Classical language status

Description

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Context:

Amid a demand for classical status for many languages, the Central government has decided to tweak the criteria for giving this special tag.

Background:

There are ongoing debates and demands from various linguistic communities to grant classical status to additional languages like Marathi, Bengali, Assamese, etc.
The union government had constituted The Linguistics Expert Committee comprising representatives of the Union Ministries of Home, Culture and four to five linguistic experts at any given time. It is chaired by the president of the Sahitya Akademi.
The Linguistics Expert Committee of the Union Culture Ministry submitted a report in October last year, suggesting some changes in the criteria for according classical status to any language.

Classical Languages

●Indian classical languages are those that meet specific criteria of antiquity, originality of literary tradition, and distinctiveness from their modern forms.

●Currently, India recognizes six languages as classical: Tamil (declared in 2004), Sanskrit (2005), Kannada (2008), Telugu (2008), Malayalam (2013), and Odia (2014).

●All the Classical Languages are listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.

Criteria for Classification:

●A language must have a recorded history of at least 1,500-2,000 years.

●It should possess a substantial body of ancient literature considered valuable heritage.

●The literary tradition should be original and not borrowed from another community.

●There should be a discernible continuity or discontinuity between the classical form and its modern counterpart.

Benefits of Classical Language Status:

Special Recognition and Government Support

Languages granted classical status receive special recognition and support from the government.

Educational Benefits

Educational benefits include funding for research, establishment of centres of excellence, and creation of professorial chairs in universities.

International Awards for Scholars

International awards for scholars specialising in these languages are also promoted.

Preservation of Cultural Identity and Heritage

Classical languages play a crucial role in preserving cultural identity and heritage.

Repositories of Ancient Wisdom and Literature

They serve as repositories of ancient wisdom, literature, and religious texts. Example: Sanskrit literature includes ancient texts like the Vedas, Upanishads, and epics like the Mahabharata and Ramayana, which are importantl to understanding Indian philosophy, spirituality, and ethics.

Understanding Linguistic and Cultural Diversity

They are essential for understanding India's diverse linguistic and cultural landscape.Ex. Sangam Literature composed between 300 BCE to 300 CE, covering diverse themes including love, war, and ethics.

For detailed study on Classical languages

https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/classical-languages-of-india

Source

https://epaper.thehindu.com/ccidist-ws/th/th_international/issues/90105/OPS/G9GD1HCO9.1.png?cropFromPage=true

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q) Which of the following statements regarding classical languages in India are incorrect?

A language declared as classical by UNESCO automatically qualifies as a classical language in India.
The criteria for a language to be recognized as classical in India include having a recorded history of at least 500 years and a substantial body of ancient literature.
All classical languages recognized in India are currently spoken as the primary language by over 10 million people each.
The Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution includes languages that are declared as classical by UNESCO.

a) only one

b) only two

c) only three

d) All four

Answer: b)

Explanation:

●Statement 1 is incorrect: A language does not need to be declared as classical by UNESCO to qualify as a classical language in India. The recognition in India is based on specific criteria set by the Indian government, not by UNESCO.

●Statement 2 is incorrect: The criteria for a language to be recognized as classical in India include having a recorded history of at least 1,500-2,000 years and a substantial body of ancient literature considered valuable heritage.

●Statement 3 is incorrect : Not All classical languages recognized in India are currently spoken as the primary language by over 10 million people.

○Sanskrit: While not widely spoken as a primary language by people today, it holds a classical status and is studied by scholars and in educational institutions.

○Tamil: Spoken by over 70 million people primarily in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry in India, as well as in Sri Lanka and various diaspora communities.

○Telugu: Spoken by over 75 million people primarily in the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

○Kannada: Spoken by over 45 million people primarily in Karnataka state.

○Malayalam: Spoken by over 35 million people primarily in Kerala state and also in Lakshadweep, Mahe (Puducherry), and other parts of India.

○Odia (Oriya): Spoken by over 40 million people primarily in the Indian state of Odisha.

●Statement 4 is incorrect: The Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution includes languages that are recognized as scheduled languages, which may or may not overlap with classical languages. The inclusion in the Eighth Schedule is not contingent upon UNESCO's classification.