Ongan indigenous language-Andaman islands

Ongan indigenous language-Andaman islands is a critically endangered language spoken by only 100-200 people.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands:
There are two indigenous languages on Andaman Islands:

Languages:

Ongan:

(spoken by the Onges tribe in the Andaman Islands)

Great Andamanese:

(spoken by a small community on the Andaman Islands)

This article is focused on the Ongan language.

Preservation Efforts:

• • Great Andamanese: Intensive documentation and language revitalization efforts are ongoing, with the government and international linguists collaborating.
  • Ongan: Localized language revitalization efforts include preservation through digital documentation.

Ongan (Andaman Islands):

Linguistic Background:

• Ongan is another indigenous language spoken by the Onge people in the Andaman Islands. It is part of the Great Andamanese linguistic family, though it is a distinct language.

Speaker Population:

• The Ongan language is spoken by a small group of people, with estimates ranging from 100 to 200 speakers. Like other indigenous languages of the Andaman Islands Ongan is facing rapid decline. It’s critically endangered.

Cultural Context:

• Ongan is used in traditional songs, rituals, and storytelling. These are central to the Onge people’s identity. The language is an important part of their daily life and knowledge systems. It’s particularly related to hunting, gathering, and survival in the forests and seas.

Challenges:

• • The Ongan language is endangered due to the influence of Hindi and English. As well as a history of colonization, displacement, and interaction with outsiders.
  • The language is not being passed down to younger generations. Most Onge people are now bilingual in Hindi or Bengali.

Preservation Efforts:

• • Linguists are documenting the Ongan language through fieldwork, including recording songs and spoken language.
  • Efforts to revitalize Ongan include training community members to use the language in daily life and educational settings.
• The Indian government, alongside NGOs, is involved in
• preserving the cultural heritage of the Onge tribe, which includes maintaining the Ongan language.

Read more about India’s languages: