Devdutt Pattanaik On Understanding Language & Culture: Art & Culture EP14 | UPSC Essentials

Summary

This video script delves into the rich tapestry of Indian languages, exploring their historical evolution and cultural significance. It discusses the Indo-Aryan and Dravidian language families, the emergence of Urdu influenced by Persian during British rule, and the concept of classical languages in India. The script also addresses the importance of official languages, the political implications of language choice, and the fascinating phenomenon of language assimilation, such as the development of pidgin and creole languages for communication among diverse groups. The discussion highlights the dynamic nature of language in reflecting India's cultural diversity and its continuous evolution.

Takeaways

• 📚 The Urdu language evolved significantly during the 19th century with the influence of Persian words, particularly by poets like Mirza Raleigh, as the Mughal Empire declined.
• 🌐 Urdu was originally a common language of soldiers but became associated with Muslims during the partition, leading to its perception as a 'Muslim language'.
• 🏰 The Hindi language emerged with a strong Sanskrit influence, distinguishing it from Urdu which has a Persian influence, both evolving from the older Hindavi language.
• 🌍 India's linguistic diversity is characterized by different language families including Indo-Aryan, Dravidian, Magadhi, Sino-Tibetan, and Austro-Asiatic languages.
• 📜 Classical languages in India, such as Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, Telugu, and Odia, have a rich literary history of over a thousand years and are protected and promoted by the government.
• 🏛 The concept of an 'official language' in India refers to the language used by the government and legal courts, with English being the official language at the central level and Hindi in Delhi, while states have their own official languages.
• 🌟 The term 'national language' does not apply to India as no single language is spoken by all citizens, reflecting the country's linguistic diversity.
• 🔠 The script discusses the emergence of languages like Hindi and Urdu from older dialects and how they were shaped by historical events and political influences.
• 🤝 The assimilation of languages occurs when different linguistic groups interact, leading to the creation of pidgin or creole languages that facilitate communication, such as Nagamese in Northeast India.
• 📝 The script highlights the importance of understanding and respecting the dynamic nature of languages and their evolution over time in response to social and political changes.
• ✍️ The episode concludes with a point to ponder on the emergence and benefits of writing, and the cultural preference of Indians for verbal communication over written.

Q & A

What significant linguistic change occurred in Urdu during the 19th century?

During the 19th century, when the British were entering India and the Mughal Empire was ending, poets like Mirza Raleigh began incorporating a lot of Persian words into Urdu. This led to Urdu, which was originally the language of common soldiers, gaining more Persian influence.

How did the partition of India affect the perception of the Urdu language?

During the partition, when Hindus and Muslims were in conflict, Urdu was identified as a Muslim language because it was used by common soldiers to communicate. This perception led to Hindi, with its strong Sanskrit influence, being seen as a Hindu language.

What are the two major language families in India?

The two major language families in India are Indo-Aryan languages, which are derived from Sanskrit and are dominant mostly in the northern part of India, and Dravidian languages, which are the second largest group and are predominantly spoken in the southern part of India.

What is the significance of being classified as a 'classical language' in India?

A classical language in India is one that has existed for over a thousand years, is an original language, has a revered body of literature, and is still spoken today. The government makes efforts to protect these languages, with the University Grants Commission providing funds for their documentation, study, and preservation.

What is the difference between an 'official language' and a 'national language' in India?

India does not have a single 'national language' as its diversity means that different regions have their own languages. An 'official language' is the language of government and legal courts. While Hindi is used at the central level, English remains the official language for many purposes, and each state has its own official language.

What is the origin of the Hindi language?

Hindi originates from an older language called Hindavi, which was spoken in the region now known as Haryana. It was influenced by the arrival of Turks and Afghans who established the Delhi Sultanate, leading to the emergence of a common language among soldiers and people from different regions of India.

Why is the Urdu language significant in the history of India's languages?

Urdu became significant as it emerged as a military language, or the language of the barracks, during the Delhi Sultanate and Mughal Empire periods. It was a common language for soldiers from various regions and later incorporated Persian influences, becoming a distinct language.

What is the concept of 'assimilation of languages' as discussed in the script?

Assimilation of languages refers to the process where different languages mix and create a common language for communication between people who do not share a common language. This can lead to the creation of pidgin or creole languages, which are used when strangers meet and need to communicate.

Can you provide an example of language assimilation from the script?

An example given in the script is Nagamese, a mixture of Assamese and local dialects used in the northeastern part of India, particularly among the Seven Sisters states, to facilitate communication between different tribes and communities.

What is the importance of understanding language families and their evolution in India?

Understanding language families and their evolution is crucial for appreciating India's linguistic diversity and history. It helps in recognizing the cultural and historical contexts that have shaped these languages and their interrelationships.

What is the point to ponder mentioned at the end of the script?

The point to ponder is about the emergence of writing and its benefits, questioning why Indians prefer speaking over writing, and encouraging reflection on the role and importance of writing in communication.