Odisha's Tribal Languages Face Extinction Crisis

Odisha stands as one of India's richest tribal linguistic landscapes, home to 72 dialects grouped into 38 languages spoken by Scheduled Tribe communities. However, experts warn that many languages, particularly those of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), teeter on the brink of extinction.

Only six tribal languages - Santali, Ho, Saora, Mundari, Bhumij, and Kui - possess written scripts, with Santali alone included in the Constitution's Eighth Schedule. Of Odisha's 13 PVTGs, three groups have already shifted to Odia. Languages of the Mankidias, Kutia Kondhs, Didayis, and Chuktia Bhunjias are critically endangered, while Saora, Bonda, Dongria Kondh, and Birhor languages face endangerment.

Despite Odisha pioneering *Multi-Lingual Education* (MLE) initiatives with learning materials, implementation struggles persist. Tribal language expert AB Ota recommends recruiting native-speaking teachers and developing culturally relevant materials including wall paintings and multilingual pictorial books. The shortage of proficient teachers remains critical, as short-term training programs cannot replace native speakers in transmitting linguistic heritage to younger generations.