Modern Indian language refers to the contemporary languages spoken in India, which have evolved from ancient Indian languages. These languages include Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, and many others that are widely spoken across the country today.
Detailed response
Modern Indian languages refer to the contemporary languages spoken in India today, which have evolved from ancient Indian languages. These languages play a significant role in the diverse linguistic landscape of the country and are widely spoken by millions of people across different regions. Some of the prominent modern Indian languages include Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Punjabi, Urdu, and many others.
One interesting fact about modern Indian languages is their rich history and the impact of cultural and historical influences on their development. These languages have roots in ancient languages such as Sanskrit and Pali, and over time, they have assimilated vocabulary, grammar, and nuances from various sources, including Persian, Arabic, English, and other regional languages.
According to Rabindranath Tagore, a renowned Indian poet, philosopher, and Nobel laureate:
“India’s cultural heritage is in its languages, each of which carries centuries of accumulated experiences. We have a duty to treat them as our valuable treasure and preserve them with utmost care.”
Here is a list of interesting facts about modern Indian languages:
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Hindi: Hindi is the most widely spoken language in India and is one of the official languages of the country. It originated from ancient dialects like Braj Bhasha and Khari Boli and has influenced many regional languages.
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Bengali: Bengali is predominantly spoken in the eastern region of India, specifically in West Bengal and parts of Bangladesh. It is one of the richest languages in terms of literature and intellectual contributions.
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Tamil: Tamil is one of the oldest surviving classical languages in the world. It has a rich literary tradition that dates back more than two millennia. Tamil is mainly spoken in the southern states of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and parts of Sri Lanka.
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Telugu: Telugu is the official language of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. It belongs to the Dravidian language family and has a vast body of literature, especially in poetry and drama.
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Marathi: Marathi is the official language of Maharashtra state, where Mumbai (formerly Bombay) is located. It has an extensive literary heritage and is known for its unique poetry style called “Ovi.”
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Gujarati: Gujarati is the official language of Gujarat state and is spoken by a significant population worldwide, especially in countries like the United Kingdom and the United States. It has a rich literary tradition and is known for its lyrical poetry.
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Punjabi: Punjabi is primarily spoken in the northwestern region of India, mainly in Punjab and parts of Pakistan. It is known for its vibrant and expressive culture and music, including Bhangra and Giddha.
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Urdu: Urdu is an Indo-Aryan language that has its roots in the medieval Persian spoken in the Indian subcontinent. It is the official language of Pakistan but also enjoys significant usage and influence in India.
While this list includes some major modern Indian languages, it is important to note that there are numerous other regional languages spoken across different states and communities, each with its unique characteristics and contributions.
Table:
| Language | Main Regions | Script |
| Hindi | North and Central India | Devanagari |
| Bengali | West Bengal, Bangladesh | Bengali script |
| Tamil | Tamil Nadu, Sri Lanka | Tamil script |
| Telugu | Andhra Pradesh, Telangana | Telugu script |
| Marathi | Maharashtra | Devanagari |
| Gujarati | Gujarat | Gujarati script |
| Punjabi | Punjab, Pakistan | Gurmukhi |
| Urdu | India, Pakistan, parts | Perso-Arabic |
| | of Afghanistan | script |
In conclusion, modern Indian languages encompass a wide range of languages spoken in India today, each with its unique history, cultural significance, and contributions. These languages are a testament to the diversity and richness of India’s linguistic heritage and continue to evolve and flourish in the contemporary world.
Video response to your question
This video explores the linguistic diversity of India, noting that it is difficult to determine the exact number of languages spoken in the country. The Indian census data reveals 19,569 different language names, grouped into 1,369 mother tongues, with only languages over 10,000 speakers officially recognized. India has two national languages, Hindi and English, but each state or territory can choose its own official language. The majority of languages belong to the Indo-Aryan or Dravidian language families. The top 10 most spoken languages in India are listed, and the features of Dravidian languages, such as their agglutinative nature and influence from Sanskrit, are discussed. The video also explores the influence of Sanskrit and Persian on Indo-Aryan languages and the presence of Sino-Tibetan and Austroasiatic language families in Northeastern India. With such linguistic diversity, Indians rely on exposure to other languages for mutual intelligibility, and English plays a significant role in facilitating communication.
Here are some additional responses to your query
Modern Indian language (MIL) is a term used in India to denote several Indian languages used in modern times, with or without official status.