Endangered Languages India (North)

India is home to a vast linguistic diversity of languages at risk of becoming extinct

Many languages are at risk of becoming extinct. The following endangered languages are from North India.

1. Bhotia (Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh):

• Linguistic Background: Bhotia belongs to the Tibeto-Burman language family, closely related to Tibetan. It is spoken by the Bhotiya community, which is recognized as a Scheduled Tribe in India.
• Speaker Population: Most speakers reside in high-altitude Himalayan villages near the India-China border. Including districts like Uttarkashi and Chamoli in Uttarakhand.
• Cultural Context: The Bhotiya people rely on their language for oral storytelling, religious chants, and songs that are deeply rooted in Tibetan Buddhist traditions.
• Challenges: The language is endangered due to migration to urban areas. Also shifting economic practices, and younger generations adopting Hindi or English.
• Preservation Efforts: Efforts are being made to document Bhotia through ethnographic studies. Schools in Uttarakhand have started cultural programs to maintain traditional practices and language use.

2. Garhwali (Garhwal Region, Uttarakhand):

• Linguistic Background: Garhwali is an Indo-Aryan language from the Central Pahari subgroup. It’s primarily spoken in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand.
• Speaker Population: Around 2.5 million people speak Garhwali, but many younger individuals are shifting to Hindi for education and employment.
• Cultural Context: Garhwali has a rich oral tradition with folk songs, proverbs, and spiritual texts. They’re often sung during festivals and weddings.
• Challenges: Increasing globalization and migration to urban areas have reduced its prominence. Many parents are no longer passing it on to children.
• Preservation Efforts: NGOs and local writers are working to promote Garhwali through literature, films, and cultural festivals. Garhwali is also being taught informally in community centers and online platforms.

3. Chambeali (Himachal Pradesh):

• Linguistic Background: Chambeali, also part of the Indo-Aryan Central Pahari group, is spoken in the Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh.
• Speaker Population: The number of Chambeali speakers is declining. As it is often replaced by Hindi in daily communication and education.
• Cultural Context: Chambeali is used in folk songs, local religious practices, and oral storytelling. It is associated with the rural culture and traditions of Chamba.
• Challenges: Younger generations are shifting away from Chambeali due to its perceived lack of use in urban or professional settings.
• Preservation Efforts: Local activists and cultural organizations have started documenting folk songs and traditional stories in Chambeali to keep the language alive. Collaborative projects with universities aim to produce Chambeali dictionaries and grammar resources.

*A Scheduled Tribe (ST)

A scheduled tribe in India refers to indigenous tribal communities. And are officially recognized by the government for their unique culture, history, and social disadvantages.
They are provided special benefits, such as reserved seats in education and government jobs. These are to help improve their living conditions and preserve their traditions. 

In  Conclusion

India is home to a vast linguistic diversity of languages at risk of becoming extinct. There are many regions affected and efforts are made to help preserve them.

Read about Northeast India here: