Decline of Dogri Language and Indigenous Tongues

The year 2025 marks a critical linguistic crisis in India. Indigenous languages face rapid extinction. Dogri, spoken in Jammu, exemplifies this decline despite official recognition. The rise of English and dominant regional languages overshadows local tongues. This trend reflects broader global patterns where economic and social factors push smaller languages to the margins.

Current Status of Dogri Language

Dogri received constitutional recognition only in 2003. The Jammu and Kashmir Official Languages Act, 2020, included Dogri as one of five official languages. However, this legal status has not translated into practical support. Dogri is largely absent from schools and government work. Its use is declining rapidly, especially among younger generations.

Government Policy and Institutional Support

Sustained government backing is crucial for language preservation. Dogri has lagged behind Urdu, Kashmiri, and Hindi in institutional promotion. Nearly half of surveyed residents in Jammu feel the government has failed to support Dogri adequately. The language’s exclusion from formal education and public platforms weakens its survival chances.

Generational Shift in Language Proficiency

Older generations (60+) retain strong Dogri skills, especially in speaking and reading. Middle-aged groups show decline in writing ability. The youngest generation (under 20) exhibits almost no proficiency in reading or writing Dogri. This gap signals a break in intergenerational transmission, threatening the language’s future.

Rural-Urban Divide in Language Use

Dogri is more robust in rural areas where 56% speak it and 15% can write it. Urban areas show lower use with 45% speaking and only 4% writing Dogri. Rural families encourage the language for cultural identity. Urban populations often view Dogri as less relevant in modern life, favouring more dominant languages for economic reasons.

Broader Linguistic Crisis in India

India tops the list of countries with dialects at risk of extinction. Over 220 languages have disappeared in the last 50 years. Globalisation, migration, and economic aspirations push people towards dominant languages like English and Hindi. Political neglect and lack of updated data on endangered languages hamper preservation efforts.

Challenges and Way Forward

Two major challenges remain. First is the absence of current, comprehensive data on language endangerment due to delays in census updates. Second is the widespread belief that English alone ensures progress. Reversing language loss requires changing this mindset and promoting mother tongues alongside global languages. Decolonising language policy is essential to save India’s rich linguistic heritage.

Questions for UPSC:

1. Critically discuss the impact of globalisation and economic factors on the survival of indigenous languages in India.
2. Examine the role of government policy and education in preserving linguistic diversity with reference to the Dogri language.
3. Analyse the rural-urban divide in cultural and linguistic practices and its implications for regional language preservation.
4. Estimate the challenges in collecting linguistic data in India and discuss how updated data can influence language preservation policies.

Answer Hints:

1. Critically discuss the impact of globalisation and economic factors on the survival of indigenous languages in India.

1. Globalisation promotes dominant languages (English, Hindi) for wider communication and economic mobility.
2. Economic opportunities motivate speakers to prioritize languages with perceived career benefits over indigenous tongues.
3. Migration and urbanization dilute local language use as people adapt to cosmopolitan linguistic environments.
4. Indigenous languages lose relevance in education, media, and employment sectors due to global economic integration.
5. Language shift occurs as younger generations adopt dominant languages for social advancement, weakening mother tongues.
6. Overall, economic aspirations and global connectivity marginalize indigenous languages, accelerating their decline.

2. Examine the role of government policy and education in preserving linguistic diversity with reference to the Dogri language.

1. Dogri received constitutional recognition only in 2003, much later than Urdu, Kashmiri, and Hindi.
2. The Jammu & Kashmir Official Languages Act, 2020 recognized Dogri officially but lacked effective implementation.
3. Dogri remains largely absent from school curricula and formal education, limiting literacy and transmission.
4. Nearly half of surveyed Jammu residents feel government support for Dogri is inadequate, especially in education and promotion.
5. Government neglect and policy delays have hindered institutional backing, reducing Dogri’s visibility and usage.
6. Active policy intervention and curriculum inclusion are critical to revitalize Dogri and other indigenous languages.

3. Analyse the rural-urban divide in cultural and linguistic practices and its implications for regional language preservation.

1. Dogri is stronger in rural areas where 56% speak it and 15% can write it, supported by cultural continuity.
2. Urban areas show lower Dogri use – 45% speak it, only 4% write it, reflecting diminished relevance in cities.
3. Rural parents actively encourage Dogri use to maintain identity; urban populations prioritize dominant/global languages.
4. Urban cosmopolitan settings promote linguistic assimilation, reducing intergenerational transmission of regional languages.
5. The divide leads to faster language erosion in urban centers, threatening overall survival of regional tongues.
6. Preservation efforts must address urban attitudes and create platforms for regional languages in modern contexts.

4. Estimate the challenges in collecting linguistic data in India and discuss how updated data can influence language preservation policies.

1. Delay in Census 2021 has left a gap in current, accurate data on endangered languages and speaker populations.
2. India’s vast linguistic diversity and dialectal variations complicate comprehensive data collection and classification.
3. Lack of updated data hinders identification of languages needing urgent intervention and resource allocation.
4. Without reliable statistics, policy-making remains reactive and uninformed, weakening preservation efforts.
5. Updated data enables targeted educational programs, funding, and legal recognition for vulnerable languages.
6. Improved data collection promotes awareness, advocacy, and evidence-based decisions to safeguard linguistic heritage.