The languages in Northeast India are diverse and belong to different language families. The languages spoken across our states belong to no fewer than five distinct language families: Indo-Aryan, Tibeto-Burman, Austro-Asiatic, Tai-Kadai, and Dravidian. Read here to learn more.
The northeast region encompasses eight states: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura (seven sisters) and Sikkim.
Recently, the demand for Roman script for Kokborok in Tripura has intensified. A majority of the tribes in the State speak Kokborok, which has been recognised as the second State language after Bengali.
This draws attention to numerous languages of the northeast, both vastly spoken and endangered.
Languages of Northeast India
Northeast India is a linguistically diverse region, home to many languages belonging to different language families.
This rich diversity is largely due to the number of indigenous tribes and communities in the region.
- The state of Meghalaya, to give just one example, is home to both the Khasi and Garo communities and their numerous sub-tribes-rare matrilineal societies in which hereditary succession follows the maternal rather than the paternal line.
- Neither Khasi nor Garo, however, are recognised by the government as an official language.
Assam
- Official Language: Assamese
- Major Languages:
- Assamese: An Indo-Aryan language and the lingua franca of the state.
- Bodo: A Tibeto-Burman language, one of the official languages of Assam.
- Bengali: Spoken primarily in the Barak Valley region.
- Other Languages: Rabha, Karbi, Dimasa, Tiwa.
Arunachal Pradesh
- No Official Language: English is used for official purposes.
- Major Language Families:
- Tibeto-Burman: Nyishi, Adi, Apatani, Monpa, Mishmi, Nocte, Wancho.
- Tai: Khamti.
- Other Languages: Several local dialects spoken by small indigenous communities.
Manipur
- Official Language: Manipuri (Meitei)
- Manipuri: A Tibeto-Burman language written in the Meitei script.
- Other Languages: Tangkhul, Thadou, Hmar, Kabui, and other tribal languages.
Meghalaya
- Official Languages: English, Khasi, Garo
- Khasi: An Austroasiatic language.
- Garo: A Tibeto-Burman language.
- Other Languages: Pnar, War, Biate.
Mizoram
- Official Language: Mizo (Lusei)
- Mizo: A Tibeto-Burman language serving as the lingua franca.
- Other Languages: Hmar, Lai, Mara, Paite.
Nagaland
- Official Language: English
- Major Indigenous Languages:
- Tibeto-Burman: Ao, Angami, Sumi, Lotha, Chakhesang, and others.
- Nagamese: A creole based on Assamese, used as a lingua franca among different tribes.
Tripura
- Official Languages: Bengali, Kokborok
- Bengali: The most widely spoken language in the state.
- Kokborok: A Tibeto-Burman language spoken by the Tripuri people.
- Other Languages: Chakma, Mogh, and other tribal languages.
Sikkim
- Official Languages: English, Nepali, Sikkimese (Bhutia), Lepcha, and Limbu
- Nepali: The lingua franca is the most widely spoken language.
- Sikkimese (Bhutia) and Lepcha: Tibeto-Burman languages.
- Limbu: Spoken by the Limbu community.
- Other Languages: Tibetan, Sherpa, Rai.
Features of languages in Northeast India
- Language Families:
- Indo-Aryan: Assamese, Bengali.
- Tibeto-Burman: Bodo, Manipuri, Khasi, and many tribal languages.
- Austroasiatic: Khasi.
- Tai-Kadai: Khamti in Arunachal Pradesh.
- Scripts:
- Indigenous scripts: Meitei (Manipuri), Lepcha, Limbu.
- Other scripts: Bengali, Roman, and Devanagari are commonly used.
- Cultural Significance:
- Languages in the Northeast are deeply intertwined with the cultural identities of various ethnic groups.
- Efforts are ongoing to preserve endangered languages and promote multilingual education.
Roman Script Demand for Kokborok
- The Protest:
- Members of the Twipra Students Federation (TSF) protested at the entrance of the Tripura Assembly, demanding the adoption of the Roman script for Kokborok textbooks and official work.
- The protest highlights a long-standing issue that resonates with the indigenous communities of Tripura.
- Kokborok Language:
- Kokborok, the primary language of several tribal communities in Tripura, was officially recognized as the second State language after Bengali.
- The language is central to the cultural identity of the indigenous people in the State.
- Roman Script Demand:
- Tribal groups argue that the Roman script is more suited to Kokborokโs phonetics compared to the Bengali or Devanagari scripts.
- The Roman script is already used informally in online platforms, social media, and everyday communication among Kokborok speakers.
