“The rate at which the world is losing its languages over the past years, not more than 300 languages would survive at the end of this century out of the 6000 languages that were identified once,” says the ‘language-activist ‘whose advice is now being sought by UNESCO, the government of India, UGC and several other organization after his success in preserving and promoting ‘Bhil’ language.

“Papua New Guinea had 1,100 languages about 40 years ago, out of which not even 300 have survived. Indonesia had about 700 languages 30 years ago, but not even 100 languages can be located there now. In the entire western Europe, there are just about 65 languages left. Countries like France or China and Argentina insist on a policy of promoting only one single language in their countries,” says Prof Devy.

But, there is good news and hope. “India with its wealth of 850 languages can show the way to the world to preserve the unique world view that every language possesses,” the professor says. “They also contain the knowledge of ecology in the way the coastal communities of India can recognize and name every little change in the ocean waves and what they portend; or the 140 words in 22 languages of Himachal Pradesh which are used to describe every form of snow fall- things which can be interpreted in context of climate change or global warming. If these people were to forget their language, these interpretations would be lost to the world.” More.

See: Times of India

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