I had shared an incident that happened a decade+ back here. A conversation with some friends last week got me thinking about the language situation in our country and that led to this post.
India is a country renowned for its diversity—be it culture, religion, or language. With 22 officially recognized languages {I think} under the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution and hundreds of regional dialects spoken across its states, the linguistic landscape of India is as colourful as its festivals. While Hindi is often considered the most commonly spoken language, it is far from being a universal mode of communication across the country. This raises an intriguing question: should the country adopt one unifying language, or should we embrace and celebrate the diversity?
List Of 22 Scheduled Languages of India [Source]
- Assamese
- Bengali
- Gujarati
- Hindi
- Kannada
- Kashmiri
- Marathi
- Malayalam
- Oriya
- Punjabi
- Sanskrit
- Tamil
- Telugu
- Urdu
- Sindhi
- Konkani
- Nepali
- Manipuri
- Bodo
- Dogri
- Maithili
- Santhali
India’s Multilingual Identity
India’s linguistic diversity reflects its historical evolution. Different regions developed their own languages, influenced by ancient civilizations, foreign invasions, and local cultural practices. From Tamil, one of the oldest languages in the world, to Sanskrit, the root of many Indian languages, and Urdu, which blossomed during the Mughal era, each language tells its own story.
Despite the adoption of Hindi as the “official language of the Union” in 1949, English was also made an associate official language to ensure seamless governance in a linguistically diverse country. In practice, however, India does not have a “national language,” and for good reason. Many states—especially in the south, northeast, and west—speak languages that are vastly different from Hindi. Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Bengali, and Marathi, among others, serve as the primary languages in their respective regions, often with no significant overlap with Hindi.
For many Indians, Hindi is as foreign as English. Take Tamil Nadu, for instance, where Tamil dominates daily conversations, education, and local media. Thanks to people travelling and people from other States visiting TN, people do know Hindi, but often times you will find them refusing to respond or encourage use of that language. It gets quite painful when we have people commenting about how backward TN is, or how it is very unwelcoming. Well, all I can say is “either learn the language, or switch to English, you will find it as welcoming as a 2nd home”. Similarly, in West Bengal, Bengali is the lingua franca. Northeastern states like Nagaland and Mizoram often rely on English or their native tongues, bypassing Hindi altogether. Yes, it is true that you can get by with English or Hindi in smaller towns, but then why should Hindi become a National language is what most of us debate about?
Did you know Tamil language is recognized as the oldest language in the world, and it is the oldest language of the Dravidian family? This language had a presence even around 5,000 years ago. According to a survey, 1863 newspapers are published in the Tamil language only every day. At present, the number of speakers of Tamil language is around 7.7 crores. This language is spoken in India, Sri Lanka, Singapore and Malaysia.
The 11 oldest languages of India based on their existence are provided below. [Source]
- Tamil
- Sanskrit
- Kannada
- Telugu
- Malayalam
- Odia
- Marathi
- Bengali
- Gujarati
- Hindi
- Urdu
The Role of Hindi in India
Hindi, spoken predominantly in the northern and central parts of India, acts as a link language in many scenarios. Bollywood, a significant cultural export, has contributed to the spread of Hindi across the country. It’s not uncommon for non-native speakers to pick up phrases or understand conversational Hindi through popular songs or movies.
However, for many Indians, this exposure does not translate into fluency. In states like Kerala, Goa, and Manipur, English or regional languages serve as more effective mediums of communication. This diversity highlights that while Hindi might connect certain parts of India, it is not the sole language that defines the Indian identity.
Is a Single Language Necessary for Unity?
The question of adopting one language to unify a country is not unique to India. Countries like France and China have centralized linguistic policies to preserve their identity and ensure governance. However, in India’s context, enforcing one language risks alienating communities whose identities are deeply tied to their regional languages.
Language is not just a medium of communication; it is a carrier of culture, history, and tradition. Asking millions of Indians to prioritize Hindi over their mother tongue might erode the rich linguistic heritage that makes India so unique.
Moreover, unity in India has never been predicated on linguistic uniformity. The nation thrives on its “unity in diversity” philosophy, where differences in language, religion, and customs coexist. India’s federal structure allows states to operate in their own languages, and this decentralization has worked effectively for decades.
The Way Forward: Linguistic Pluralism
Instead of striving for a single unifying language, India can promote multilingualism. Embracing regional languages while encouraging the use of Hindi and English as link languages for inter-state and international communication offers a balanced approach.
Benefits of Linguistic Pluralism:
- Preservation of Heritage: Supporting regional languages ensures that local traditions, literature, and folklore are passed down to future generations.
- Inclusivity: Multilingual policies foster a sense of belonging among diverse linguistic groups.
- Global Competence: Proficiency in English equips Indians to engage with the global community, while regional languages maintain cultural authenticity.
- Interstate Communication: Hindi and English can act as pragmatic tools for communication without undermining regional identities.
Conclusion
India’s linguistic diversity is both a challenge and an asset. While the idea of one language might seem like a shortcut to unity, it disregards the complex realities of India’s cultural fabric. The true strength of India lies not in linguistic uniformity but in its ability to celebrate differences and find common ground despite them.
In a world that increasingly values cultural preservation, India’s multilingual identity sets an example. Instead of asking, “Should India have one language?” perhaps we should ask, “How can we create harmony among many?” The answer lies not in choosing one language over another but in fostering a culture where every language thrives.
