India is a country known for its unity in diversity, whether in terms of religion, culture, or the languages spoken. Speaking of languages, they are one of the aspects that captivate travelers exploring this vibrant country. India officially recognizes nearly 22 languages, but over 100 languages are spoken across the nation. Hindi is the most widely spoken language, followed by English. However, English is primarily used as a medium of communication among the middle and upper-middle classes, while Hindi is spoken across all social strata, from the poor to the rich.
Each state in India has its own language, and below are some of the most commonly spoken languages that you should be aware of if you're planning to visit the country soon.
# Hindi:Hindi is undoubtedly one of the most widely spoken languages across India. It serves as a common mode of communication for many Indians. While English is also an official language, it is mainly used for government affairs. Hindi, on the other hand, is spoken by approximately 551 million people. From Delhi to Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, and Maharashtra, Hindi is the first language for people in almost every state.
Rooted in ancient Sanskrit, around 60% of Indians speak and write in Hindi. As the primary language of India, it is a compulsory subject in most schools. Hindi, an Indo-Aryan language, is predominantly spoken in northern India.
# Marathi:Marathi is spoken by more than 72 million people. It is considered one of the easiest languages to understand and learn, especially since it shares many similarities with Hindi. Spoken mostly in Maharashtra and its neighboring states, Marathi is the primary language in Maharashtra. With a history of over 2,500 years, it holds deep cultural significance in the region.
# Bengali:Around 83 million people in India speak Bengali, primarily in West Bengal. Although Bengali and Hindi are distinct languages, both have roots in Sanskrit, which makes their grammar structure somewhat similar. Known as the poetic language, Bengali is also the language in which India's national anthem was first written. Bengali is the official language of Bangladesh, and its cultural influence continues in parts of India, particularly in West Bengal and Kolkata.
# Urdu:Urdu, spoken by approximately 51 million people, is popular, especially in Jammu and Kashmir, and is considered a sister language to Hindi. While understanding Urdu may not be too difficult, its unique vocabulary and accent can be challenging. Urdu is also the official language of Pakistan and plays a significant role in North Indian poetry and music.
# Telugu:With more than 71 million speakers, Telugu is predominantly spoken in the Indian states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. It belongs to the Dravidian language family and is the most spoken South Indian language. Telugu shares many words with Marathi, making it easier to understand, even though speaking it may be more complex. It ranks as the fourth most spoken language in India.
# Oriya:Oriya, spoken by around 27 million people, is recognized as one of India's official languages. It is mainly spoken in parts of Jharkhand, Bengal, and Andhra Pradesh. While it has fewer speakers than some other languages, Oriya is an important regional language and became an official language in 2011.
# Tamil:Tamil is spoken by over 67 million people, primarily in Tamil Nadu. As one of the oldest languages still in use today, Tamil is a classical language with roots in ancient history. It is not only spoken in India but also in Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and Singapore. If you visit Tamil Nadu, knowing Tamil or English will be essential, as these are the primary languages spoken.
# Gujarati:With over 55 million speakers, Gujarati is considered one of the easier Indian languages to learn, with many words similar to Sanskrit and Hindi. Gujarati is widely spoken in Gujarat, and the state's people are known for their entrepreneurial spirit. The renowned Mahatma Gandhi was a native Gujarati speaker and played a key role in promoting Gujarati literature. In Gujarat, Gujarati is the primary language, often taking precedence over Hindi.
# Malayalam:Spoken by around 38 million people, Malayalam is predominantly spoken in Kerala, where it serves as a major language of communication. Kerala is known for having one of the highest literacy rates in India. Malayali speakers are also found in neighboring states and abroad.
# Kannada:With over 44 million speakers, Kannada is another South Indian Dravidian language. It is one of the oldest surviving languages and is spoken mainly in Karnataka. Kannada has over 20 dialects and is widely used for communication across the state.
In addition to these languages, other scheduled languages such as Konkani from Goa, Assamese from Assam, Mizo from Mizoram, Kashmiri from Kashmir, and Manipuri are also widely spoken in their respective regions.