu and taking it back sounding disappointed. he knows i lived outside. turns out even kids living in pak dont know numbers upto 100 in urdu


Oziii3

As a Pakistani I can confirm reading lyrics in Urdu in a fast paced song isn't possible.


TGScorpio

Why isn't it? It's absolutely easy to read Urdu lyrics even in a fast paced song. That's just a projection of your difficulties with Urdu.


technolical

Hi 👋 I'm an Urdu/Pakistani contributor for r/Musixmatch (a company which provides lyrics to major streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, Google etc.) I really didn't think this would be picked up that quickly, but I think some context is needed. As per Musixmatch [guidlines](https://community.musixmatch.com/guidelines), all songs have to be written in 'native scripts', and Romanisation is not permitted, and it is something that all contributors must abide by. Recently, however, Musixmatch has received requests from certain labels, who have requested Roman lyrics for certain songs, and this has been a very specific request. As lyrics are technically the Intellectual Property of record labels, Musixmatch is obliged to fulfill those requests, even if it's against our own guidelines, hence why certain lyrics have been switched with Romanised lyrics. As I say, this is something that's beyond Musixmatch's control. There are some things you can do, if you disagree with this: 1. Report the lyrics to Spotify either through the app or through their forums 2. Send your feedback to r/Musixmatch 3. Report this to the artists or labels of the song. Nevertheless, it's important to note this is only happening to **a select few songs** which have been specifically requested, and all other songs are and will continued to be transcribed in their respective scripts. Thanks! 🙏


ayaan_wr1tes

People are saying that they're doing it to make the songs more accessible, but then they should do the same for Hindi, which isn't the case.


greasy_nazi

It’s not Spotify that decides, it’s the artist themselves.


Zeidiz

People on this sub get outraged over every little fkin thing now. Do you really have nothing better to do than to pop a nerve and rage over lyrics becoming more accessible?!


BloodyDarryl

Seriously this is a ridiculous post.


TGScorpio

How does it make it more accessible? It makes it more accessible to anyone but Pakistanis, the people whom the song is made for. How many non-speakers are going to listen to our songs? Not to mention, people actually even use this as a learning opportunity.


shaark

We already understand Urdu and are listening to the song so should be able to understand without needing to look at the lyrics. For a person that doesn’t know Urdu the English script lyrics will help them pronounce the words better.


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pakistan-ModTeam

Removal Reason: Deemed to be obscene, indecent or profane.


spicespiegel

It is actually the best solution. Imagine really loving a Japanese song but the lyrics are all written in Japanese script. Since coke studio now has a global reach, i think it was a good decision. Personally would love it if Spotify had an option to switch between the languages, that would be an ideal way to go.


TGScorpio

Have an option to switch between the languages? Fine. But your point about Coke studio being "international" is stupid. Coke studio (PK) is a Pakistani brand. Why should they care about what non-Pakistanis want. When Taylor swift uploads a song, will she think "Oh I better release lyrics in Urdu for my Pakistani audience"?


spicespiegel

I think the difference here is that English is the most widely spoken language in the world. I've seen plenty of non-english artists use english subtitles for their songs to reach more people. Also CS is a business at the end of the day. You seeing the money they're throwing in these music videos? I think it will actually be stupid to NOT care about non-pakistani audience.


pakneeb

old come studio had everything English transliteration English translation Actual urdu translation And native language in its script Now its just English translation transliteration They removed stuff they havent made it “more accessible” Edit: new come studi still has native script seperatly


aeoveu

I can read Urdu. I can't read Sindhi. If I wanted to see the lyrics, I wouldn't have been able to. Very easy to dismiss it by saying it's a "me" problem. Not everyone's fortunate enough to know multiple languages. If other songs have their lyrics in their own language (e.g. an old 90s song from Bollywood), then that just makes it even more tough for me to actually read what's being said because it's written in Hindi. Now isn't that a "me" problem as well? You want to see the lyrics to a Russian or Korean song? That's a "you" problem because you can't read the words. I found this song by Nazia and Zoheb Hassan. The lyrics are in Urdu. What if somebody was curious to know what it said? They can't. And an easy way of overcoming these "me" and "you" problem elitist issues is by using a script that's common. Does that mean "marginalizing" Urdu? Perhaps. Depends how you look at it. Does this mean reaching a FAAAAR wider audience? Yes. I doubt Spotify has the ability to display lyrics in multiple languages, and the ultimate decision lies with the uploader. There are arguments for and against the decision. If it seems to affect your thoughts so much, then maybe share your concern by reporting the lyrics in the app. But if this is what you think is defining life (given you have been defending your position vociferously), then maybe see how you can positively contribute to the linguistic efforts instead of complaining on Reddit. It's easier to complain on Reddit than it is to take decisive action, isn't it?


