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It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Languages of South Asia. (Discuss) |
India is home to several hundred languages. Most languages spoken in India belong either to the Indo-European (ca. 74%), the Dravidian (ca. 24%), the Austroasiatic (Munda) (ca. 1.2%), or the Tibeto-Burman (ca. 0.6%) families, with some languages of the Himalayas still unclassified.
The SIL Ethnologue lists 415 living languages for India.
Contents |
Overview
Hindi (Standard Hindi in addition to many dialects of varying mutual intelligibility, forming a macrolanguage) is the most widespread language of India. The Indian census takes the widest possible definition of "Hindi" as a broad variety of "Hindi languages". The native speakers of Hindi so defined accounts for about 40% of Indians.
Indian English is recorded as the native language of 226,449 Indians in the 2001 census. English is the second "language of the Union" besides Hindi.[1]
Thirteen languages account for more than 1% of Indian population each, and between themselves for over 95%; all of them are "scheduled languages of the constitution" except Saraiki which is languages of more than 40 million speakers[citation needed] in india.[dubious ]
Scheduled languages spoken by less than 1% of Indians are Santali (0.64%), Nepali (0.28%), Sindhi (0.25%), Manipuri (0.14%), Bodo (0.13%), Dogri (0.01%), spoken in Jammu and Kashmir). The largest language that is not "scheduled" is Bhili (0.95%), followed by Gondi (0.27%), Tulu (0.17%) and Kurukh (0.098980986%)
List by number of native speakers
Further information: List of languages by number of native speakers
Ordered by number of speakers as first language. Indian population in 1991 exhibited 19.4% of bilingualism and 7.2% of trilingualism, so that the total percentage of "native languages" is at about 127%.
More than one million speakers
The 2001 census recorded 29 individual languages as having more than 1 million native speakers (0.1% of total population).
| Rank | Language | 2001 census[1] (total population 1,004.59 million) |
1991 censusIndian Census [2] (total population 838.14 million) |
Encarta estimate of total number of speakers worldwide (2007) [2] | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speakers | Percentage | Speakers | Percentage | Speakers | ||
| 1 | Hindi[3] | 422,048,642 | 41.03%▲ | 337,272,114[4] | 40.0% | 336 M |
| 2 | Bengali | 83,369,769 | 8.11%▼ | 69,595,738 | 8.30% | 207 M |
| 3 | Telugu | 74,002,856 | 7.37%▼ | 66,017,615 | 7.87% | 69.7 M |
| 4 | Marathi | 71,936,894 | 6.99% ▼ | 62,481,681 | 7.45% | 68.0 M |
| 5 | Tamil | 60,793,814 | 5.91%▼ | 53,006,368 | 6.32% | 66.0 M |
| 6 | Urdu | 51,536,111 | 5.01%▼ | 43,406,932 | 5.18% | 60.3 M |
| 7 | Gujarati | 46,091,617 | 4.48%▼ | 40,673,814 | 4.85% | 46.1 M |
| 8 | Kannada | 37,924,011 | 3.69%▼ | 32,753,676 | 3.91% | 40.3 M |
| 9 | Malayalam | 33,066,392 | 3.21%▼ | 30,377,176 | 3.62% | 35.7 M |
| 10 | Oriya | 33,017,446 | 3.21%▼ | 28,061,313 | 3.35% | 32.3 M |
| 11 | Punjabi | 29,102,477 | 2.83%▲ | 23,378,744 | 2.79% | 57.1 M |
| 12 | Assamese | 13,168,484 | 1.28%▲ | 13,079,696 | 1.56% | 15.4 M |
| 14 | Maithili[5] | 12,179,122 | 1.18% | |||
| 15 | Bhili/Bhilodi | 9,582,957 | 0.95%▲ | 5,572,308 | 0.665% | |
| 16 | Santali | 6,469,600 | 0.64%▲ | 5,216,325 | 0.622% | |
| 17 | Kashmiri | 5,527,698 | ||||
| 18 | Gondi | 2,713,790 | 0.27%▲ | 2,124,852 | 0.253% | |
| 19 | Sindhi | 2,535,485 | 0.25%▬ | 2,122,848 | 0.248% | |
| 20 | Konkani | 2,489,015 | 0.24%▲ | 1,760,607 | 0.210% | |
| 21 | Dogri | 2,282,589[dubious ][6] | 0.22% | |||
| 22 | Khandeshi | 2,075,258 | 0.21% | |||
| 23 | Kurukh | 1,751,489 | 0.17% | 1,426,618 | 0.170% | |
| 24 | Tulu | 1,722,768 | 0.17% | 1,552,259 | 0.185% | |
| 25 | Meitei/Manipuri | 1,466,705* | 0.14% | 1,270,216 | 0.151% | |
| 26 | Bodo | 1,350,478 | 0.13% | 1,221,881 | 0.146% | |
| 27 | Khasi | 1,128,575 | 0.112% | |||
| 28 | Mundari | 1,061,352 | 0.105% | |||
| 29 | Ho | 1,042,724 | 0.103% | |||
* Excludes figures of Paomata, Mao-Maram and Purul sub-divisions of Senapati district of Manipur for 2001.
