42 Indian languages stare at extinction
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42 Indian languages stare at extinction

Context:

More than 40 languages or dialects in India are believed to be heading towards extinction

Details:

  • More than 40 languages or dialects in India are considered to be endangered.
  • There are 42 languages which are spoken by less than 10,000 people. These are considered endangered and may be heading towards extinction

List of Endangered Indian Languages or Dialects by UNESCO

  • 11 from Andaman and Nicobar Islands (Great Andamanese, Jarawa, Lamongse, Luro, Muot, Onge, Pu, Sanenyo, Sentilese, Shompen and Takahanyilang),
  • 7 from Manipur (Aimol, Aka, Koiren, Lamgang, Langrong, Purum and Tarao)
  • 4 from Himachal Pradesh (Baghati, Handuri, Pangvali and Sirmaudi)
  • Manda, Parji and Pengo (Odisha),
  • Koraga and Kuruba (Karnataka),
  • Gadaba and Naiki (Andhra Pradesh),
  • Kota and Toda (Tamil Nadu),
  • Mra and Na (Arunachal Pradesh),
  • Tai Nora and Tai Rong (Assam),
  • Bangani (Uttarakhand),
  • Birhor (Jharkhand),
  • Nihali (Maharashtra),
  • Ruga (Meghalaya)
  • Toto (West Bengal).

Additional Information:

  • According to a report of the Census Directorate, there are 22 scheduled languages and 100 non-scheduled languages in India
  • These are spoken by a large number of people — one lakh or more.
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