Language holds immense significance for any community, reflecting its past, present, and future. The richness of a language signifies the intellectual, social, and political prosperity of the community or region. When a community’s language is forgotten, crucial information about its history becomes inaccessible.
India, often referred to as a land of diversity in both terrain and tongue, faces a threat to its linguistic heritage. Despite being recognized by UNESCO in 2019 as the first in the ‘Interactive Atlas of the World’s Languages in Danger,’ the situation is more alarming than ever. According to a report by the Indian government, while 1961’s census identified 1652 languages spoken in the country, a recent study indicates that only 1365 mother tongues exist today.
Approximately 170 languages in India, as per UNESCO, are in crisis, with many belonging to the northern and northeastern regions where English has overshadowed local languages. Bihar and Jharkhand, home to ancient and classical languages, are particularly affected. Indigenous languages like Santali, Korwa, Asuri, and Birhor in Jharkhand are now considered endangered. Similarly, languages like Maithili, Bhojpuri, Magahi, Angika, and Bajjika in Bihar face the risk of extinction.
The UNESCO standards for endangered languages pose a concerning scenario for Magahi, Angika, and Bajjika in Bihar. Magahi, once the language of the Magadh Empire, has seen a decline in its scholarly status. Bajjika, with its historical ties to Vaishali Republic, is on the verge of disappearance. Angika, derived from the ancient Mahajanapada, struggles to preserve its existence. Despite the popularity of Bhojpuri, it has not evolved into a classical language, and Bihar’s diverse linguistic landscape is at stake.
The situation is not just a concern for Bihar but demands attention on a national scale. Bihar, with its historical significance as the cradle of ancient India, has played a central role in the golden era, the birth of various religions, and cultural transformations. Among the languages, Maithili stands out as the most robust. However, even Maithili has lost its script, Mithilakshar, over time.
Language is crucial for the intellectual, social, and political well-being of a community or region. When a language disappears, it takes with it traditions, existing literature, environmental knowledge, ancestral wisdom, and the cultural legacy. The former UNESCO Director-General, Koichiro Matsuura, aptly stated that the death of a language leads to the loss of various forms of intangible cultural heritage, impacting traditions, oral histories, and even environmental and cosmic knowledge.
In India, constitutional provisions are in place for the protection of languages, and academies and commissions at the state level work towards their preservation. However, according to UNESCO and Indian government data, efforts to safeguard languages are falling short. Disturbingly, only 24,821 individuals consider Sanskrit, a language integral to Indian culture, as their mother tongue.
Preserving linguistic diversity is not just a matter of safeguarding words; it is about protecting the essence of civilizations, the tapestry of human history, and the soul of a nation. Urgent and concerted efforts are needed to ensure that the melodies of these languages continue to resonate and contribute to the vibrant mosaic that is India.