Her Campus Logo Her Campus Logo
india china on map
india china on map
Photo by James Coleman from Unsplash
Culture

Vanishing Voices: The Endangered Languages of India

Aarushi Ankita
The opinions expressed in this article are the writer’s own and do not reflect the views of Her Campus.
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Delhi North chapter.

Languages are more than just tools for communication. They are melodies that roll off the tongue, resonating with our shared history and culture. In India, where linguistic diversity blooms with the vibrancy of a thousand colours, each language carries its unique cadence, its own rhythm of joy and sorrow. To speak a language is to capture moments of happiness and pride, like when a child first utters a new word and their parents’ faces light up with joy. It’s not just about words; it’s about the shared emotions and experiences that those words represent.

India, renowned for its linguistic diversity, is home to over 1,600 languages, making it one of the most multilingual countries in the world. Historically, India’s linguistic landscape has been shaped by its complex sociopolitical and cultural dynamics. Languages in India belong to several major families: Indo-European, Dravidian, Austroasiatic, Tibeto-Burman, and Andamanese.

The ENdangered languages of India

  1. The Great Andamanese Language: Once spoken by around 50 tribes on the Andaman Islands, the Great Andamanese language now has only a handful of speakers. According to the 2011 Census of India, there are fewer than 10 fluent speakers left (Bhatia, T. K., and R. K. J. Koul, The Great Andamanese: Language and Culture, 2018). Factors contributing to its decline include displacement due to colonization and modern development, which disrupted traditional lifestyles.
  2. The Toda Language: Spoken by the Toda people in the Nilgiri Hills of Tamil Nadu, the Toda language is critically endangered, with only about 1,000 speakers remaining (Mohan, R. S., The Toda Language and Culture, 2017). The decline is attributed to socio-economic pressures and cultural assimilation as younger generations increasingly adopt Tamil and English.
  3. The Bodo Language: A Tibeto-Burman language spoken in Assam, Bodo has faced severe endangerment due to political and ethnic conflicts (Gogoi, M., Bodo Language and Literature, 2015). The Bodo Accord of 2020 aimed to address some of these issues by granting greater autonomy to the Bodo Territorial Region, but the impact on language preservation remains uncertain.
  4. The Mishing Language: Also from Assam, the Mishing language is spoken by the Mishing community. The language faces endangerment due to the influence of Assamese and the migration of younger generations to urban areas (Baruah, S., Language and Identity: The Mishing Case, 2019).
  5. The Korku Language: Spoken in parts of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, Korku is another endangered language with only a few thousand speakers left (Kumar, S., Korku: An Endangered Language, 2021). Urban migration and integration into mainstream Indian society have led to a decline in its use.
Books On A Shelf
Breanna Coon / Her Campus

Factors Contributing to language endangerment

  1. Socio-Economic Changes: Modernization and urbanization have led to the migration of younger generations to cities, where dominant languages like Hindi, English, and regional languages become more prevalent. This shift often results in the loss of traditional languages as younger people adopt more widely spoken languages for better socio-economic opportunities.
  2. Cultural Assimilation: Integration into mainstream culture often results in the gradual erosion of unique linguistic identities. As smaller communities assimilate into larger cultural groups, their native languages diminish in everyday use and cultural significance.
  3. Government Policies and Education: The focus of government policies and educational systems on major languages often sidelines regional and minority languages. The lack of formal education and resources in these languages exacerbates their decline (Bhatia, T. K., and R. K. J. Koul, Language Policy in India, 2016).
  4. Globalization: The pressures of globalization promote dominant languages for trade, communication, and media, marginalizing smaller languages. This global dominance of a few major languages contributes to the marginalization of regional and indigenous languages.

As we move forward into a rapidly globalizing world, many of these languages are fading away, like footprints washed out by the tide. Languages that once thrived in the heart of villages and in the warmth of family conversations are now on the brink of extinction. The ancient dialects of the Bodo tribes, the lyrical notes of the Toda language, and the rich heritage of the Naga tongues are becoming increasingly rare. As these languages dwindle, so do the stories, songs, and traditions they carry.

Aarushi Ankita

Delhi North '26

Aarushi Ankita is a Chapter Member at the Her Campus Delhi North Chapter, where she contributes her skills to the Editorial team. Beyond her involvement with Her Campus, Aarushi is a second-year Psychology student at Daulat Ram College. She further extends her influence as the content writer for her college's Gender Champion Cell, where she passionately advocates for gender equality and inclusivity. She is also an engaged member of National Service Scheme and Eartha, actively participating in initiatives aimed at improving society through both written and practical contributions. Outside of her academic and social pursuits, she has received intensive training in Bharatanatyam and playing the piano. She is an avid viewer of acclaimed series such as "Breaking Bad" and "Fleabag", showcasing her appreciation for compelling storytelling. She loves to read books and literature which has naturally led her to cultivate her own writing skills.