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Endangered Language and Multilingualism - Vanishing Voices

SHANTHAN NAIK. N.
UNIVERSITY OF MYSORE

It is true that, like the earth’s species, all our languages have inherent vitality and viability to survive and develop and respond to the needs of their communities. We cannot say in what part of the world man first came into existence, nor we know which was the first language spoken to. According some estimation there are more than five thousand languages have been spoken in allover the world. But the colonial impact was discarded them. British colonies swept out many minor languages in India. Lord Mecauly’s introduction of English education to India damaged the culture and languages of many minor tribes.
         Among the various indigenous people, Lambanies are one. They have their own culture, their own language, religion and style. Lambanies call their language “Gonboli” This language does not have script. Lambanies use other words in their language. Dr. Greyarson pointed out  “As for their language in many of the countries, they have lost their dialect and use the local languages of the non-lambani majority population in the areas of their settlement. But in the areas of their concentration, the lambani have successfully retained their language Banjari”. Where as, in non locality, where one family lives in the city, forcibly children were speaking the local languages which is a setback, now more than 80% of city dwellers forgotten the lambani language.

I myself experienced, it was only my family residing in All India Raido Quarters Karwar. When my elder son was borne he was quite shay, hesitates to mingle with the local children. A lady came out with compliant that do not teach him your language, teach him Kannada, he will pickup your language immediately. As she said we started speaking Kannada with him and neglect the Lambani language. Same way many new-civilized neglected the lambani language. Hence, the language is vanishing gradually. It is necessary to enlighten the elite class lambani to develop their language.
 
 
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