Several languages on verge of extinction due to climate change
According to a study conducted by Devina Krishna, a teacher at Patna Women's College, climate change and environmental degradation have led to language loss in various parts of the state over the years. The study entitled 'An analysis of vulnerable languages of Bihar from ecological linguistic perspective' has been published in a recent issue of an international journal 'Jurnal Gramatika'.
The study indicates that some 197 languages are in various stages of endangerment in our country.
In Bihar, a number of languages, including Angika, Bajjika, Surajpuri, and Tharu, are facing various levels of endangerment. As the state is plagued by recurrent calamities like floods, droughts, cyclones, lightning strikes and earthquakes, its linguistic fabric grapples with formidable challenges. These environmental adversities not only imperil human lives but also jeopardize the survival of indigenous languages.
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With 76% of the population of North Bihar living under the recurring threat of floods, including loss of human lives, livestock and assets worth crores of rupees, the state has been witnessing the disappearance of languages like Angika and Bajjika which are spoken by the affected communities, creating a linguistic ecological crisis.
Frequent flooding and erratic rainfall patterns affect agriculture, human health and the environment.
These factors have been affecting local farmers who are migrating to urban areas. The young generation of Angika and Bajjika have moved to places out of their native regions and they prefer to speak Hindi and English instead of their native languages. Most of them are moving out of their belts due to extremes of climatic conditions.
In addition to Bajjika and Angika, languages like Tharu and Surjapuri are also facing extinction.
Tharu-speaking communities are vulnerable to climate change with increased temperatures and altered precipitation patterns. Climate change has reduced crop yields leading to economic pressures and their ability to maintain traditional practices and language. Kishanganj, the chief Surjapuri-speaking belt experiences alternations in rainfall patterns, increased heat waves and deforestation.
The study further points out that with the loss of language, traditional knowledge is also lost. The essence of folk songs has been completely lost due to the disappearance of indigenous languages. Words like 'chiriya' (bird) and 'gacch' (tree) in Angika are less commonly used as climate change is contributing to the loss of environmental vocabulary, it adds.
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