The Telangana and Andhra Pradesh volume of the People’s Linguist Survey of India (PLSI), carried out by the Baroda-based Bhasha Research and Publication Centre, will be released in the city on February 10.
The brain behind the survey, Prof. G.N. Devy, tells ROHIT P.S. that though seven languages in undivided Andhra Pradesh have disappeared over the last 40 years, the language health of the region is relatively good.
What is the PLSI?
The survey was carried out to identify living languages that are in use by communities. It was done with the involvement of communities itself. It is not a sample survey as it does not provide details like the count of number of people speaking a particular language. It can however serve as a reference list for future language surveys as our surveys show living languages at this time.
What does the Telangana and AP volume say?
Briefly, the volume lists all languages we could identify. Besides the chiefly spoken languages, we listed tribal languages by family. From our work we found that the Chenchu, Kupia, Erukala and Mukia languages of the respective communities, with five other non-scheduled languages, are under threat. We listed 22 languages in the PLSI volume and detailed of literature of some. During my work, I have also learnt that at least seven languages, largely of nomadic communities, have disappeared over the last few decades.
How did undivided AP fare vis-à-vis other States?
Undivided Andhra Pradesh fared better than other States as efforts were made to publish textbooks for schools in tribal languages under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), an initiative which can help a threatened language survive.
To draw a comparison, in Uttar Pradesh all local languages have been consumed by Hindi.
Among the southern States, AP region has a several non-Dravidian languages, including Dakhani and Urdu, which are doing well. Language diversity has been better preserved here.
What threat do tribal languages face? What can be done to save them?
When members of a certain community assimilate into the larger society and avail education in languages other than their mother tongue, the language loses speakers.
Similarly, when languages are not used in work setting, they are forgotten over time. Besides English education, an option has to be provided for studying in a child’s mother tongue.
When languages are not used in work setting, they are forgotten over time. Besides English education, an option has to be provided for studying in a child’s mother tongue
– G.N. Devy
PLSI chairperson
