Lok Sabha Question No. 213 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-18
Subject: Protection of Endangered Languages
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: GEETHA KOTHAPALLI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 213 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.7.2016

## PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED LANGUAGES

## 213.   SHRIMATI KOTHAPALLI GEETHA:

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

- a) whether the Government has noticed that a large number of languages have gone extinct in the country since the time of independence, if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefore;
- b) whether  United  Nations  Educational  Scientific  and  Cultural  Organisation  (UNESCO)  has found there are 197 endangered languages in the country with 42 classified as critically endangered which are included in the list Nihali, traced to the pre-Aryan and pre-munda period, if so, the details thereof; and
- c) the steps taken by the Government to protect all languages in the country?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SHRI. PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)

- (a) Yes,  Madam . The  Government  is  aware  that  a  few  languages  have  become  extinct  since independence. These languages became extinct because either the speakers of these languages died or there are no first language speakers left.
- (b) The information of 197 endangered languages and 42 critically endangered languages of that list, as classified by UNESCO, is at annexure.
- (c) 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 spoken by less than 10,000 people.  The Government has also initiated a Project known as Bharatavani 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 (b) of LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO.  213  ASKED  BY  SHRIMATI  KOTHAPALLI  GEETHA  FOR 18.07.2016 REGARDING PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED 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 Bhadravahi
- 23 Bhalesi
- 24 Bharmauri
- 25 Bhumji
- 26 Biete
- 27 Birhor
- 28 Bishnupriya Manipuri Creole
- 29 Bodo
- 30
- 81 Kodagu
- 82 Koireng
- 83 Kokborok
- 41 Darma
- 42 Deori
- 43
- Dimasa
- 44 Gadaba 84 Kolami
- 45 Galo
- 85 Kom
- 46 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
- 55 Hmar
- 56
- Ho
- 94 Kului
- 95 Kumaoni
- 96 Kundal Shahi
- 57 Hrangkhol 97 Kurru
- 58 Idu
- 59
- Irula
- 98 Kuruba
- 99 Kurux
- 60 Jad 100 Kuvi
- 61 Jangshung
- 62 Jarawa
- 63 Jaunsari
- 64 Juang
- 65 Kabui
- 66 Kachari
- 67 Kanashi
- 68 Kangdi
- 69 Karbi
- Bokar 70 Khamba
- 101 Ladakhi
- 102 Lamgang
- 103 Lamongse
- 104 Langrong
- 105 Lepcha
- 106 Lhota
- 107 Liangmai

108

Limbu

- 109 Lishpa
- 110 Luro
- 31 Bori 71 Khampti 111 Mahasui
- 32 Brokshat
- 33
- 112 Malto
- 113 Manchad
- 72 Kharia
- Bunan 73 Khasali
- 34 Byangsi 74 Kheza 114 Manda
- 35
- Chambeali 75 Khiamngan 115 Mandeali
- 36 Chang
- 37 Chokri
- 38 Churahi
- 76 Khoirao
- 77 Khowa
- 78 Kinnauri

116

Mao

- 117 Mara
- 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