** The percentage of speakers of each language for 2001 has been worked out on the total population of India excluding the population of Mao-Maram, Paomata and Purul subdivisions of Senapati district of Manipur due to cancellation of census results.
100,000 to one million speakers
| 30 | Kui | 916,222 | |
| 31 | Garo | 889,479 | |
| 32 | Kokborok | 854,023 | |
| 33 | Mizo | 674,756 | |
| 34 | Halabi | 593,43 | |
| 35 | Korku | 574,481 | |
| 36 | Munda | 469,357 | |
| 37 | Mishing | 390,583 | 0.047% |
| 38 | Karbi/Mikir | 366,229 | 0.044% |
| 39 | Saurashtra | 310,000 | 0.037% |
| 40 | Savara | 273,168 | 0.033% |
| 41 | Koya | 270,994 | 0.032% |
| 42 | Kharia | 225,556 | 0.027% |
| 43 | Khond/Kondh | 220,783 | 0.026% |
| 44 | English | 178,598 | 0.021% |
| 45 | Nishi | 173,791 | 0.021% |
| 46 | Ao | 172,449 | 0.021% |
| 47 | Sema | 166,157 | 0.020% |
| 48 | Kisan | 162,088 | 0.019% |
| 49 | Adi | 158,409 | 0.019% |
| 50 | Rabha | 139,365 | 0.017% |
| 51 | Konyak | 137,722 | 0.016% |
| 52 | Malto | 108,148 | 0.013% |
| 53 | Thado | 107,992 | 0.013% |
| 54 | Tangkhul | 101,841 | 0.012% |
10,000 to 100,000 speakers
| 1991 census | SIL estimate | ||
| 55 | Kolami | 98,281 (0.012%) | 115,000 (1997) Northwestern: 50,000; Southeastern: 10,000 |
| 56 | Angami | 97,631 (0.012%) | 109,000 (1997) |
| 57 | Kodagu | 97,011 (0.012%) | 122,000 |
| 58 | Dogri | 89,681 (0.011%) | (Pakistan+India: 2.1 million) |
| 59 | Dimasa | 88,543 (0.011%) | 106,000 |
| 60 | Lotha | 85,802 (0.010%) | 80,000 |
| 61 | Mao | 77,810 (0.009%) | 81,000 |
| 62 | Tibetan | 69,146 (0.008%) | 124,280 (1994) |
| 63 | Kabui (Rongmei) | 68,925 (0.008%) | 59,000 (1997) |
| 64 | Phom | 65,350 (0.008%) | 34,000 (1997) |
The following are SIL Ethnologue estimates:
| estimated native speakers | |
| Gaddi | 120,000 |
| Pardhi | 119,700 |
| Pardhan | 116,919 |
| Churahi | 110,552 |
| Sauria Paharia | 110,000 |
| Kullu | 109,000 |
| Dhanwar | 104,195 |
| Bhattiyali | 102,252 |
| Ladakhi | 102,000 |
| Dungra Bhil | 100,000 |
| Adiwasi Garasia | 100,000 |
| Rajput Garasia | 100,000 |
| Noiri | 100,000 |
| Jaunsari | 97,000 |
| Pnar | 84,000 |
| Andh | 80,000 |
| Mara | 79,000 (India: 47,000 Myanmar:32,000) |
| Mawchi | 76,000 |
| Bishnupriya | 75,000 |
| Duruwa | 75,000 |
| Lodhi: | 75,000 |
| Bhadrawahi | 69,000 |
| Eastern Magar | 67,691 |
| Balti | 67,000 |
| Korwa | 66,000 |
| Mahali | 66,000 |
| Rana Tharu | 64,000 |
| Paniya | 63,827 |
| Rathwi Bareli | 63,700 |
| Rawang | 60,536 |
| Sansi | 60,000 |
| Kachari | 59,000 |
| Bazigar | 58,236 |
| Agariya | 55,757 |
| Kanjari | 55,386 |
| Mal Paharia | 51,000 |
| Poumei Naga | 51,000 |
| Bodo Parja | 50,000 |
| Hmar | 50,000 |
| Juang | 50,000 |
| Desiya Oriya | 50,000 |
| Kinnauri | 48,778 |
| Moinba | 46,000 |
| Paite Chin | 45,000 |
| Tase Naga | 45,000 |
| Wancho Naga | 45,000 |