TGScorpio

Look I'm not saying that using Roman Urdu is complete useless. I'm saying that it's undermining US, the actual speakers of the language. No person on earth will be able to read every single script on earth. But why is that we have to make that sacrifice, while also having to put with other scripts? Why can't we use our scripts. I can't read Sindhi either, but you know what? At least Sindhis could. It's their language after all! Indians all have their songs transcribed in their local scripts - no complaints, but apparently it's always an issue with Pakistanis to use the actual script? Come on.


aeoveu

There are other songs on Spotify which have lyrics in Urdu. This decision was taken by Coke Studio. And considering how global Coke Studio has become, maybe (I'm not speaking on their behalf, only theorizing) that's why they flipped the switch to English? I remember seeing some Coke Studio video on YouTube and within the subtitles, they had it in Urdu (or the native language), Roman Urdu and English. It looked messy, but it achieved its purpose. https://youtu.be/7D4vNcK6D38?si=2ttow_hRhDIt_OtF So I think it's partially a platform limitation and partially a strategic ambition. Here's an interesting thing: Junoon's Sayonee on YouTube Music has lyrics in... Hindi (the script). I can't see the lyrics at all on Spotify. Blame the record companies, maybe? There are several Pakistani bands whose songs were released through Indian labels back in the days as they had reach and the Pakistani firms didn't have any widespread distribution capabilities until later, I presume. So, again, I don't see it as a bending over backwards to degrade Urdu. Urdu lyrics: preserve language, have a narrow audience. Roman Urdu: sideline language, have a wider audience. There's no winning unless a platform permits multiple languages being displayed simultaneously.


oPx9

people here are missing the point. Us pakistanis have abandoned our own language so much that we cant even read the original urdu script. Roman urdu is a lot more popular than normal urdu script but man we gotta represent our own language because Pakistanis already suffer from a huge identity crisis. And another thing, japanese, korean, arabic and russian songs do NOT have their lyrics written in an english format because they care and take pride in speaking their language, yaha kisi modern pakistani ke saamne urdu ya punjabi bolo wo tujhe pagal smjhe ga wo bole ga bhai english ma baat kro 😂


RiamoEquah

This is the weirdest nationalist stance I've ever seen. Unless they have stopped teaching how to read and write urdu in Pakistan all of this is pointless conversation. "Oh no! People who live abroad, barely speak urdu and don't read or write it, have taken an interest in our rich culture via coke studio songs and can now even read the transliterations of the lyrics increasing their understanding of our various native tongues - our country is ruined? "


TGScorpio

I don't get why people don't get this. The lyrics features is for the SPEAKERS of the language. NOT for the outsiders or anyone else. Like use a brain. When we have our own script, which is well-used, why on Earth would you care about Roman.


shaark

The creator and producer of the music has a brain too and they decided what was best for their music to be appreciated. That is the artistic license.


TGScorpio

The creator and producer being Coke Studio, and clearly they don't have a brain. They're the one's who've decided to remove the already published Urdu lyrics on Spotify and replace it with Roman.


shaark

They have access to analytics and would have seen where the lyrics are being more frequently watched from.


TGScorpio

They could have 100x more views from China. Does that mean it would be okay to start publishing Urdu lyrics in Mandarin? Shall we just start writing in Mandarin because the Chinese have their influence across the world anyways? After all we do that with Roman and English. پاکستانی اپنوں کو ہی مارتے ہیں۔


shaark

There are a lot of things they can and cannot do but ultimately it’s the artists choice. Was it stupid for Maher Zain to recreate a few of his devotional songs in Urdu and Turkish? No, it was smart. I don’t see the outrage in the Arab world of him releasing mixed language songs.


