Linguistic Diversity of India| Class 10 Civics Notes

Linguistic Diversity of India is a broad term in the context of Federalism. It is a subpart of Class 10 Civics which is described under Chapter 2 Federalism. The subpart Linguistic Diversity of India talks about the differences between the various languages and how the people of India communicate with each other. As per the Census of India (2011), there are almost 121 major and 1599 regional languages in India. In these, there are a total of 22 languages that have already been declared as Scheduled languages as per the Constitution of India. India does not have a national language.

In this article, we are going to discuss the Class 10 Civics Notes Linguistic Diversity of India which is a subpart of Chapter 2: Federalism.

Linguistic Diversity of India

India is a diverse country and there are so many aspects to say so. The linguistic diversity of India describes the language diversity of the country. There are around 122 languages officially recognized by the Constitution of India. In these 121 languages, there are 22 Scheduled Languages and rest 99 languages are Non-Scheduled Languages. Further, we can group these languages into different categories. As per the Constitution of India, the 22 Scheduled Languages are mentioned in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India. They are mentioned in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India and all are considered as the official languages because 97.65 % of people of this country mostly communicate in these languages. 

Here we have mentioned those 22 Scheduled Languages with their proportion of speakers in percentage as mentioned below. 

Linguistic Diversity of India – 22 Scheduled Languages with Their Proportion of Speakers
Language Name	Proportion of Speakers (In Percentage)
Assamese	1.26
Bengali	8.03
Bodo	0.12
Dogri	0.21
Gujarati	4.58
Hindi	43.63
Kannada	3.61
Kashmiri	0.56
Konkani	0.19
Maithili	1.12
Malayalam	2.88
Manipuri	0.15
Marathi	6.86
Nepali	0.24
Odia	3.10
Punjabi	2.74
Sanskrit	NA
Santali	0.61
Sindhi	0.23
Tamil	5.70
Telugu	6.70
Urdu	4.19

How the Linguistic Diversity of India Affects Federalism

The Linguistic Diversity of India Affects Federalism in many ways. The Linguistic Diversity of India influences the federal structure of the country. Let us discuss.

• India’s federal structure is recognized by the division of powers between central and state governments. Linguistic Diversity helped in the recognition process with the States Reorganization Act of 1956 which was totally based on linguistic diversity. 
• Linguistic Diversity influenced the country’s language policies which was an integral part of the country’s federal structure. This process of recognition ensures diversity preservation and offers the same respect at the federal level.
• Linguistic Diversity is the cultural identity in different regions of India through federal structure. A state with a distinct language carries a sense of greater autonomy.

Conclusion – Class 10 Civics Notes – Linguistic Diversity of India – (Chapter 2: Federalism)

In the NCERT Class 10 Civics subpart Linguistic Diversity of India of Chapter 2: Federalism describes India’s linguistic diversity to the world. There are almost 19,500 languages in India which covers the whole India. Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kashmiri, Kannada, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Oriya, Punjabi are the 22 Scheduled Languages as per the Indian Constitution. The Linguistic Diversity of India Affects Federalism in many ways including state formation processes, setting different language policies, defining cultural identity, and so on. 

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FAQs on Class 10 Civics Notes – Linguistic Diversity of India – (Chapter 2: Federalism)

What is the Linguistic Culture of India?

There are more than three hundred languages and dialects spoken in India, Hindi, the national language is spoken by over 43% of the population. Some of the other languages that are spoken are Gujarati, Punjabi, Bengali, Urdu, Marathi, Oriya, Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam.

Why is Preserving Linguistic Diversity Important in India?

Linguistic diversity is crucial for understanding the full range of human expression and communication. Each language provides unique perspectives and ways of expressing thoughts, emotions, and experiences. India comprises 28 states and 8 Union Territories, each with its unique linguistic landscape.

What are the Linguistic Factors of India?

Linguistically, India is divided into six major language regions – Central, East, North-East, South-Central, Himalayan, and Peninsular – with a variety of languages spoken in each region. These distinct language groups are an integral part of Indian cultural heritage.

What do You Mean by Linguistic Diversity?

Language diversity, or linguistic diversity, is a broad term used to describe the differences between different languages and the ways that people communicate with each other.

What are the Three Main Linguistic Divisions of India?

Grierson classified Indian languages into three broad groups. They are, (1) Indo-Aryan, (2) Dravidian and (3) Dardic languages.

What Causes Linguistic Diversity in India?

India is a fascinating case study in linguistic diversity, with a complex linguistic landscape that is shaped by centuries of migration, trade, conquest, and colonialism. This linguistic diversity is an integral part of the country’s identity, and it plays a crucial role in shaping its culture, politics, and society.