Lost Languages of India: Endangered Indian Languages and Efforts to Revive Them

India, the land of a thousand tongues, has always been a vibrant mosaic of cultures, dialects, and languages. With over 19,500 mother tongues spoken across the country, linguistic diversity has been one of our greatest assets. But, hidden beneath this richness lies a quiet tragedy — many of India’s languages are vanishing.

The Silent Disappearance

According to UNESCO’s Atlas of the World’s Languages in Danger, 197 Indian languages are endangered. Some are critically endangered, spoken by just a handful of elderly speakers. Languages like Majhi (Andaman), Saimar (Tripura), and Rengma (Nagaland) are on the brink of extinction. Once a language loses all its native speakers, it disappears forever — taking with it an entire culture, worldview, and oral history.

Why Are These Languages Disappearing?

• Urbanization and migration have led communities to abandon their native tongues for more widely spoken languages like Hindi or English.

• Education policies have historically focused on a few major languages, sidelining regional and tribal dialects.

• Lack of documentation means many languages are not written down or preserved.

• Cultural stigma: Often, tribal or regional languages are viewed as “inferior” or “non-modern,” leading newer generations to reject them.

What Is Lost When a Language Dies?

A language is more than a means of communication. It holds the collective memory, indigenous knowledge, folklore, and identity of a community. When a language dies, we lose:

• Unique oral storytelling traditions

• Medicinal knowledge rooted in nature

• Local songs, lullabies, and proverbs

• Names of flora, fauna, and geography not found in mainstream languages

In essence, we lose a part of humanity’s heritage.

Reviving the Roots: Hope and Efforts

Despite this somber reality, there are heartening efforts being made to revive and preserve endangered Indian languages:

1. Documentation Projects

Linguists and cultural organizations are racing against time to document endangered languages through:

• Audio recordings of native speakers

• Creation of dictionaries and grammar guides

• Digital archives like the People’s Linguistic Survey of India (PLSI)

2. Mother Tongue Education

Some states have introduced tribal and regional languages in early education, helping children retain their mother tongue alongside learning mainstream languages.

3. Community Initiatives

Grassroots efforts by tribal elders, teachers, and NGOs include:

• Organizing language festivals and storytelling events

• Teaching traditional songs and folklore to the youth

• Publishing local language newspapers or digital content

4. Technology to the Rescue

• Apps and websites now offer tutorials and learning material in rare Indian languages.

• Social media and YouTube channels are becoming tools for storytelling in local dialects.

• Initiatives like Google’s Project Navlekha aim to bring regional content online.

What Can You Do?

As individuals, we too can play a part in preserving our linguistic heritage:

• Encourage children to speak in their native language

• Record and share stories or songs in your dialect

• Support organizations working for language preservation

• Celebrate the linguistic diversity around you

Languages are like threads in the great tapestry of India’s identity. Each thread — no matter how thin — adds colour and strength. Let’s not allow these threads to disappear unnoticed. By celebrating and reviving our lost languages, we honour not just our past, but also enrich our collective future.

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Neerja Bhatnagar

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