India is renowned for its linguistic diversity, thanks to its geographical enormity, historical richness, and cultural heterogeneity. With over 19,500 languages spoken across the nation, India has one of the most multilingual populations in the world. Notably, the 2011 Census revealed that more than a quarter of Indians can communicate in at least two languages, with around seven percent able to converse in three.
How Multilingualism Contributes to India’s Diversity
Multilingualism in India does not merely represent a vast number of languages; it embodies the nation’s varied socio-cultural fabric. The diverse languages symbolize distinct identities, histories, and traditions, reflecting elements of different religions, ethnic tribes, castes, and social classes in India.
By promoting multilingualism, young Indians gain a better understanding and appreciation of their country’s rich diversity. Studies reveal that about half of India’s urban population aged between 15 to 49 years speaks at least two languages, showcasing the younger generations’ proclivity towards multilingualism.
The Benefits of Multilingualism
Beyond serving as a vehicle for communication, multilingualism carries several cognitive advantages. It can boost memory, sharpen attention, enhance problem-solving skills, and stimulate creativity. Additionally, research indicates that bilinguals and multilinguals demonstrate superior executive functions responsible for planning, organizing, and controlling mental operations.
Multilingualism has emotional and social benefits too. It can cultivate empathy, encourage perspective-taking, and foster intercultural competence. By learning different languages, people gain access to varying cultures, values, and worldviews, which broaden their understanding of diversity.
On a practical level, multilingualism opens up numerous opportunities related to careers, travels, and access to information and entertainment. A command over multiple languages facilitates communication with diverse individuals, exploration of various places, and utilization of numerous resources.
Constitutional Provisions on Languages in India
The Indian Constitution has several provisions to protect and promote linguistic diversity. Article 29 safeguards the rights of minorities to maintain their distinct language, script, or culture. The Eighth Schedule lists the official languages recognized by the Indian Republic. It encompasses 22 languages, including Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Oriya, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, Bodo, Santhali, Maithili and Dogri. Of these, six languages have ‘Classical’ status: Tamil, Sanskrit, Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam, and Odia.
Part XVII of the constitution, comprising Articles 343 to 351, provides detailed regulations about the use of official languages. For instance, Article 343 states that the Union government’s official language is Hindi in Devanagari script, while Article 346 recognizes multiple languages for official communication within India.
Articles 347 and 348 give the President the power to recognize a language as an official language of a state, and specify that all proceedings in the Supreme Court and High Courts should be in English until stipulated otherwise by Parliament.
Article 350A mandates that every state must provide primary education in the mother tongue. Article 351 empowers the union government to issue directives for the development of the Hindi language.
UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Questions
Here are some language-related questions that have appeared in the UPSC Civil Services Examination:
1. “21st February is declared to be the International Mother Language Day by UNICEF. The demand that Bangla has to be one of the national languages was raised in the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan. Which of the above statements is/are correct?” (2021)
2. “With reference to India, the terms ‘HaIbi, Ho and Kui’ pertain to _(2021)”
3. “Which one of the following was given classical language status recently? (2015)”
This article aims to provide readers with comprehensive knowledge about Indian languages and the significance of multilingualism, along with some references to UPSC examination questions related to the topic.