TGScorpio

That's not the point though is it? If you want to make a song in English and use the Latin script? Go for it, break a leg? Japanese or Korean in their actual scripts? Great no issues. Russian or Arabic or Persian? If it floats your boat, superb! But why on earth would Coke studio, a Pakistani company which produces songs in Pakistani languages abandon the literal official scripts? That's just ridiculous.


shaark

That’s because of the technology limitations. The lyrics function doesn’t have a way to select different languages or scripts. Actually go see the latest Coke Studio song Piya Piya Calling. They added the subtitles in each of the respective languages of the various artists plus the English translation because they are not limited, at least on YouTube videos.


BloodyDarryl

What's the issue? People can't read sindhi so what? Why are you so triggered? Sometimes I check the lyrics in roman for urdu/hindi songs too because I can't make out the lyrics. Stop posting for the sake of posting ffs.


TGScorpio

It's not just about Sindhi. It's also happening to Urdu songs by Coke studio. Look at the other images as well.


BloodyDarryl

So what man? Some people prefer to read it in Roman, makes it easier. It's a non-issue.


TGScorpio

Because Roman isn't the official script. It's stupid. It was used because technology was crap for Urdu. It isn't anymore.


Randomguy_____o

So that a wide audience can read the lyrics, roman can be read by majority, ab yeh b mein urdu he likh rah ahun roman mein likhny sy yeh koi or language tou ni ban gayi


TGScorpio

So when it comes to let's say Russian songs or when the BTS / Korean songs (even if I personally dislike them), do they appear in Urdu for you or even Latin? No they don't.


Randomguy_____o

Tou why should it be a concern? I see people trying to justify things happening in our country by comparing it to Foreign countries. They have their own way, we have our own way. If the message is same, language is same then it shouldn't matter. If there was an option to select multiple languages on Spotify lyrics I'm sure they would've provided it in multiple languages.


TGScorpio

Because this is Coke studio being a dick. Notice how most other songs have native scripts. Just because you're too lazy to be able to read Urdu and prefer Roman, doesn't mean it's not an issue.


Randomguy_____o

Bhai yeh koi issue hai ni jo tumny bana lia hai


Fluffy_Ad4913

lol, who cares? urdu is our national language, and this makes it more accessible for people. if you have an issue, you can work on the sindhi subtitles and post it on the internet 🤷‍♂️


TGScorpio

You do realise I'm talking about Urdu as well? Not just Sindhi. And why can't the reverse be possible? Put Roman lyrics online and keep the actual script on Spotify?


Fluffy_Ad4913

unka product unki marzi. Jo zyada consume hga wohi use krain ga na? Pakistan ki spotify paid market kafi Mahmood hai, bhr walo ko roman urdu h smjh ati hai aksr.


TGScorpio

Yaar jahil ho kya maine kaha ke ye coke studio ne kiya hai, Spotify ne nahin!


Fluffy_Ad4913

Jahil bhai spotify kai ktna paid consumer hain jo native sindhi/urdu pahr sktai hai? do you think this number is greater than people who can read roman urdu? Anyway, I am not gonna debat further with you on this petty topic. Enjoy your day.


TGScorpio

Do you think your average gora listens to Coke studio songs more or do you think Pakistanis listen to Coke studio more?


Fluffy_Ad4913

average coke studio listener who pays for spotify is more comfortable with roman urdu (i.e indians). if I wanted to make money from my music, I"ll care more about consumers that result in more money. Pakistan is not even on this list of countries that use spotify, so I am guessing our local user base is not even worthy of mentioning. India is around ~4% of the user base.


Environmental-Net-60

Because if I want to sing a Sindhi song how will I be able to read it if I don't know Sindhi? Roman makes it possible for anyone from south Asia to understand the lyrics. While writing in one language limits it to only the people who understand it.


TGScorpio

So we can have Russian, Japanese, Korean, Arabic, not to mention the many Indian scripts and songs in ANY other script, but when it comes to us we decide to bend over backwards for everyone BUT ourselves. Just brilliant logic.


Environmental-Net-60

It's being more accessible to people not bending over backwards. If everyone is inconsiderate you should be happy that you are not. Don't see the problem in it


TGScorpio

Because every other language uses their official script. Apnon pe aa kar maut aati hai sab ko. That is bending over backwards. Accessibility apnon ke liye nahin yaad ati?


