With just two speakers, a language in Kerala with no script is on the brink of extinction

With just two speakers, a language in Kerala with no script is on the brink of extinction

Subject: History

Section: Art and Culture

Context:

• Kookanam’s Chakaliya community in Kerala faces the extinction of Madhika,  a unique language.
• UNESCO classifies languages in its ‘Atlas of Endangered Languages’ .

About Madhika Language :

• Madhika Language have similarities to Kannada language.
• Madhika combines Telugu, Tulu, Kannada, and Malayalam, adding complexity.

Reason of decline : 

• The disappearance of Madhika is attributed to the lack of interest, script, educational promotion, social stigma, and a dominating Malayalam language.

About Chakaliya community

• Chakaliya community, initially recognized as Scheduled Tribe, later included in the Scheduled Caste category in Kerala.
• Nomadic and worshipers of Thiruvenkatramana and Mariamma, they migrated from Karnataka centuries ago.
• Social stigma associated with the community and neglect contribute to Madhika’s decline.

What are the Constitutional Provisions Related to Languages in India?

• Article 29: It protects the interests of minorities. It ensures that all citizens have the right to preserve their distinct language, script, or culture.
• Eighth Schedule: It lists the official languages of the republic of India. Part XVII of the Indian constitution deals with the official languages in Articles 343 to 351. The Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution recognizes 22 official languages.
• Six languages in India currently have ‘Classical’ status listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
• Article 343:It states that the official language of the Union government is Hindi in Devanagari script, and numerals should follow the international form of Indian numerals.
• Article 345: The legislature of a State may by law adopt any one or more of the languages in use in the State or Hindi as the Language or Languages to be used for all or any of the official purposes of that State.
• Article 346: It recognizes India’s linguistic diversity by allowing multiple languages to be used in official communications. It also provides a mechanism to ensure effective communication between states and between a State and the Union.
• Article 347: It gives the President the power to recognise a language as an official language of a given state, provided that the President is satisfied that a substantial proportion of that state desires that the language be recognised. Such recognition can be for a part of the state or the whole state.
• Article 348(1):It provides that all proceedings in the Supreme Court and in every High Court shall be in English language until Parliament by law otherwise provides.
• Article 348(2): Provides further that notwithstanding the provisions of Article 348(1), the Governor of a state may, with the previous consent of the President, authorise the use of Hindi or any other language used for any official purpose, in proceedings in the High Court.
• Article 350: Every person shall be entitled to submit a representation for the redress of any grievance to any officer or authority of the Union or a State in any of the languages used in the Union or in the State, as the case may be.
• Article 350A of the Indian Constitution provides that every state must provide primary education in a mother tongue.
• Article 350B provides for the appointment of a “Special Officer” for linguistic minorities.
• Article 351:It gives power to the union government to issue a directive for the development of the Hindi language.