| Braj Bhasha | 44,000 |
| Buksa | 43,000 |
| Sangtam Naga | 39,000 |
| Lepcha | 38,000 |
| Kudmali | 37,000 |
| Yimchungru Naga | 37,000 |
| Gowli | 35,000 |
| Jennu Kurumba | 35,000 |
| Nocte Naga | 35,000 |
| Khirwar | 34,251 |
| Betta Kurumba | 32,000 |
| Chang Naga | 31,000 |
| Dangaura Tharu | 31,000 |
| Gadaba | 31,000 (Pottangi Ollar: 15,000; Bodo: 8,000; Mudhili: 8,000) |
| Zeme Naga | 30,800 |
| Naga Pidgin | 30,000 |
| Car Nicobarese | 30,000 |
| Kurichiya | 29,375 |
| Mzieme Naga | 29,000 |
| Chenchu | 28,754 |
| Sikkimese | 28,600 |
| Limbu | 28,000 |
| Majhwar | 27,958 |
| Vaiphei | 27,791 |
| Ravula | 27,413 |
| Western Panjabi | 27,386 |
| Deori | 26,900 |
| Khoibu Naga | 25,600 |
| Falam Chin | 25,367 |
| Kanikkaran | 25,000 |
| Khiamniungan Naga | 25,000 |
| Maram Naga | 25,000 |
| Tutsa Naga | 25,000 |
| Sirmauri | 25,000 |
| Arakanese | 24,000 |
| Chokri Naga | 24,000 |
| Sholaga | 24,000 |
| Thangal Naga | 23,600 |
| Kamar | 23,456 |
| Apatani | 23,000 |
| Koch | 23,000 |
| Khezha Naga | 23,000 |
| Tiwa | 23,000 |
| Southern Rengma Naga | 21,000 |
| Shina | 21,000 |
| Gowlan | 20,179 |
| Kumarbhag Paharia | 20,179 |
| Savara | 20,179 |
| Matu Chin | 20,000 |
| Liangmai Naga | 20,000 |
| Ooty, Nilgiris | 20,000 |
| Sakechep | 20,000 |
| Seraiki | 20,000 |
| Sherpa | 20,000 |
| Toto | 20,000 |
| Khowar | 19,200 |
| Biete | 19,000 |
| Hajong | 19,000 |
| Reli | 19,000 |
| Manna-Dora | 18,964 |
| Hrangkhol | 18,665 |
| Bhunjia | 18,601 |
| Persian | 18,000 |
| Mukha-Dora | 17,456 |
| Maring Naga | 17,361 |
| Pangwali | 17,000 |
| Asuri | 16,596 |
| Dhatki | 16,400 |
| Malaryan | 16,068 |
| Malavedan | 15,241 |
| Gangte | 15,100 |
| Konda-Dora | 15,000 |
| Korra Koraga | 15,000 |
| Mudu Koraga | 15,000 |
| Kalto (Nahali) | 15,000 |
| Northern Pashto | 15,000 |
| Ullatan | 14,846 |
| Eastern Tamang | 14,000 |
| Anal | 13,853 |
| Northern Rengma Naga | 13,000 |
| Pochuri Naga | 13,000 |
| Western Muria | 12,898 |
| Muthuvan | 12,219 |
| Zangskari | 12,006 |
| Mirgan | 12,000 |
| War | 12,000 |
| Kaikadi | 11,846 |
| Idu-Mishmi | 11,041 |
| Pattani | 11,000 |
| Changthang | 10,089 |
| Degaru | 10,089 |
| Eastern Muria | 10,089 |
| Far Western Muria | 10,089 |
| Andaman Creole Hindi | 10,000 |
| Palya Bareli | 10,000 |
| Birhor | 10,000 |
| Lamkang | 10,000 |
| Inpui Naga | 10,000 |
| Spiti Bhoti | 10,000 |
| Vaagri Booli | 10,000 |
Fewer than 10,000 speakers
- Zome: 9,112
- Bondo: 9,000
- Khamti: 8,879
- Bhalay: 8,672
- Digaro-Mishmi: 8,622
- Paliyan: 8,615
- Holiya: 8,000
- Rongpo: 7,500
- Malankuravan: 7,339
- Mannan: 7,289
- Pao: 7,223
- Simte: 7,150
- Nagarchal: 7,090
- Chiru: 7,000
- Miju-Mishmi: 6,500
- Kinnauri, Harijan: 6,331
- Sanskrit: 6,106
- Turi: 6,054
- Darlong: 6,000
- Kinnauri, Bhoti: 6,000
- Kurumba, Mullu: 6,000
- Urali: 5,843
