Fading Voices: Explore Lost Indian Languages Which are Vanishing

India is a country rich in cultural heritage, and one of the most striking aspects of this heritage is its linguistic diversity. With over 121 languages and 270 mother tongues spoken nationwide, India is a treasure trove of unique languages. However, this linguistic diversity is under threat, as many ancient and indigenous languages are disappearing alarmingly. In the face of globalisation and the dominance of widely spoken languages like Hindi and English, numerous regional languages are on the verge of extinction.

India’s Linguistic Heritage

India’s linguistic history is shaped by centuries of migrations, invasions, and cultural exchanges. Major language families include Aryan, Dravidian, Turkic, Persian, and colonial languages. While the Constitution of India recognises 22 official languages, such as Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, and Tamil, the number of languages spoken by smaller communities is staggering. According to the 2011 Census, there are 121 languages and 270 mother tongues, though the actual number may be higher. Yet, despite this diversity, many of India’s languages are facing extinction. The younger generation is increasingly abandoning their native languages in favour of more widely spoken ones that promise greater social and economic opportunities. This trend, combined with cultural assimilation and urban migration, is causing several languages to fade into obscurity.

Why Are Indian Languages Disappearing?

A few key factors contribute to the decline of India’s indigenous languages. The dominance of languages like Hindi and English, which are associated with higher status and more opportunities, is a major reason. These languages have overtaken regional languages in education, the workplace, and the media, leaving little room for indigenous tongues. Urbanisation, industrialisation, and migration also dilute regional languages. In rural areas, where tribal and regional languages once thrived, these shifts have led to the erosion of traditional languages. As younger generations embrace dominant languages, their ancestral languages are neglected and often forgotten.

India’s linguistic diversity has international recognition, with some languages being designated as "Classical Languages" by the Indian government. Tamil was the first to earn this status, followed by Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Odia. These languages have rich literary histories and contribute significantly to global culture. However, many of India’s lesser-known languages are at risk. The extinction of a language not only means the loss of words but also the erasure of centuries-old traditions, folklore, and ecological knowledge that are passed down through generations. Tribal languages, in particular, are repositories of unique cultural practices and local knowledge.

Endangered Languages in India

Identifying India’s most endangered languages is a complex task, as the status of these languages can vary widely depending on the region and available data. However, several languages are considered critically endangered or vulnerable, and some have already disappeared entirely.

Languages such as Asur, Badaga, Baghati, and Balti are classified as critically endangered, while others, like Gondi, Tai Aiton, Mahasu Pahari, and Jarawa, are slowly dying out. Tribal languages such as Koraga, Badaga, Yerava, Irula, Soliga, Gouli, Jenukuruba, and Bettakuruba are also in danger of extinction. Over the past six decades, nearly 250 Indian languages have vanished, including Ahom, Andro, Rangkas, Sengmai, and Tolcha, all from the Himalayan region.

Some of the more well-known endangered languages include Manipuri, Bodo, and Ladakhi, which are spoken by a dwindling number of speakers. Koro, a language from Arunachal Pradesh, was only discovered in 2008 and is now on the brink of extinction, with fewer than 1,000 speakers. The Great Andamanese language, once widely spoken in the Andaman Islands, is critically endangered, with only a handful of speakers remaining today.

1. Great Andamanese Language

The Great Andamanese language, once widely spoken by the indigenous tribes of the Andaman Islands, is now critically endangered, with only a handful of elderly speakers remaining. Historically, the Great Andamanese people lived across the northern and central regions of the Andaman Islands, and their languages formed a distinct language family. This language family included dialects such as Khora, Jeru, Cari, and Bo, which were mutually intelligible to varying degrees, although the extreme dialects were incomprehensible to each other.

These languages, however, are now facing near extinction due to a combination of factors, including colonisation, the spread of diseases, and cultural assimilation. The arrival of the British colonialists in the 19th century introduced foreign settlers and indentured labourers, who, along with outbreaks of disease, decimated the indigenous population. By the 1960s, the Great Andamanese population had plummeted to just 19 individuals. Over time, intermarriage and the displacement of the indigenous people onto smaller islands led to the dilution of the language, with many speakers adopting Hindustani and losing fluency in their native tongues. While today’s surviving population speaks a koine based on the Jeru dialect, much of the linguistic heritage has been lost.

Linguists like Anvita Abbi have made significant efforts to document and preserve the remaining aspects of the Great Andamanese languages, but the challenge remains formidable. This language not only reflects the history and identity of the Andamanese tribes but also holds within it unique cultural knowledge passed down through generations. Preserving the language is crucial for maintaining the cultural richness of the Andaman Islands, where the traditions and way of life of its indigenous people are increasingly threatened by modernisation.

