Topic: 2024-Indigenous Languages
Country: India
Delegate Name: Evangeline Harris
Topic A: Indigenous Languages
India has one of the most linguistically diverse populations in the world. With 780 languages, 600 of which are incredibly endangered, the Union of India only recognizes around 20 of them to be official and only uses around 14 of them to print important information. Despite the large number of indigenous languages in India, the Union of India considers any language with fewer than 10,000 speakers extinct and does not make a great effort to conserve it.
While the primary speakers of these languages are the Indigenous communities themselves, promoting their use in broader contexts—such as educational environments, media, and public information—could help preserve them and increase awareness. India does have experience with integrating a small number of Indigenous languages like Santali, Bodo, and Manipuri into education putting some effort to help maintain cultural diversity. India advocates for the approach of: Indigenous languages being celebrated and respected outside their communities, but their use must prioritize the consent of Indigenous people. India has successfully protected some Indigenous languages through constitutional implementation. For instance: The Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India recognizes 22 scheduled languages out of the existing 780, including some Indigenous languages, granting them official status and access to state resources. Educational policies such as the National Education Policy 2020 emphasize “mother tongue-based” multilingual education to sustain linguistic diversity. Cultural preservation initiatives like the Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs) and the promotion of Indigenous art, literature, and festivals. Indigenous languages can attract cultural tourism. For example, India’s tribal art and literature are valuable cultural exports. Supporting languages helps create jobs in education, publishing, and cultural industries. India encourages collaborative efforts among states, Indigenous communities, and private companies to preserve Indigenous languages while respecting their origins. India does believe that Indigenous languages are fundamental to preserving cultural diversity and ensuring that Indigenous communities maintain their unique identities in an interconnected world. By emphasizing education, cultural preservation, technology integration, and international collaboration, India aims to support the sustainable revival of indigenous languages both within its borders and globally. As a nation committed to cultural diversity, India calls upon member states to work collectively to implement more innovative, inclusive, and effective strategies to protect the world’s linguistic heritage.
Bibliography:
Cultural invisibility – India’s 600 potentially endangered languages – Tribal Cultural Heritage in India. (n.d.). Retrieved from indiantribalheritage.org website: https://indiantribalheritage.org/?p=6039#gsc.tab=0
her. (n.d.). The Silent Crisis: Indigenous Languages on the Brink of Extinction in India. Retrieved from www.hercircle.in website: https://www.hercircle.in/engage/get-inspired/trending/the-silent-crisis-indigenous-languages-on-the-brink-of-extinction-in-india-6805.html
UNESCO launches Report on India’s Tribal and Indigenous Languages | UNESCO. (n.d.). Retrieved from www.unesco.org website: https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/unesco-launches-report-indias-tribal-and-indigenous-languages
