Endangered languages: Some concerns

Language is not simply a tool for communication but a central and defining feature of identity as all human thoughts conceptualized through a language and all human values are pronounced and perceived through it. A recent UNESCO report indicates that India has the largest number of endangered languages in the world. A matter of concern, besides the absolute numbers, is the distribution of these endangered languages across number of speakers. The languages under threat include scheduled, non-scheduled as well as official languages of some of the states. Policies for protecting and promoting the entire range of endangered languages are needed if the linguistic diversity of India is to be preserved.