- Sulung: 5,443
- Chamari: 5,324
- Bhatola: 5,045
- Nicobarese, Southern: 5,045
- Aiton: 5,000
- Balochi, Eastern: 5,000
- Kom: 5,000
- Phake: 5,000
- Katkari: 4,951
- Maldivian: 4,500
- Chin, Bawm: 4,439
- Manda: 4,036
- Gahri: 4,000
- Hruso: 4,000
- Kupia: 4,000
- Sajalong: 4,000
- Naga, Moyon: 3,700
- Naga, Chothe: 3,600
- Thulung: 3,313
- Naga, Monsang: 3,200
- Malapandaram: 3,147
- Sherdukpen: 3,100
- Gata': 3,055
- Brokskat: 3,000
- Dzongkha: 3,000
- Koireng: 3,000
- Kurmukar: 3,000
- Naga, Puimei: 3,000
- Singpho: 3,000
- Zyphe: 3,000
- Rawat: 2,926
- Byangsi: 2,829
- Teressa: 2,767
- Aimol: 2,643
- Kurumba, Alu: 2,500
- Stod Bhoti: 2,500
- Kudiya: 2,462
- Bijori: 2,391
- Kadar: 2,265
- Nicobarese, Central: 2,200
- Shumcho: 2,174
- Darmiya: 2,027
- Chaura: 2,018
- Kota: 2,000
- Nihali: 2,000
- Tinani: 2,000
- Jangshung: 1,990
- Chaudangsi: 1,825
- Na: 1,500
- Kanashi: 1,400
- Naga, Kharam: 1,400
- Bellari: 1,352
- Khamba: 1,333
- Merwari: 1,312
- Mru: 1,231
- Kinnauri, Chitkuli: 1,060
- Bugun: 1,046
- Rangkas: 1,014
- Lohar, Gade: 1,009
- Phudagi: 1,009
- Lhomi: 1,000
- Lisu: 1,000
- Yakha: 1,000
- Naga, Tarao: 870
- Bateri: 800
- Parenga: 767
- Korlai Creole Portuguese: 750
- Lohar, Lahul: 750
- Tukpa: 723
- Indo-Portuguese: 700
- Toda: 600
- Sunam: 558
- Naga, Purum: 503
- Chinali: 500
- Varhadi-Nagpuri: 463
- Dhimal: 450
- Allar: 350
- Ralte: 303
- Jad: 300
- Jarawa: 300
- Koda: 300
- Zakhring: 300
- Majhi: 246
- Aranadan: 236
- Pankhu: 234
- Shom Peng: 223
- Vishavan: 150
- Hinduri: 138
- Nahari: 108
- Sentinel: 101
- Mugom: 100
- Önge: 96
- Gurung, Western: 82
- Godwari: 61
- Khamyang: 50
- Great Andamanese: 25
See also
- Official languages of India
- Badaga _spoken by 20000 people in ooty
References
- ^ In 1991, there were 90,000,000 "users" of English. (Census of India's Indian Census, Issue 10, 2003, pp 8–10, (Feature: Languages of West Bengal in Census and Surveys, Bilingualism and Trilingualism) and Tropf, Herbert S. 2004. India and its Languages. Siemens AG, Munich.)
- ^ "Languages Spoken by More Than 10 Million People - Table - MSN Encarta". Archived from the original on 2009-10-31. http://www.webcitation.org/query?id=1257013011437361.
- ^ includes Western Hindi, Eastern Hindi, Bihari languages except for Maithili, Rajasthani languages and Pahari languages.
- ^ including Maithili
- ^ in 1991 subsumed under Hindi
- ^ includes populations in the parts of Kashmir administered by Pakistan.
- Data table of Census of India, 2001
- Language Maps from Central Institute of Indian Languages
- SCHEDULED LANGUAGES IN DESCENDING ORDER OF SPEAKERS' STRENGTH - 2001
- COMPARATIVE RANKING OF SCHEDULED LANGUAGES IN DESCENDING ORDER OF SPEAKERS' STRENGTH-1971, 1981, 1991 AND 2001
- Census data on Languages
External links
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