Have you ever encountered the unique languages spoken in remote regions or taken an interest in their existence and the risk of them fading away?

When I was asked this question, it struck a deep chord with me. I immediately began researching and learning about these unfamiliar languages that I had never heard of before. Having lived in a metropolitan city for ages, my world always revolved around widely spoken languages like Hindi and Marathi. The idea of lesser-known dialects and their significance had never once crossed my mind. But through research and reading, I came to know that these are not mere words but they also widely speak about the region's rich culture and heritage.

We all know globalization has gradually become a part of our lives without us realizing it. The 21st century has witnessed many changes, like sociocultural and economic changes, political suppression, overcrowding, unemployment, poverty, increased crime, pollution, diseases, isolation, etc.

Amid these transformations, the loss of languages, particularly indigenous ones, has become a pressing concern. Linguistic extinction is not just a loss of words but also a loss of identity, history, and heritage. Languages serve as bridges between generations, keeping cultural traditions alive. But today, due to the absence of intergenerational transfer, many languages are being pushed towards extinction.

This article sheds light on the endangered languages, especially the tribal people of India, Vietnam and the Philippines and the urgent need for preservation.

India’s Endangered Dialects/Lingo

Arunachal Pradesh, a northeastern state of India, is renowned for its remarkable linguistic diversity, with more than 100 distinct languages spoken by various ethnic communities. However, this rich heritage faces a serious threat, as nearly all these languages are at some stage of endangerment. The loss of these languages signifies more than just the disappearance of words; it represents the erosion of unique cultural identities, histories, and knowledge systems intricately tied to them.

Some of the most endangered languages in Arunachal Pradesh include:

Tangam

A Tibeto-Burban language, spoken by tribes settled in hilly regions of the far eastern Himalayas, is on the brink of extinction, along with their rich folklore, songs, and rituals that once took centre stage. Reports reveal that the community’s population was estimated to be 2000 until 2015, but this number has since dwindled to just 253, residing in a village known as Kugging. Many have transitioned to speaking Hindi and even English, leaving behind their rich culture.

Origin

• A Tibeto-Burman language spoken by tribes in the far eastern Himalayas.
• Current Speakers Only 253 people, residing in Kugging village.
• Cultural Significance Includes rich folklore, songs, and rituals now at risk of disappearing.
• Cause of Decline Transition to Hindi and English.

Meyor

Buddhists living in Walong and Kibithoo, Anjaw district – Eastern Arunachal Pradesh, traditionally speak the Zakhring, also referred to as the Meyor language, which belongs to the Tibeto-Burman language family. However, the language is on the verge of disappearing, with only a handful of speakers (precisely a little above 1000 people) left as the community transitions to Hindi and English.

Origin

• Spoken by Buddhists in Walong and Kibithoo, Anjaw district.
• Current Speakers Slightly over 1,000.
• Cultural Significance Folk songs, and dances.
• Cause of Decline Younger generations adopting Hindi and English.

Hill Miri

Hill Miri, also known as Nyishi, Kamle, or Sarak, are a group of indigenous tribes primarily living in the mountain regions on either side of the lower Kamla River and the Simmi River. These tribes are known for their agricultural skills, vibrant festivals, and deep connection with the natural environment. Around 10,000 people in the hilly areas of central Arunachal Pradesh communicate in Hill Miri. Though their language plays a crucial role in their identity, the younger generations, coming in contact with the outside world, prefer to speak Hindi. Hence, preserving their original dialect became difficult.

Origin

The Hill Miris are part of the same ethnic stock as the Adis, Nishis, and Apatanis. They are believed to have migrated from North-west China to Arunachal Pradesh.

• Current Speakers Around 10000 people.
• Cultural Significance mythology, festivals, and traditional attire.
• Cause of Decline Younger generations, exposed to the outside world, prefer to speak Hindi.

Vietnam’s Endangered Dialects

Languages are the roots of our culture, reflecting its beauty and uniqueness. But the bitter truth is that this is no longer the case. People are trying to learn widely spoken languages, often neglecting the importance of their mother tongues.

In Vietnam, Indigenous People account for about 14.7% of the country’s total population of about 96 million, with 54 recognized ethnic groups and 53 minority groups. Therefore, the Government has termed them “ethnic minorities” instead of indigenous people. These groups spoke numerous ancestral languages, but migration, relocation, and the dominance of Vietnamese marginalized many of these tongues.

Arem

One such endangered language is Arem, a nearly extinct language of Vietnam and Laos. The Arem people were made to leave their forest homes and move to other locations set by the Government of Vietnam, resulting in fewer than 100 people worldwide speaking this language. The population of Arem was only 53 people in 1960, with 30 men and 23 women.

Origin

• Spoken by the Arem people in Vietnam and Laos.
• Current Speakers, Fewer than 100 people worldwide speak Arem.
• Cultural Significance Folklore, songs, and rituals, reflect their deep connection with nature and their ancestral history.
• Cause of Decline Forced relocation, government policies promoting assimilation, the dominance of Vietnamese, the loss of intergenerational transmission and cultural displacement.

