Garima Chaudhry
One of the hallmarks of India’s plural culture is the fact that Indians speak multiple languages. The Census of India – 2011 provides data on 121 languages which Indians recognise as their mother tongues. 22 of these 121 languages are included in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India (Scheduled Languages).
As per the instructions to the enumerators – ‘Mother tongue is the language spoken in childhood by the person’s mother to the person. If the mother died in infancy, the language mainly spoken in the person’s home in childhood will be the mother tongue. In the case of infants and deaf mutes, the language usually spoken by the mother should be recorded. In case of doubt, the language mainly spoken in the household may be recorded.’
Through our series of Infographics (Information Graphics) – Languages of India, Cultural Samvaad attempts to bring to you some interesting facts and figure about the many languages that we still speak and the many languages that have been lost somewhere in the annals of time. This is the first in the series.
Add comment