The efforts to revitalise and document these languages are essential for the survival of the indigenous cultural heritage. However, the ongoing loss of speakers and the shift towards more dominant languages continue to undermine these efforts. The future of the Great Andamanese language depends on the ability of linguists, activists, and the remaining indigenous communities to combat the forces of cultural erosion and keep this unique linguistic tradition alive.

2. Kota Language

The Kota language, a Dravidian language spoken by approximately 900 native speakers in the Nilgiri Hills of Tamil Nadu, is considered critically endangered. The Kota people, known for their skills in blacksmithing, pottery, and music, have traditionally spoken this language, which is closely related to the Toda language. However, over time, the language has been overtaken by Tamil, spoken by the majority in the region and holding higher social status. This shift in language preference is largely due to the social and educational advantages of speaking Tamil, leaving younger generations of Kota speakers increasingly bilingual, with little incentive to speak their ancestral tongue.

The Kota language, also known as "Ko-v Ma-nt," shares linguistic features with other South Dravidian languages but has developed unique characteristics due to the geographical isolation of the Kota people. It is an oral language with a rich tradition of storytelling, cultural rituals, and oral history, all of which are deeply intertwined with the language. However, the decline in the number of speakers and the rise of Tamil in everyday life have placed the language on the brink of extinction. The Kota people, with a population of around 2,500, face the challenge of maintaining their cultural identity while balancing the pressures of modernisation. The language’s continued decline is also linked to the educational system, where children are taught in Tamil and English, thus reducing their exposure to their native language.

Despite these challenges, efforts are being made to preserve the Kota language, including awareness campaigns, linguistic documentation, and cultural projects. Notable linguists, such as Krishnamurti, have worked to trace the language’s origins, while initiatives like the PhD project led by R. Viswanathan aim to document and preserve the grammar and syntax of other endangered languages in the Nilgiris. The preservation of the Kota language is not just a linguistic necessity but a vital part of safeguarding the rich cultural traditions of the Kota people, which are expressed through their language, rituals, and daily practices. As the language fades, so does an important piece of India’s cultural mosaic, and efforts to revitalise it are crucial to maintaining the diversity that defines India’s heritage. The preservation of Kota offers hope that, even in the face of rapid modernisation, languages can be revitalised and the cultural identity of communities can thrive.

3. Birhor Language

The Birhor language, also known as Birhori, is a critically endangered language spoken by the Birhor tribe, primarily in the Indian states of Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, West Bengal, and Maharashtra. Part of the Munda group within the Austroasiatic language family, Birhor is deeply interwoven with the heritage and lifestyle of the semi-nomadic Birhor people. Traditionally known for their skills in rope-making, the Birhor community relies heavily on the forests for sustenance, with a lifestyle based on hunting, gathering, and the collection of forest products. However, the language itself is facing an existential threat, with fewer than 2,000 fluent speakers remaining.

This dramatic decline is due to younger generations shifting towards Hindi, which is now dominant in the region. Birhor shares many linguistic similarities with other Munda languages such as Santali and Mundari, but it stands out due to its unique features, including its subject-object-verb (SOV) word order and the absence of a standardized script. Instead, it is often written using either the Bangla or Devanagari script, depending on the region. The Birhor language holds a wealth of cultural knowledge, including medicinal and nutritional uses of forest products, which is at risk of being lost if the language fades.

Efforts to preserve it are being led by individuals such as Jageshwar Yadav, a dedicated tribal activist known as the "Brother of Birhor", who has been working tirelessly since 1989 to promote education, healthcare, and cultural preservation within the community. While the Birhor language is at risk, organisations like the Living Tongues Institute for Endangered Languages and local institutions are documenting and promoting the language to keep it alive. The survival of the Birhor language is essential, not only to preserve the identity and heritage of the tribe but also to ensure that the knowledge embedded within it is passed down to future generations.

4. Nihali Language

The Nihali language, spoken by approximately 2,500 people across the border of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, is one of India's most enigmatic and critically endangered languages. Nihali, or Nahali as it is also known, is a language isolate, meaning it has no known relationship to any other language family in the region, such as Munda, Indo-Aryan, or Dravidian languages. This makes Nihali particularly fascinating to linguists, as it represents a unique cultural and linguistic heritage with no direct connection to any surrounding languages. The language is thought to have historical ties to the ancient community of Nahalka, as mentioned in some Indian texts.

