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Language Ecology in the Kumaun: The Value of Each and Relationships Among Them

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The Ecology of Language in Multilingual India

Part of the book series: Palgrave Studies in Minority Languages and Communities ((PSMLC))

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Abstract

This chapter addresses the value of multilingualism and the value of each of the relevant languages in the Kumaun, as expressed by the Kumauni people with whom I interacted. English is valued as international language, Hindi as national language, Sanskrit as root language, and Kumauni as “our” language. I explore the role of each language and the relationships among them, including the demand for English, the reasons given by young women for learning English, and the alternative perspective demonstrated at Lakshmi Ashram. Kumauni is valued in its place: “It should be kept alive. It should not be thrown out.” The importance of the sociocultural environment for language use choices, language acquisition, and language maintenance in community also emerged in my conversations in the Kumaun.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Portions of this analysis appear in Groff, C. (2013). Multilingual discourses and pedagogy in North India. In J.A. Shoba and F. Chimbutane (Eds.). Bilingual education and language policy in the global South (pp. 190–206). London: Routledge.

  2. 2.

    At the university level, this practice is also quite common. Classes are generally Hindi medium, but English words are used frequently. Sometimes students are allowed to do their assignments in either Hindi or English, and occasionally it is mixed (see Groff in press).

Bibliography

  • Groff, C. (in press). Language policy and language ideology: Ecological perspectives on language in the Himalayan foothills. Anthropology and Education Quarterly.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Leiden University, The Hague, The Netherlands

    Cynthia Groff

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  1. Cynthia Groff
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Groff, C. (2018). Language Ecology in the Kumaun: The Value of Each and Relationships Among Them. In: The Ecology of Language in Multilingual India. Palgrave Studies in Minority Languages and Communities. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-51961-0_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-51961-0_7

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  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-137-51960-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-137-51961-0

  • eBook Packages: Social SciencesSocial Sciences (R0)

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