India, a country known for its diverse culture and languages, faces a substantial challenge in language conservation. Over the years, the number of languages has drastically declined. In this context, “Protection and Preservation of Endangered Languages,” a scheme was introduced by the Government of India (GOI) to safeguard threatened languages.
The Decline of Indian Languages: A Historical Perspective
In the 1961 census, India boasted around 1652 languages. However, by 1971, only 808 languages were reported. According to the People’s Linguistic Survey of India in 2013, approximately 220 languages disappeared in the last 50 years, and 197 have been marked as endangered. The GOI currently recognises only languages with a script, neglecting oral languages. As a result, the government recognises 122 languages, significantly less than the 780 languages identified by the People’s Linguistic Survey of India.
Criteria for Language Extinction
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) determines a language extinct when no one speaks or remembers it. UNESCO classifies languages into four categories of endangerment:
- Vulnerable
- Definitely Endangered
- Severely Endangered
- Critically Endangered
Out of these, 42 Indian languages are recognised as critically endangered.
Understanding the Causes of Language Decline
The major reasons for the decline of Indian languages include:
- The non-recognition of languages with less than 10,000 speakers by the GOI.
- In-migration and out-migration leading to the dispersion of traditional settlements.
- Shifts in employment patterns favouring majority languages.
- Changes in cultural and social values.
- Increased individualism, prioritising self-interest over community interest.
- The intrusion of materialism in traditional communities, overshadowing spiritual, moral, and ethical values.
Preservation Measures: A Way Forward
The survival of a language can be ensured through the initiation of schools teaching in minority (tribal) languages. A vast digital project akin to Project Tiger specifically for preserving India’s endangered languages is necessary. This would include audio-visual documentation of important aspects such as storytelling, folk literature, and history.
Conservation Efforts: The Rise of SPPEL
The Scheme for Protection and Preservation of Endangered Languages (SPPEL) was launched by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (Government of India) in 2013. SPPEL aims to document and archive endangered languages or those likely to be endangered soon.
| Fact | Description |
|---|---|
| SPPEL’s Monitoring Body | The Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL) in Mysuru, Karnataka |
| Aid Provider | University Grants Commission (UGC) |
| Aid Application | The creation of centres for endangered languages at Central and State Universities for research projects. |
Central Institute of Indian Languages: A Beacon of Hope
Established in 1969, the Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL) is under the administrative control of the Ministry of Human Resource Development.
CIIL bears a mandate to coordinate Indian language development, foster unity among Indian languages through scientific studies, promote interdisciplinary research, contribute towards emotional integration of the people of India, and protect and document minor, minority, and tribal languages.
Last Modified: February 6, 2024