By 1999, the number rose to 102. Out of the 102 speakers, only 25% of the population spoke the Arem language regularly. The Arem are known to have a distinct language, which is part of the Viet-Muong branch of the Mon-Khmer language family. However, this language is also shrinking, and only some seniors, as few as twenty people, speak fluently.

Chrau

Another language that is steadily disappearing is Chrau, also known as Jro, Ro, Tamun, Charuo, Choro, and Chíoro, a south Bahnaric language spoken by nearly 15000 people. Most people who converse in Chrau are from the Southern parts of Vietnam, such as Bien Hoa and Binh Tuy. As the Vietnamese migrated and settled in the Chrau area, the Chrau language slowly altered into Vietnamese, leaving the language moving towards the edge of its extinction. Sadly, the younger generations of the ethnic groups speak widely spoken languages, killing their heritage and losing their roots.

Origin

• Spoken by the Chrau people in southern parts of Vietnam, such as Bien Hoa and Binh Tuy.
• Current Speakers Nearly 15,000 people speak Chrau, but the language is steadily disappearing.
• Cultural Significance Music, Dance, Agriculture practices, folklore, spiritual beliefs.
• Cause of Decline Migration and settlement, Dominance of Vietnamese.

Philippines Endangered Dialects

Remontado

This is also known as Hatang-Kayi and is the most critically endangered language. This language was spoken throughout Rizal and Quezon northeast of Manila. But speakers reduced to a great extent when they lost their lowland territory and most of the mountainous area. Today, the language survives in just five small rural communities where only a group of people speak their ancestral language, while the majority of them, having intermarried with Tagalogs, Dumagets, Ilokanos, or Aklanons, no one speaks with their children. As a result, only a few members above 80 years of age speak the language.

Origin

• Traditionally spoken in the regions of Rizal and Quezon, northeast of Manila.
• Current Speakers Only a few elderly speakers, mostly above 80 years of age, still use the language.
• Cultural Significance Traditional knowledge, history, and practices unique to the area.
• Cause of Decline The loss of lowland and mountainous territories, resulting the speakers to relocate, intermarriage etc.

Kapampangan

Kapampangan, is also known as Pampango. The Kapampangan people are the sixth largest ethno-linguistic group in the Philippines, living in the territory of Pampanga and some adjoining places. Though there are around two million speakers of this language, the language is on the brink of becoming moribund and a serious threat to the culture and identity, especially in the urban areas, due to the growing number of parents who no longer teach or pass down their language to the next generation, leaving younger people unable to speak or understand their ancestral tongue. These languages are replaced by words borrowed from the dominant language, Tagalog.

Sadly, even schools have banned the use of this speech. Students are penalized if they attempt to speak the language, leading to a sharp decline in five years.

Origin

• Spoken by the Kapampangan people, the sixth largest ethno-linguistic group in the Philippines, primarily in the Pampanga region and surrounding areas.
• Current Speakers Approximately two million speakers of Kapampangan.
• Cultural Significance Handicrafts, weaving, arts, dance and unique outfits.
• Cause of Decline Urbanization, banned from schools, language shift.

Inagta Alabat

Nearly extinct - Aeta language, spoken by fewer than ten members of the Agta community in the Philippines and less than 13 people worldwide. There are 19 nuclear families on Alabat Island, and a few can speak the language fluently. At present, only four elderly Agta remain in the Lopez-Guinayangan area who can communicate in Inagta without any interference from Manide. Successors are affected by other cultures and dominant languages, leaving behind their original speech.

Origin

• Spoken by the Agta community (also known as Aeta) on Alabat Island in the Philippines.
• Current Speakers Fewer than 10 speakers, with less than 13 speakers worldwide.
• Cultural Significance Ancestral beliefs and spirituality, clothes made of leaves and animal skin, basket weaving, handicrafts and dance.
• Cause of Decline Influence of other cultures, urbanization, and the dominance of more widely spoken languages.

Many languages are advancing towards extinction, like the last leaves on the tree. Linguistic minorities around the world are dwindling and losing their features due to ruling and more distinguished languages, leading to the gradual death of an endangered language. Moreover, the ill fate of these minority languages is due to social and cultural disruptions. It is, therefore, crucial to actively raise awareness to preserve these dying languages and bring them back to the limelight.

While UNESCO plays a significant role in bringing global awareness about endangered languages and their cultures, it is equally important for us to take the initiative as well to promote them. Those who love to travel should visit regions where indigenous tribes reside and learn about their languages, a meaningful way to connect with and preserve these traditions. Another way to keep the languages alive is to share them on social media. This will raise awareness among youth and inspire projects focused on language and cultural preservation.

In addition, inviting speakers to share their insights on online platforms, chat shows, or even television programs can raise awareness and spark greater interest in safeguarding these linguistic and cultural treasures. These small yet powerful actions can contribute significantly to the preservation of endangered languages. Books, too, can serve as invaluable tools to store these dialects—both spoken and written—for future generations.

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