Endangered languages of Central India

Languages endangered in Central India include Gondi and Korku

Introduction

Central India hosts endangered languages including Gondi and Korku. These at risk languages are due to the growing dominance of mainstream languages.

1. Gondi (Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Odisha):

• Linguistic Background: Gondi is a member of the Dravidian language family. It is spoken by the Gond tribe, one of India’s largest tribal communities.
• Speaker Population: Approximately 2–3 million people speak Gondi. However many younger generations are shifting to dominant languages like Hindi or Marathi.
• Cultural Context: Gondi has a rich oral tradition including epic tales, folklore. And also through songs that reflect the tribe’s connection to nature and their traditional way of life. It is also used in religious ceremonies and festivals.
• Challenges: Gondi lacks a standardized script. Its dialectal variations make preservation difficult. The growing influence of mainstream languages and urban migration have also contributed to its decline.
• Preservation Efforts:
  • The Gondi Language Academy is developing primers, dictionaries, and other educational materials to promote literacy in Gondi.
  • Digital tools like apps and websites have been created to teach Gondi to younger speakers.
  • Community leaders and NGOs are working to document oral traditions and songs. This is to preserve the cultural heritage tied to the language.
  • *Many At risk languages are due to the growing dominance of mainstream languages

2. Korku (Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat):

• Linguistic Background: Korku is part of the Kolarian (Munda) branch of the Austroasiatic language family. It is spoken by the Korku tribe, primarily in the Satpura Hills of Madhya Pradesh and parts of Maharashtra.
• Speaker Population: Around 200,000 people speak Korku, though fluency is declining, particularly among younger generations.
• Cultural Context: Korku is closely associated with the tribe’s agricultural practices, oral traditions, and rituals. Folk songs and storytelling are key elements of their cultural identity.
• Challenges: The dominance of Hindi and Marathi, coupled with limited institutional support for Korku, has caused a steady decline in its use. Many Korku speakers are adopting mainstream languages for social and economic reasons.
• Preservation Efforts:
  • Linguists and community members are working on documenting the language through grammar books and dictionaries.
  • NGOs have initiated programs to introduce Korku in local schools and promote its use during cultural events.
  • Efforts are being made to use audio and video recordings to capture oral histories, songs, and stories in Korku for future generations.

In Conclusion

At risk languages are due to the growing dominance of mainstream languages. Efforts to preserve the endangered languages of Central India are crucial to sustaining the region’s tribal heritage and unique linguistic traditions.

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