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. [edit] 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." 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%) [edit] List 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%. [edit] 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). Table: Ordered by number of native speakers | 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 – discuss][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. [edit] 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% | [edit] 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 | | Maldivian or Mahl | 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 | [edit] 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
- 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
[edit] See also [edit] 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.
[edit] External links |