The name "Nihali" is derived from the word "nahal," which means "tiger", showcasing the tribe's connection to the natural world. Historically, the language was spoken in various villages in the Buldhana and Burhanpur districts, but today, only a few villages retain the language. As with many endangered languages, Nihali faces the challenge of language shift, with many speakers adopting Marathi, Korku, or Hindi in daily life, leaving Nihali to be spoken only in select households. The language’s vocabulary is heavily influenced by its multilingual speakers, with about 20-25% of its words derived from surrounding languages. The Nihali people, who have historically been agricultural laborers, have used their language as a secretive means of communication, possibly due to their position in society.

Despite its decline, efforts to preserve Nihali are being led by linguists such as Dr. Shailendra Mohan, who has worked tirelessly to document the language, and institutions such as the Endangered Languages Project. Preserving Nihali is essential, not only for linguistic diversity but also for the protection of the cultural identity of the Nihali people, whose rich history and practices are inextricably tied to the language. As the language faces extinction, it is crucial that more awareness is raised about the importance of preserving languages like Nihali, which carry unique cultural and historical knowledge that is at risk of being lost forever.

5. Koro Language

The Koro language, a hidden gem of the Tibeto-Burman family, is spoken by the Koro-Aka tribe in East Kameng District, Arunachal Pradesh, India. Despite being classified as an endangered language, Koro's uniqueness lies in its discovery only in 2008, when researchers from National Geographic’s Enduring Voices Project identified it during their study of nearby languages. With roughly 800 to 1,200 speakers, Koro is distinctly different from the Aka language spoken by neighbouring communities, although the Koro-Aka tribe shares cultural ties with the Aka people. The language has sparked intrigue among linguists due to its possible connection with the Tani languages, and even more intriguingly, its potential links to unclassified languages in the region.

However, Koro’s survival is at risk as younger generations prefer learning Hindi or other dominant languages like Ako, pushing Koro into obscurity. The language, with its rich vocabulary and distinct features, faces the threat of complete extinction in the coming generations. Linguists such as Dr. Greg Anderson and Ganesh Murmu, along with local activists, are working tirelessly to document and preserve this fading heritage. Their efforts include raising awareness and encouraging the younger generation to embrace Koro, helping to keep the language alive for future generations.

The decline of Koro serves as a poignant reminder of how vital it is to protect indigenous languages, which are not only crucial to cultural identity but also carry historical and ecological knowledge unique to the community. The loss of languages like Koro is not just the loss of words but the erosion of a people's way of life. Therefore, it is crucial for India and the world to recognise the importance of linguistic diversity before it fades entirely into history.

6. Majhi Language

Majhi, once spoken by a community of the same name in Nepal and parts of India, is rapidly becoming extinct, with fewer than 2,000 speakers today. The Majhi people, an indigenous group primarily found along the rivers of central and eastern Nepal, have long been known for their fishing and boating skills, and their language has carried with it the community's unique cultural traditions. Majhi’s language, like its people, is deeply intertwined with the environment, with much of its folklore, songs, and dances celebrating the rivers and the natural world. However, in recent years, the language has seen a sharp decline, particularly in areas like Sikkim and Darjeeling, where it was once spoken in everyday life.

The passing of the last fluent speaker in Sikkim, Thak Bahadur Majhi, highlighted the urgent need to document and preserve this once-vibrant language. Today, Majhi is nearly extinct in India, with only a handful of people knowing fragments of the language, most notably for ceremonial purposes like weddings and funerals. The rise of Nepali and Hindi as dominant languages in the region has pushed Majhi into the background, making it increasingly difficult for younger generations to connect with their linguistic heritage. While the Majhi language continues to survive in some remote parts of Nepal, it faces the very real threat of extinction in India.

Preserving Majhi is not just about saving a language; it is about safeguarding the rich cultural practices, oral histories, and traditions that define the Majhi people. As fewer young people learn the language, the efforts of linguistic researchers and community activists become even more crucial in ensuring that Majhi does not vanish entirely from the world. The survival of Majhi, like any endangered language, is integral to maintaining cultural diversity and preventing the erasure of a community's identity and heritage.

The Importance of Preserving Endangered Languages

The loss of a language is not just the loss of words; it represents the fading of a culture, its traditions, history, and knowledge systems. Indigenous languages often contain vital ecological knowledge, such as medicinal practices, farming techniques, and an understanding of local ecosystems—insights that are critical in today's world. Language preservation is therefore crucial, not only for safeguarding cultural heritage but also for preserving unique knowledge that could benefit humanity. In many cases, these languages are deeply tied to the community's identity, and their loss would signify the loss of an entire way of life.