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== | == Background == | ||
The Constitution of India specifies the official language of the Union is Hindi, written in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devanagari Devanagari] script, and English. Originally, English was to be an official language only until 1962. The [https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Official_Languages_Act,_1963 1963 Official Languages Act] allows English to continue as an official language until changed by legislation. Each state, union territory, and autonomous region has the right to designate official languages for that area. | |||
The | Language is diverse in India. Their schools teach 58 different languages. The nation has newspapers in 87 languages, radio programs broadcast in 71 languages, and films are produced in 15 different languages. This diversity arises from the number of separate linguistic communities on the Indian subcontinent, each of which share a common language and culture. The Constitution lists 22 ''scheduled'' languages, which are recognized by the government. There are also six ''classical'' languages, which have strong literary traditions and a large body of written literature. The 2001 census of India identified 122 major languages spoken in the country. | ||
Some Indian languages have a long literary history - Sanskrit literature is more than 5,000 years old and Tamil 3,000. India also has some languages that do not have written forms. There are 18 officially recognized languages in India (Konkani, Manipuri and Nepali were added in 1992) and each has produced a literature of great vitality and richness. | Some Indian languages have a long literary history - Sanskrit literature is more than 5,000 years old and Tamil 3,000. India also has some languages that do not have written forms. There are 18 officially recognized languages in India (Konkani, Manipuri and Nepali were added in 1992) and each has produced a literature of great vitality and richness. | ||
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Two related developments helped the process of change. One was the introduction of the printing press by Christian missionaries (scribes had hand-copied texts in earlier times). The other development was the birth of Indian journalism. The spread of Western-style education helped produce a new readership for the new literature. Writers expressed ideas of social reform, and laid great emphasis on realism. | Two related developments helped the process of change. One was the introduction of the printing press by Christian missionaries (scribes had hand-copied texts in earlier times). The other development was the birth of Indian journalism. The spread of Western-style education helped produce a new readership for the new literature. Writers expressed ideas of social reform, and laid great emphasis on realism. | ||
== Resources == | |||
===Hindi | === Hindi === | ||
*[http://www.lexilogos.com/english/hindi_dictionary.htm Online Hindi language resources] | *[http://www.lexilogos.com/english/hindi_dictionary.htm Online Hindi language resources] | ||
*[https://www.omniglot.com/writing/hindi.htm Hindi Script] | *[https://www.omniglot.com/writing/hindi.htm Hindi Script] | ||
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*[http://mylanguages.org/learn_hindi.php Hindi basics and grammar] | *[http://mylanguages.org/learn_hindi.php Hindi basics and grammar] | ||
*[http://aboutworldlanguages.com/hindi Hindi language overview] | *[http://aboutworldlanguages.com/hindi Hindi language overview] | ||
=== Bengali === | |||
===Bengali | |||
*[http://www.lexilogos.com/english/bengali_dictionary.htm Bengali language resources] | *[http://www.lexilogos.com/english/bengali_dictionary.htm Bengali language resources] | ||
*[http://aboutworldlanguages.com/bengali Bengali language overview] | *[http://aboutworldlanguages.com/bengali Bengali language overview] | ||