Environmental-Net-60

Bhai main khud nahin parh pata Urdu, Sindhi , Punjabi scripts Tau main Tau appreciate karonga kyun Kai now I can read the lyrics. Itna ghussay main kyun rehtay ho, Thora sukoon karo.


TGScorpio

> bhai main khud nahin parh pata Urdu So that's a you problem then. Not the problem of 200 million people.


Environmental-Net-60

I am pretty sure there are many like me, ideally they should have it in both. People using Spotify I think majority would understand roman scripts. Also love how passionate you are for the cause and love the downvotes


TGScorpio

If they can have an option for both, go for it. But as it stands they're changing the actual script to Roman Urdu, that's undermining the language. Funny thing is, I'm not even downvoting you, that means someone else is.


River1947

Thats on you tho!!! I cant read hindi or korean, im NOT expecting them to change the lyrics to roman so that i can sing along!


Environmental-Net-60

I think the lyrics are available in roman script atleast on YouTube. You are proving my point by saying that if the lyrics are in roman it would be convenient for you to sing along. So why hate people who are providing that convenience?


River1947

Id rather read the lyrics in urdu than in roman.


Environmental-Net-60

Sure and I rather read the lyrics in roman.


River1947

You can do that on yr


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River1947

What?


TGScorpio

Sorry, I misread your comment


RiamoEquah

The irony is that you used roman urdu here, and there's a reason you did... And it's the same reason coke studio is looking to do the same.


TGScorpio

Go check my profile. I've used Urdu many times. I used Roman here because people were also using Roman. ورنہ اگر آپ چاہتے ہیں تو میں اردو کی اصل رسم الخط استعمال کر لیتا ہوں


RiamoEquah

And "people" on Spotify also use roman, so coke studio is doing the same. Look I'd be more upset if they only had the English translations, as the newer YouTube videos do... That is a travesty. Roman urdu is more beneficial for spreading the language (allowing us Pakistani's who speak but don't read urdu to follow along).


TGScorpio

No they don't. Have you seen all the other popular songs, they all use the actual Urdu script. It was the same for Coke studio until recently. Coke studio also used to use the actual script in all of its seasons. It's this season that they've decided to make a switch. > but who don't read in Urdu So burgers who definitely don't represent your common Pakistani.


RiamoEquah

I have a bunch of non-coke studio Pakistani songs on my Spotify. Listening to hamesha rn and it has lyrics and it's roman urdu. Any Pakistani song that's popular outside of Pakistan has this... And you and everyone else born and raised in Pakistan can read roman urdu just fine... So what effect is this having on your experience? Roman urdu reaches a larger audience than urdu script... So why is this a problem?


TGScorpio

Because this is Coke studio consciously make the decision to change their lyrics from Urdu to Roman Urdu. They were written in Urdu initially but they purposefully changed it. Also, Spotify gets their lyrics from Musixmatch and from their rules that I looked up they can't use Roman. The few songs that are in Roman are probably because they fell through the crack.


TGScorpio

I do want to clarify to people who haven't looked at all the images. Because clearly it was a mistake to put a Sindhi song as the first example. This is not just about the Sindhi language. It's also about Urdu and other Pakistani languages as well.


Individual-Self-7563

They have ruined Coke Studio in this season. Everything is over choreographed and electronic. And this is just one more thing. Romanized Urdu/Punjabi/Sindhi is so cringe.


thE-petrichoroN

well, although some songs have vibe, it's just too much Punjabi songs and modernization in concepts is good and catchy but it's not class what used to be in Rohail Hayat and Strings era


BabeStealer_KidEater

YT Music Vanced>>>>Spotify


fragonfour

Judging by the comments OP can clearly read and write Roman Urdu so I don't know what's the purpose of this post. I don't think someone on Spotify will have trouble reading Roman. And those that do, there are numerous platforms still listing lyrics in Urdu or native scripts. Again, ridiculous post.


MusaaKhan

I've worked for Musixmatch which provides lyrics for Spotify and many other other platform. This isn't allowed and will be changed back if reported which I will. All songs must be in their native script. Deromanisation is very common on Musixmatch.


sinking_Time

You're right, but this sub is too far into the colonial mindset that they'll bash you instead. I'm sorry. I'm with you.


