Lost & Revived: Endangered Languages in India Making a Comeback

India is a land of linguistic extremes. More languages are spoken in India than almost any other country, but it also has the highest number of endangered languages.

UNESCO considers any language with fewer than 10,000 speakers to be endangered. Many of India’s tribal and indigenous languages have this label, with some on the brink of disappearing altogether.

When languages die off, it’s not just words that disappear. Languages play a big role in preserving cultural identity and ancient wisdom. Thanks to a combination of public and private efforts, many of India’s traditional and indigenous languages are being revived and kept alive, ensuring a rich linguistic and cultural heritage for future generations.

Factors Leading to Language Endangerment

UNESCO categorizes endangered languages into tiers: vulnerable, definitely endangered, severely endangered, and critically endangered. A vulnerable language, for example, is spoken by most children, but only in certain settings, e.g., at home. A critically endangered language is one where the youngest speakers are grandparents and older, and they speak the language partially and infrequently.

Here are the main factors contributing to language loss:

• Migration and Urbanization: When people move from rural to urban areas, they often assimilate to the dominant local language.
• Globalization: The proliferation of multinational corporations has made English a standard for business communication, which lessens the use of mother tongues.
• Lack of Institutional Support:Many endangered languages lack government support through libraries, cultural institutions, schools, and administration.
• Social Stigma: Minority languages sometimes carry a social stigma, leading speakers to abandon their language to avoid being shamed.
• Media and Technology: Dominant languages prevail in social media and entertainment.
• Limited Resources: Revitalization efforts may be hindered by a lack of resources, including funding, trained personnel, and digital infrastructure.

Documenting Linguistic Diversity

Launched in 2010, the People’s Linguistic Survey of India (PLSI) is a comprehensive, volunteer-led initiative designed to document every language in India. It’s a big job, as many tribal populations have their own languages that go unreported in the official government census. Since 2013, PLSI has published detailed profiles of numerous languages, with more to be released this year.

PLSI publishes books, organizes festivals, and conducts workshops to promote linguistic heritage, empowering communities and encouraging the next generation to use their native languages.

Preserving India’s Rich Linguistic Heritage

More than an academic pursuit, language preservation helps to maintain a community’s:

• Sense of identity
• Collective knowledge and wisdom
• Values and customs
• Ecological awareness
• Agricultural practices
• Cultural heritage, including literature

Folktales from the indigenous languages of Mundari, Kurkukh, and Santali often revolve around nature, community life, animals, ancestors, and the supernatural, providing insight into the wisdom and worldview of tribal people. But as modernization spreads and younger generations shift toward speaking more dominant languages, these native languages start to fall away.

A mix of community-led efforts and government support are helping to revive and promote endangered languages in India.

Government Initiatives: The Indian government has launched various programs aimed at preserving and promoting indigenous languages. For example, the Scheme for Protection and Preservation of Endangered Languages (SPPEL) collaborates with universities and research organizations to document and archive endangered languages.

Educational Policies: The New Education Policy 2020 (NEP), promotes the importance of mother-tongue and multilingual education. NEP 2020 recommends instruction in a student’s mother tongue or regional language until at least Grade 5. Several Indian states have responded by developing textbooks, digital lessons, and teacher training materials to support instruction in these languages.

Cultural Movements: Grassroots movements and organizations are working to revive and promote the cultural heritage associated with minority languages. For example, the Adivasi Academy in Tejgadh, Gujarat, is a cultural and academic center dedicated to the study and promotion of tribal languages, arts, and cultures. The academy conducts language documentation projects, develops educational materials, and offers language courses to both children and adults. Additionally, it organizes cultural events—such as storytelling sessions, folk music performances, and art exhibitions—to foster pride and interest in indigenous languages and traditions.

Technology and Digital Tools: Language learning apps, AI, social media, and online tools have facilitated language documentation. For example, Bultoo Radio uses Bluetooth to share localized audio content without internet access, promoting local languages and empowering communities with vital information.

Linguistic Research :Academic and linguistic research initiatives, often funded by universities and international organizations, play an important role in studying and revitalizing endangered languages. For example, the Centre for Endangered Languages (CFEL) at Tezpur University aims to safeguard and revitalize endangered languages in Northeast India through research, community engagement, and the creation of linguistic resources.

Examples of Language Revitalization in India

Sanskrit

Sanskrit, one of the world's oldest languages, has transitioned from being widely spoken in ancient times to primarily being used in religious, cultural, and academic settings. Despite having few native speakers in India, it has remained an official language since 1950 due to its status as the sacred language of Hinduism and a scholarly lingua franca. Efforts to revive and promote Sanskrit continue through educational courses, community initiatives, and digital resources, leading to more people learning and using it conversationally. While it remains mainly a second language, these efforts ensure its ongoing relevance.

Gondi

Gondi is the native language of the Gond tribe, the second largest tribal group in India. However, only about 25% of the Gondi people are fluent in the language. After Gondi was labeled as a vulnerable language by UNESCO, a group of people compiled the country’s first Gondi dictionary for use in education, administration, and journalism. Gondi has a rich folk literature, and efforts to keep the language alive include workshops, storytelling sessions, and cultural events that highlight Gondi folklore, songs, and oral traditions. India has also seen growth in Gondi films.

Manipuri

Also known as Meiteilon, Manipuri has a traditional script called Meitei Mayek that fell out of use in favor of the more common Bengali script. In 2023, after a decades-long push for revival, newspapers in Manipur were required to replace the Bengali script with the Meitei Mayek script. While the Meiteilon language isn’t listed endangered per se, there are concerns about its decreasing use among younger generations due to the influence of Hindi and English. Efforts to combat this include incorporating the language into school curriculums; developing textbooks and educational resources in the traditional script; and promoting its use in digital media and cultural activities.

Keeping Languages Alive for Future Generations

Thanks to educational programs, community efforts, and digital platforms, many of India’s endangered languages are experiencing a resurgence. Each revived language enhances the nation’s cultural mosaic, offering unique perspectives and honoring its historical roots. By supporting language preservation, we help keep these languages alive for future generations. This not only fosters cultural pride and unity but also highlights the vibrant, multifaceted nature of Indian society. Let us celebrate and promote India’s linguistic richness, ensuring every language, no matter how small, has a chance to thrive and continue its storytelling.