Indian Languages - A Barrier In Communication.

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Indian Languages - A Barrier In Communication

 (By Shubhangi Paliwal) 


Image By:- Sukriti Singh

Linguistic communication is a roadblock in India? 

India is the second-largest country with an estimated population of 138 corers. More than 19,500 languages are spoken in India as mother tongues, according to the latest analysis of the census. 

In India, languages are one of the biggest factors contributing to diversity in India. It’s not only the barrier in north-south but also the east-west. 

The constitution consists of 22 languages that are Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, 

Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Oriya, 

Punjabi, Sanskrit, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, Bodo, Santhali, Maithili, and Dogri, 14 languages were initially included in the constitution. In 1992, the Sindhi language was added after that in 1992, Konkani, Manipuri, and Nepali languages were added and in 2004 four more languages were added Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, and Santhali. 

The language barrier refers to a linguistic barrier, difficulties in communication between people or groups originally speaking different languages. 

20% of the earth's population speaks one language that is “English” and that is 1.5 billion people. Now India is the second-largest English-speaking country after the US. The language barrier prevents the free flow of information. It can cause simple tasks in daily life to be difficult. The small things that matter can be compromised just because of the language barrier.  

They feel difficulty sharing their views and perceptions on things and it also leads to misunderstanding and misinterpretation between people, so we can say the language barrier can affect the quality of life. 

French, Germans, Italians, Russians, Koreans, Japanese, or even Chinese and many other people worldwide have traditionally taken considerable pride in their language leading to the exclusion of foreign languages in their countries for centuries. So why not India can have the national language that’s it compulsory for all to study. 


Number of speakers in India (2011 Census) 

 

First language speakers 

Second language 
speakers

Third language 
speakers

Total speakers 

Languag
e 

Figure

% of total populatio n 

Figure

% of total populatio n 

Hindi

528,347,19
3 

43.63% 

139,207,18
0 

24,160,69 6 

691,347,19
3 

57.09% 

English 

259,678 

0.02% 

83,125,221 

45,993,06 6 

129,259,67
8 

10.67% 

Bengali 

97,237,669 

8.03% 

9,037,222 

1,008,088 

107,237,66
9 

8.85% 

Marathi 

83,026,680 

6.86% 

12,923,626 

2,966,019 

99,026,680 

8.18% 

Telugu 

81,127,740 

6.70% 

11,946,414 

1,001,498 

94,127,740 

7.77% 

Tamil 

69,026,881 

5.70% 

6,992,253 

956,335 

77,026,881 

6.36% 

Gujarati 

55,492,554 

4.58% 

4,035,489 

1,007,912 

60,492,554 

4.99% 

Urdu 

50,772,631 

4.19% 

11,055,287 

1,096,428 

62,772,631 

5.18% 

Kannada 

43,706,512 

3.61% 

14,076,355 

993,989 

58,706,512 

4.84% 

Odia 

37,521,324 

3.10% 

4,972,151 

31,525 

42,551,324 

3.51% 

Malayala m 

34,838,819 

2.88% 

499,188 

195,885 

35,538,819 

2.93% 

Punjabi 

33,124,726 

2.74% 

2,300,000 

720,000 

36,074,726 

2.97% 

Sanskrit 

24,821 

0.002% 

1,234,931 

1,196,223 

2,360,821 

0.19 % 

     

Situations where the problem of a language barrier occurs 

  • Government and private OPDs, clinics, and hospitals 

  • Organizations of doctors who travel to remote areas and crises to provide medical aid  

  • Students travel to study from one state to another 

 

  • Increase in time:-when the language barrier exists between two people. We need more time to explain and make sure that the other person is understood. 

 

  • Decreased transparency:-Getting difficulty to understand with a clear view. 

  • Possibility of loss of information:-what the person is saying and how much we understand at that time. 

  • Impact on trust and relationship 

Ways to overcome the barrier 

  • Use of model and images /diagrams 

  • Gesture and actions 

  • With the help of interpretation 

  • Learn their language 

  • We can overcome this barrier by 

  • Increasing interstate student exchange program 

  • Promoting the language “Hindi” keeping in mind the level of social acceptability. 

  • Cinemas and film /digital media could play a crucial role. 

So there is language barrier the India manly between the north and south but India is full of color, religion, and culture and known for its diversity, but we need to overcome this and own the fact. 

Try to be more optimistic and explore the different states and their culture. 

I am from MP and when I went to Telangana(Hyderabad) “the metro city” the IT. It's great to explore the food, culture, people, and yes there was a time when I felt like an outsider but the people were very supportive. There are people just like you “are you afraid, so they are” just try to create a friendly environment around those who are ready to explore and put themselves out there. 

Open your heart and warm towards the people. 



Disclaimer:-

The opinions expressed in this article are the personal opinions of the author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of Light de Literacy and LDL does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.


An NGO, run by group of socially active, determined & educated youths, aims to educate underprivileged children.

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