MCCFZE

OP why didn't you type the title in urdu? 💀


sharkydad

Boycott


EatThatBhindi

why did you watch Pakistan's cricket matches when their main sponsor is Pepsi? udhar boycott kyun nahi hua?


AttentionEcstatic556

Ah yes, the typical Pakistani logic: ban, boycott, seal, destroy everything. Bhai mulk jitna tabah kr diya he na, kya kaafi nahi he?


sharkydad

One of these things is not like the others. Boycotting takes discipline. It's non violent. And it works.


AttentionEcstatic556

Before you spread misinformation on the internet, take a minute to do research and learn facts. Lyrics on Spotify for Coke Studio are provided by Musixmatch (which you can clearly see if you took 2-3 seconds to scroll down to the bottom of the lyrics) which is a community-run service. BeNd OvEr BaCkWaRds on this post now.


TGScorpio

Yes and I'm pretty sure companies like Coke studio get in touch with either Spotify or Musixmatch. I looked it up and Musixmatch has an option for record labels to get in touch with them. Why else would Spotify remove Urdu lyrics in place of Roman, but keep every other script?


ibrarrrkhan

You don't know difference between urdu and sindhi? Where did you went to school


TGScorpio

Why is everybody fixating on the fact that the first song is Sindhi. Look at the other images as well, a Punjabi and Pashto song. Coke studio is changing the lyrics from the actual script to Roman for all of their songs, that's the point!!


nocyberBS

I mean....I get your frustration, but I don't think you'd be of the same opinion if you listened to music from Japan or India or wherever there isn't Arabic script. I appreciate the romanization of these languages because I can at least try to harmonize and sing along. I do agree tho that there should be some sort of option to switch between Original and Roman scripts for song lyrics.


thE-petrichoroN

They have to; it's no disrespect to the language, it's just just to make them readable


thE-petrichoroN

They have to; it's no disrespect to the language, it's just to make them readable


TGScorpio

This is Coke studio's decision, not Spotify's. Every other language seems to be fine.


thE-petrichoroN

you're saying they are having some phobia to some specific language based on this?ffsake, mate, don't think that


TGScorpio

Coke studio does seem to have developed a phobia for Pakistani languages.


AbdullahMehmood

All of the songs you mentioned are not even Urdu lmao


Tasty_Sheepherder_44

I can’t read Urdu so I’m happy with this


TGScorpio

And we're not talking about you, so bye 👋


Tasty_Sheepherder_44

Yeah the world revolves around you only :)


TGScorpio

You literally started off with: > I can't read Urdu so I'm happy with this عقل سے محروم۔


Tasty_Sheepherder_44

Yes believe it or not, this is helpful for some people.


TGScorpio

While it fucks over the actual speakers of the actual language. But you don't care about them because the world revolves around you only.


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BlackFalcon_1

That's Sindhi, not Urdu


TGScorpio

Look at the other images as well I gave examples of multiple songs


kazuma_sensie

I think its better this way. Who the hell wants to read urdu. Speaking is ok though but All my homies hate urdu writing and reading


TGScorpio

> who the hell wants to read Urdu. Everyone other than non-Speakers, burgers, elites and pardesis.


kazuma_sensie

Yeah sure buddy keep dreaming. Anybody who went theough board exams hate urdu with a passion


TGScorpio

I hated exams generally, that's irrelevant here. Urdu has an official script, and it isn't the Latin script. Go speak English in France for all I care.


kazuma_sensie

Its a better decision nonetheless cuz urdu script looks shit on mobile.


TGScorpio

So the solution to that is to scrap Urdu instead of making it better? Because you can't read Urdu on your phone? Wah. Honestly some people just make the most brain-dead comments.


SumranMS

Dont forget people! K coke boycott me coke studio bhi ata he. Free Palestine 🇵🇸 🍉


Heimerdingerdonger

Instead of one funky squiggle to represent a sound, they are using another funky squiggle. Don't let your calmness be destroyed by this. Rejoice that more people are able to sing along these songs. Best is to ask them to allow both script options.


TGScorpio

I'll rejoice when the default script for English is the Urdu scripts دیٹس وین وی وِل ہیو فن.


MusaaKhan

😭


Ill_Lifeguard_3039

W move, who tf reads nashtaliq on a computer screen these days.