Phase 1 of survey to map Himalayan languages to begin soon

VADODARA: The first phase of the ambitious project of People's Linguistic Survey of India (PLSI) will begin later this month, in which a survey on Himalayan languages and of central tribal belt of India will be carried out. The decision to launch PLSI initiative was taken by city-based NGO Bhasha Research and Publication Centre (BRPC) at the national meet 'Bhasha Confluence' held in the city.

This survey will recreate history after 100 years. George Abraham Grierson had produced a 12-volume Linguistic Survey of India (1903-1923) material for which was collected in the last decade of the 19th century. In fact, the results of PLSI will be in juxtaposition to Grierson's survey.

Even in 2007, the Linguistic Survey of India was planned and touted as the biggest ever to be conducted in the world. Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL) in Mysore was to conduct it, but the exercise was abandoned.

Now, finally, BRPC is going to undertake this initiative to ensure that each and every language in the country is documented. "It was during the Bhasha Confluence that all the delegates and representatives from across the country expressed the need to have a linguistic survey. Many felt that their language was not represented well. As a solution, we volunteered to conduct the survey where the speaker of the language will furnish the details," said founder trustee of BRPC professor Ganesh Devy.

The survey will not be an official exercise but a people's endeavour and will also look at India's historical, social, political and cultural aspects besides linguistics. "We have prepared an outline of questions and also invited scholars
and cultural activists to contribute to the survey. By April 15, we will finalise the names of contributing authors. The survey documents will be scrutinised and finalised by a team of professional linguists at a workshop to be held at Keylong Museum at Himlok. The volume of the survey report will be published by July end," added Devy.

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References:

Chaturved, Darshana. 2010. "Phase 1 of survey to map Himalayan languages to begin soon".Times of India. Posted: April 4, 2010. Available online: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/5760838.cms