Lok Sabha Question No. 3044 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-05
Subject: Protection of Languages
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: BANSHILAL MAHTO

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED  QUESTION NO. 3044

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 5.12.2016

## PROTECTION OF LANGUAGES

- † 3044.  DR.BANSHILAL MAHATO:

Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state :

- a) whether the Government is aware that several languages and dialects are on  the  verge  of  extinction  including  the  list  of  such  languages  in  the country; and if so, the details thereof;
- b) the reasons for the threat and the reaction of the Government thereto;
- c) whether there is any symbiotic relationship between culture and language and these languages which are on the verge of extinction also threaten the existence of those cultures to which they belong; and
- d) if so,   the details  of the steps being taken by the Government to protect these languages and cultures which are on the verge of extinction ?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (DR. MAHENDRA NATH PANDEY)

(a)  to  (d):      Yes  Madam.  A  list  of  endangered  languages  in  India  including critically  endangered languages is given in the Annexure.  Languages become extinct because either the speakers of these languages die or there are no first language speakers left.  Once the language becomes endangered the culture is also  endangered.  The  Government  of  India  has  initiated  a  Scheme  known  as 'Protection  and  Preservation  of  Endangered  Languages  of  India'  (SPPEL). Under this scheme,  the Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL), Mysore works  on  protection, preservation  and  documentation  of all  the  mother tongues/languages of India which are spoken by less than 10,000 people.  The Government has also initiated a project known as Bharatavani being implemented by the CIIL for all languages, especially the languages spoken by more than ten thousand persons, in the cyberspace.  This project aims to build a  searchable  knowledge  repository  in  and  about  all  the  languages  in  India  in multimedia (text, audio, video images) formats through an online portal.

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ANNEXURE  REFERRED  TO  REPLY  TO  PART  (a)  to  (d)  of  LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO.  3044  ASKED  BY  DR.BANSHILAL  MAHATO FOR 5.12.2016 REGARDING PROTECTION OF  LANGUAGES

- 1
- A'tong
- 2 Adi
- 3 Ahom
- 4 Aimol
- 5 Aiton
- 6 Aka
- 7 Aka
- 8 Anal
- 9 Andro
- 10 Angami
- 11 Angika
- 12 Ao
- 13 Apatani
- 14 Asur
- 15
- Badaga
- 16
- Baghati
- 17 Balti
- 18 Bangani
- 19 Bangni
- 20 Bawm
- 21 Bellari
- 22
- 41 Darma 81 Kodagu
- 42 Deori
- 43
- 82 Koireng
- 83 Kokborok
- Dimasa
- 44 Gadaba 84 Kolami
- 45 Galo
- 46
- 85 Kom
- Gangte 86 Konda
- 47
- 87 Konyak
- Garhwali
- 48 Geta? 88 Koraga
- 49 Gondi 89 Korku
- 50 Gorum 90 Koro
- 51 Great Andamanese 91 Korwa
- 52
- Gutob 92 Kota
- 53 Handuri 93 Kui
- 54
- Hill Miri
- 94 Kului
- 55 Hmar 95 Kumaoni
- 56
- Ho 96 Kundal Shahi
- 57 Hrangkhol 97 Kurru
- 58 Idu
- 59
- Irula
- 98 Kuruba
- 99 Kurux
- 60 Jad 100 Kuvi
- 61
- Jangshung 101 Ladakhi
- Bhadravahi 62 Jarawa
- 23 Bhalesi
- 24 Bharmauri
- 25
- 63 Jaunsari
- 64 Juang
- Bhumji 65 Kabui
- 26 Biete
- 27 Birhor
- 28 Bishnupriya Manipuri Creole
- 29 Bodo
- 66 Kachari
- 67 Kanashi
- 68 Kangdi
- 69 Karbi
- 30 Bokar 70 Khamba
- 31
- 32
- 33
- 102 Lamgang
- 103 Lamongse
- 104 Langrong
- 105 Lepcha
- 106 Lhota
- 107 Liangmai

108

Limbu

- 109 Lishpa
- 110 Luro
- Bori 71 Khampti 111 Mahasui
- Brokshat 72 Kharia 112 Malto
- Bunan 73 Khasali
- 113 Manchad
- 34 Byangsi 74 Kheza 114 Manda
- 35
- Chambeali 75 Khiamngan 115 Mandeali
- 36 Chang
- 37
- 76 Khoirao
- Chokri 77 Khowa
- 38 Churahi

116

Mao

- 117 Mara
- 78 Kinnauri 118 Maram
- 39 Cuona Menba 79 Koch 119 Maring
- 40 Dakpa 80 Koda 120 Mech
- 121
- 122
- Meithei 161 Sangtam
- Miji
- 162 Sengmai
- 123
- Miju 163 Sentilese
- 124 Milang
- 164 Sherdukpen
- 125
- Minyong 165 Sherpa
- 126 Mising
- 127
- 166 Shompen
- Mizo
- 167 Simi
- 128 Motuo Menba 168 Singpho
- 129
- 130
- Moyon
- Mra
- 131
- Mundari
- 132 Muot
- 133
- Mzieme
- 134
- 135
- 136
- 137
- Na
- 169 Sirmaudi
- 170 Sora
- 171 Spiti
- 172 Sulung
- 173 Tagin
- 174 Tai Nora
- Nahali 175 Tai Phake
- Naiki
- 176 Tai Rong
- Nihali 177 Takahanyilang
- 138
- Nocte
- 178 Tamang
- 139 Nruanghmei
- 179 Tangam
- 140
- Nyishi 180 Tangkhul
- 141
- 142
- 143
- Onge
- 181 Tangsa
- Padam
- Padri
- 144
- Paite
- 145 Pangvali
- 146
- Parji
- 147
- Pasi
- 148 Pengo
- 149
- 150
- 151
- 152
- Phom
- 182 Tarao
- 183 Taruang
- 184 Thado
- 185 Tinan
- 186 Tiwa
- 187 Toda
- 188 Tolcha
- 189 Toto
- Pochuri 190 Tshangla
- Pu
- 191 Tulu
- Purik
- 192 Turi
- 153 Purum 193 Wancho
- 154
- Rabha 194 Yimchungru
- 155
- Rangkas
- 195 Zaiwa
- 156 Remo
- 157
- Rengma
- 158 Rongpo
- 159 Ruga
- 160 Sanenyo

196

Zangskari

- 197 Zeme