Technology for Preservation of Indian Languages

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has developed Guidelines for providing assistance for establishment of Centre of Endangered Languages in Central Universities. Approval has been accorded to nine Central Universities for Establishment of Centres for Endangered Languages. An allocation of Rs.50.00 crore has been made for establishment of the Centres of Endangered Languages in the nine Central Universities by the UGC. The Government of India has initiated a Scheme known as Protection and Preservation of Endangered Languages of India. Under this Scheme, the Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL), Mysore works on protection, preservation and documentation of all the mother tongues/languages of India spoken by less than 10,000 people. Technology is an integral part of the preservation of endangered languages. Under this Scheme, dictionaries and basic grammars in all the endangered languages/mother tongues are prepared in digital format. The cultural and ethno-linguistic aspects of the languages/mother tongues and indigenous knowledge system of the communities are video-graphed and stored electronically for archival and retrieval purposes. A digital map with linguistic/cultural words with actual pronunciation for accounting variation in speech is also part of the scheme. In addition, talking dictionaries in the endangered languages/mother tongues are prepared with the help of technology.