- Background and Context:
- The issue of choosing a script for Kokborok has been contentious for decades, involving cultural, linguistic, and political dimensions.
- Earlier attempts to standardize Kokborok using the Bengali or Devanagari scripts faced opposition from sections of the tribal population, citing mismatches with Kokborok phonetics.
- Tribal Forum Support:
- Apart from TSF, several tribal forums and organizations support the Roman script demand, seeing it as a means to preserve and promote the language.
- Governmentโs Position:
- The Tripura government has previously taken steps to develop Kokborok, including introducing it in school curriculums and higher education.
- However, the decision to adopt the Roman script has remained unresolved, with political and administrative considerations influencing the issue.
Significance of the Demand
- Cultural Identity: Adopting the Roman script could strengthen the cultural and linguistic identity of the indigenous communities.
- Linguistic Accessibility: The Roman script may make learning and using Kokborok easier for younger generations familiar with English.
- Preservation of Kokborok: Standardizing the script could facilitate the documentation and preservation of Kokborok for future generations.
Challenges
- Script Standardization: Transitioning to the Roman script requires standardization and significant changes to educational and administrative systems.
- Political and Cultural Sensitivities: Script debates often carry political and cultural implications, risking polarization.
- Resource Allocation: Developing teaching materials, training teachers, and adapting official documentation to a new script demands substantial resources.
Challenges of Language Policy in India
India’s linguistic diversity, with over 400 individual languages spoken, is one of its cultural strengths.
However, this diversity is increasingly threatened by policies like the Three Language Formula and the absence of official recognition for many indigenous languages.
- Administrative Priorities Over Preservation:
- Language policies often favour widely spoken languages (e.g., Hindi, English, and major regional languages) for administrative convenience.
- Lesser-known languages, particularly those spoken by small or marginalized communities, are sidelined.
- Impact of the Three Language Formula:
- The formula, intended to balance national and regional language needs, often compels linguistic shifts.
- Hindi, English, and the state’s official language dominate the curriculum, leaving no room for indigenous or tribal languages.
- English Dominance in Certain States:
- In states like Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya, English is the sole official language, marginalizing local tongues.
- Communities in these states are compelled to adopt English for education and governance, accelerating the erosion of native languages.
- Language Endangerment:
- Languages without official recognition are at risk of extinction.
- Younger generations are incentivized to learn official languages for economic and social mobility, often abandoning their native tongues.
- Lack of Resources for Indigenous Languages:
- Limited teaching materials, trained educators, and official support hinder the promotion of these languages in schools.
Way forward
- Promoting Multilingualism:
- Expand the Three Language Formula to include options for indigenous or tribal languages in regions where they are widely spoken.
- Encourage bilingual or trilingual education in schools that emphasize the cultural and practical importance of native languages.
- Official Recognition for Indigenous Languages:
- Grant official or semi-official status to endangered languages at the state level.
- Establish mechanisms for their use in local governance, media, and education.
- Digitization and Documentation:
- Create digital repositories of indigenous languages, including dictionaries, grammar guides, and literature.
- Leverage technology to develop mobile apps and platforms that teach these languages interactively.
- Community-Led Language Revival:
- Empower local communities to take the lead in preserving and promoting their languages through festivals, literature, and media.
- Provide funding and training for grassroots initiatives.
- Policy Flexibility:
- Allow regions to tailor language policies that reflect their unique linguistic demographics rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
- Incentivizing Native Language Learning:
- Offer scholarships or recognition to students proficient in indigenous languages.
- Encourage their use in cultural and employment contexts to enhance their value.
Conclusion
The Northeast’s linguistic diversity is a testament to its rich cultural and ethnic heritage, contributing to India’s vibrant linguistic mosaic.
The TSF protest underscores the urgency of addressing this long-standing demand to balance cultural preservation with practical implementation in Tripura.
While India’s Three Language Formula aims to balance linguistic diversity, it has inadvertently contributed to the marginalization of many lesser-known languages.
A more inclusive, flexible, and proactive approach is necessary to ensure that India’s rich linguistic heritage is preserved for future generations, while also meeting the practical demands of a multilingual society.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. How many languages are spoken in NorthEast India?
Ans: North-eastern India is a linguistic mosaic, with over 400 different languages spoken in the region. But only three languagesโAssamese, Manipuri and Bodoโare among the 22 languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
Related articles:
- Endangered languages of India
- Classical languages of India
- PM-Development Initiative for North-East Region
- Act east policy
- Assam-Meghalaya border dispute
-Article by Swathi Satish
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