Why in News
- UNESCO (2024 report): India tops the global list of countries with the maximum number of endangered dialects.
- Dogri, spoken in the Jammu region, faces a sharp decline in usage despite being an official language of J&K (since 2020) and part of the Eighth Schedule (since 2003).
- Concern raised by linguists like D.G. Rao (former Director, Central Institute of Indian Languages): India lost over 220 languages in the last 50 years.
Relevance
- GS-1 (Culture): Language as a component of India’s intangible cultural heritage.
- GS-2 (Governance): Policy implementation gaps in linguistic inclusion.
- GS-3 (Social Issues): Impact of globalization and migration on cultural identity)
Basic Context
- Dogri Language:
- Belongs to the Indo-Aryan family (subgroup: Western Pahari).
- Spoken mainly in Jammu, parts of Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and northern Pakistan.
- Recognized under Eighth Schedule of the Constitution (92nd Amendment, 2003).
- Official status in J&K under the Official Languages Act, 2020, alongside Urdu, Hindi, Kashmiri, and English.
Current Issue: Linguistic Extinction Trend
- Globalisation & Migration:
- People prioritise economically dominant languages (Hindi, English) for mobility and jobs.
- Regional languages lose intergenerational transmission.
- Cultural Assimilation:
- Younger speakers identify more with national/global culture than regional identity.
- Digital Neglect:
- Dogri lacks digital presence (content creation, social media, or e-learning resources).
Survey Insights (Jammu Region)
- Sample Size: 130 respondents, across 20 locations.
- Method: Random sampling (intervals of 3–4 households).
Findings:
- 48%: Government has failed to give adequate policy support.
- 43.2%: Dogri has little career or employment relevance.
- Generational Divide:
- Elderly (>60 years): Fluent speakers.
- Youth (<30 years): Understand but rarely use Dogri in public/education.
Dimensions
Policy Dimension
- Delayed Recognition: Dogri added to Eighth Schedule only in 2003, long after languages like Konkani (1992).
- Implementation Deficit: Despite official status, Dogri not widely used in administration or education.
- Lack of Institutional Support:
- Insufficient funding for Dogri literature, teacher training, and curriculum integration.
- Weak implementation of the National Policy on Languages (draft form).
Socio-Economic Dimension
- Urban Aspirations: Urban youth prefer Hindi/English for employability.
- Migration: Outmigration to metros erodes community language use.
- Media Dominance: Bollywood and digital media reinforce Hindi over Dogri.
Generational Dimension
- Language Shift: Shift from “mother-tongue use” to bilingualism or language abandonment.
- Cultural Disconnect: Folklore, songs, oral traditions in Dogri are vanishing due to lack of transmission.
Keywords Explained
| Term | Explanation |
| Eighth Schedule | List of 22 languages recognized by the Indian Constitution (Article 344(1) & 351) for promotion and representation. |
| Endangered Language | A language at risk of falling out of use because speakers shift to other dominant languages. |
| Linguistic Diversity Index (LDI) | Measures probability that two randomly selected individuals speak different mother tongues; India’s LDI ≈ 0.93 (high). |
| Language Shift | Gradual replacement of one language by another within a speech community. |
| Revitalization Policy | Measures to preserve and promote endangered languages through education, documentation, and media presence. |
Constitutional & Institutional Framework
- Article 29: Protection of linguistic and cultural rights of minorities.
- Article 350A: Instruction in the mother tongue at the primary stage.
- Article 351: Duty of the Union to promote the spread of Hindi without interfering with other languages.
- Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL): Apex body for research and preservation.
- Scheme for Protection and Preservation of Endangered Languages (SPPEL): Launched by Ministry of Education to document endangered tongues.
Challenges Specific to Dogri
- Low inclusion in school curriculum (except a few optional papers in J&K).
- Negligible administrative use despite official recognition.
- Declining literary publication and print media presence.
- Weak community initiatives for cultural revival.
Comparative Insight
| Region | Language | Revival Strategy | Outcome |
| Northeast India | Bodo | Added to Eighth Schedule + language academies + textbooks | Revival successful |
| South India | Tulu | Active digital movement (#TuluOfficialLanguage) | Awareness growing |
| Jammu (Dogri) | Dogri | Constitutional + official recognition only (no education/media base) | Decline continues |
Way Forward
- Educational Integration:
- Make Dogri mandatory in primary schools in Jammu region.
- Develop digital Dogri learning platforms.
- Administrative Implementation:
- Ensure use of Dogri in local governance, signage, and official documents.
- Cultural Revitalization:
- Encourage Dogri theatre, cinema, and literature festivals.
- Promote Dogri on Doordarshan, AIR, and digital platforms.
- Documentation & Research:
- Expand SPPEL coverage with academic partnerships (CIIL, JNU, University of Jammu).
