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Classical Language

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39 views

Classical Language

Uploaded by

AFK FTW
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Q.

Why is granting 'classical language' status important for preserving India's cultural and
linguistic heritage? Discuss the challenges in proving the original literary traditions of ancient
languages and the impact of changing the criteria for giving this status. (250 Words ,15 Marks)

Ans. Recently, Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali have been included in the Classical
language list (earlier-6) by the Union Government. In 2004, the Indian government began designating
languages as "Classical Languages" to acknowledge and preserve their ancient legacy.

Criteria for Classical Language Status


● Established Antiquity: The language must be 1500–2000 years old.
● Rich Literary Tradition: The language must have a body of ancient literature or texts.
● Originality and Independence: The language must be distinct from any other languages or
dialects that have influenced its development.

1
Importance of Classical Language Status
● Recognition of Antiquity: Classical language status signifies that the language is ancient and
has a history of 1500–2000 years, adding to the prestige of its community.
● Cultural and Linguistic Heritage: It preserves the unique traditions, literature, and heritage of
ancient languages, maintaining the integrity of India’s diverse cultural history.
● Government Funding and Promotion: Languages given classical status are entitled to
special grants and programs from the central government for their development, research,
and propagation in academic and cultural circles.
● Scholarships and Awards: The status allows for special academic chairs and scholarships,
promoting further research into the language and its contributions to Indian civilization.

Challenges in Proving Literary Traditions of Ancient Languages


● Scarcity of Written Records: Many ancient languages, especially those with oral traditions,
lack extensive written documentation, making it difficult to prove their antiquity.
● Fragmented Historical Evidence: The historical continuity of some languages is fragmented,
with missing links between ancient texts and modern usage. This complicates the efforts to
trace a clear lineage of the language.
● Lack of Standardized Scripts: Some languages have evolved or adopted multiple scripts
over time, leading to challenges in proving the authenticity and unity of literary traditions
across regions and eras.
● Overlapping Linguistic Traditions: In some cases, the influence of other languages or
dialects complicates the process of distinguishing one classical language’s original literary
tradition from another.

2
Changing the Criteria and Its Impact
● Potential Dilution of Standards: Loosening the criteria may lead to the inclusion of
languages that lack deep-rooted traditions or antiquity, diluting the significance of the
"classical" label.
● Cultural Politics: Changing the criteria for classical status can become a political tool,
leading to demands from different linguistic communities who seek recognition based on
identity rather than merit.
● Resource Allocation: Expanding the list of classical languages without stringent criteria
might strain the resources meant for the development of genuinely ancient languages.
● Loss of Focus: Over-expansion could lead to a loss of focus on languages that urgently need
preservation efforts, as administrative and financial resources become overstretched.

Other Provisions to Promote Language

● Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution: The Eighth Schedule lists 22 languages that are
recognized for their official promotion and development.
● Article 344(1): This article mandates the formation of a Commission by the President after 5
years from the Constitution’s commencement, to promote the use of Hindi across India.
● Article 351: It is the responsibility of the Union to promote the spread and enrichment of the
Hindi language, drawing upon other Indian languages for its development.
● Project ASMITA: Aimed at enhancing literary resources, this project plans to produce 22,000
books in Indian languages over the course of five years to enrich local literature and promote
regional languages.

3
● New Education Policy (NEP): The NEP envisions turning Sanskrit universities into
multi-disciplinary institutions, promoting Sanskrit alongside other disciplines for holistic
education.
● Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL): CIIL plays a key role in promoting classical
languages in India, focusing on Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam, and Odia, with various initiatives
for their preservation and growth.
● Central Sanskrit Universities Bill, 2019: This law grants central status to three Sanskrit
universities: Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan, Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Rashtriya Sanskrit
Vidyapeeth (Delhi), and Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeeth (Tirupati), thereby enhancing their
national importance and promoting Sanskrit learning.

Conclusion: Granting classical language status plays a critical role in preserving India’s rich
linguistic diversity and cultural heritage. However, the challenges in proving the authenticity and
antiquity of literary traditions demand rigorous scrutiny. While expanding the criteria may foster
inclusivity, it could also dilute the significance of the status. A balanced approach is needed to
ensure that the recognition remains prestigious and truly reflective of a language's historical and
cultural contributions.

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