Linguistic Diversity and National Integration

Nature of India’s linguistic diversity:

In India, there are more than 200 languages, being spoken by different groups. There exists ‘linguistic pluralism’ in India, which is a state of ‘mutual existence’ of several languages in a contiguous space. The plurality of languages has led to ‘language problems’, in the past. These problems being:          

• i) Linguistic reorganization of the states in India                                                                                                                                                          
• ii) Status of ‘minority languages’ in the states                                                                                                                                                              
• iii) Official language issue.

Language Problems and National Integration:

• Linguistic reorganization of states was primarily done for administrative convenience. It also helped in fulfilling the aspirations of different linguistic groups in India, without threatening national unity.
• Discriminatory practices or policies against ‘linguistic minorities’ in different states, can in the long term threaten national integration. Prejudiced treatment against linguistic minorities, can perpetuate ‘separatism’. Example: Bengali speaking people in Assam, Kanada, Malayalam speaking people in Andhra Pradesh. There are various Constitutional Provisions, to safeguard the interests of ‘linguistic minorities’, enshrined in Articles: 29, 30, 347, 350.
• ‘Hindi, English’ are the ‘official languages’ of the Union. There are ‘regional languages ‘recognized as the ‘official languages’ of the states. There has emerged a ‘hierarchy of official status’. The 1960s witnessed ‘anti-Hindi’ agitations’, in the southern states, speaking Dravidian family of languages. The fear of Hindi becoming the ‘national language’ was allayed by the continuance of English as the official language. Also the ‘Three language formula ‘was devised to accommodate the different languages, in the educational curriculum.

Linguistic Unity and National integration:

• However, the linguistic heterogeneity has not always been disruptive for national integration. With linguistic diversity, one has also witnessed, the development of an ‘all India common vocabulary.’ Ex. Sanskrit, which has not only acted as bridge between different Indo Aryan languages, but also between Indo Aryan and Dravidian languages. Ex. In contemporary times, “Hinglish”, which is the blending of English language with Hindi and other languages spoken in India.
• The mainstream cinema ‘’Bollywood’’, has immensely contributed to the development of an all India vocabulary.
• The popularity of many ‘Epics’ and ‘fictional non-fictional literature’, has lead their translation into many different languages. This has also contribute to ‘linguistic unity’ in India.

By: ABHISHEK KUMAR GARG