With over 1.4 billion people and hundreds of languages, India is one of the most linguistically diverse places on the planet. According to the 2011 Census, the country has 121 major languages and over 270 mother tongues. Forty-three of these are spoken by over a million people, 17 have more than ten million speakers, and 22 languages are officially recognized in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
Without this information, it’s easy to think that Hindi is the only language spoken in India. Of course, there are over 528 million native Hindi speakers, which is roughly 43.6% of the total population. However, as data shows, millions speak other major languages in the country.
This article explores five of these widely spoken languages. But before we dive right in, check out this popular game casino slot and other exciting titles for Indian players.
Bengali
Interestingly, the Indian national anthem was originally written in Bengali. It’s the official language of West Bengal, Tripura, and the Barak Valley in Assam, and it is used in parts of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, too.
Roughly 8% of India’s population speaks Bengali, making it the second most spoken language in the country. Although it belongs to the Indo-Aryan language family, just like Hindi, it has a distinct sound, script, and rhythm that set it apart. In fact, the regional dialects within Bengali can also differ so much that you might wonder if you’re still listening to the same language.
Most Bengali words are derived from Sanskrit, although it is also said to have absorbed words from Persian, Arabic, and other languages. Interestingly, Bengali is also Bangladesh’s national language, which explains why it ranks among the world’s top ten most spoken languages.
Marathi
Marathi is the third most widely spoken language in India, spoken by about 6.9% of the population. It’s the official language of Maharashtra, a major state in western India, and the co-official language of Goa, a neighbouring state. Marathi is one of the oldest Indian languages that is still in regular use. Some evidence claims it dates back 2,000 years, but formal literature in Marathi only emerged around the 9th century.
There are over 40 regional variants of the language. There is the Standard Marathi, Varhadi (spoken in the Vidarbha region), Khandeshi (from northwestern Maharashtra), Deshi, Ahirani, and Malvani (popular in the Konkan coastal region). Each variant has a unique blend of accent, vocabulary, and expressions. Of the 40 variants, Standard Marathi and the Varhadi dialect are the most common.
Telugu
Telugu is a Dravidian language, a group of languages primarily spoken in southern India. The language is spoken mainly in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, two states that were, until 2014, just one. It’s also an official language in parts of Puducherry (specifically, the Yanam district) and spoken in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Around 6.7% of the country speaks Telugu, making it India’s fourth most spoken language. Thanks to a large Telugu-speaking diaspora, you’ll also hear it in cities and abroad, making its way to the U.S., the U.K., Australia, and beyond.
In terms of dialects, there are plenty. Spoken mainly by Telugu communities in Maharashtra with noticeable Marathi influence, the Domara, often associated with specific caste groups and rural regions, the Beraad, known for its distinct rural flavor and minimal Sanskrit influence, the Kamathi and Salavari, among others.
Tamil
Tamil is an incredibly ancient language. Some people believe it’s the oldest living language in the world, still spoken in its classical form. About 6.7% of Indians speak Tamil, mainly in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and parts of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. However, the language’s reach extends globally, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia, Mauritius, South Africa, and even Canada have large Tamil-speaking communities.
Notably, Texts of Ancient India, which is over 2,000 years old, was written in Tamil. You don’t need to be a linguist to appreciate how much history lives in such an old language. Although modern Tamil has evolved, there’s still a clear link to its classical roots. Some native speakers even recite ancient verses the way others might hum a popular song.
Urdu
Urdu is spoken by around 5% of the Indian population, primarily in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Telangana, and West Bengal, among other states. It shares a common ancestry with Hindi, both belonging to the Indo-Aryan language family. However, Urdu uses a script derived from Persian, incorporating vocabulary from Persian, Arabic, and Turkish. This gives it a distinct identity, particularly in its literary and poetic expressions.
Urdu is especially prominent in Indian poetry, music, and film. Many iconic Bollywood songs and dialogues are based on Urdu.
Conclusion
The Indian language system is divided into layers, some old, some new, and many overlapping. Besides Hindi and the other five languages discussed in this article, over a million people speak at least 43 more languages. Regardless of popularity, it is important to note that no language is superior or inferior. Each one carries its own unique history and culture, reflecting the identity and experiences of its speakers.
