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    Classical Language: Granted Classical Language Status To Five Languages: Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali

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    Classical Language: Granted Classical Language Status To Five Languages: Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali

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    romigurjar
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    Classical Language: Granted Classical Language Status To Five Languages: Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali

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    romigurjar

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    classical language

    Why in News

    • The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, granted


    classical
    language status to five languages: Marathi, Pali, Prakrit,
    Assamese, and Bengali.
    • This move is seen as an effort to preserve and promote India’s linguistic heritage,
    with the announcement coming just weeks before the Maharashtra Assembly
    elections.

    Historical Context and Criteria for Classical Language Status

    • Introduction of Classical Language Category:

    o The Government of India established the "Classical Languages" category on


    October 12, 2004, with Tamil being the first language to receive this status.

    o Later, Sanskrit (2005), Kannada and Telugu (2008), Malayalam (2013), and
    Odia (2014) were added.

    • Criteria for Classical Language Status:

    o High antiquity of its early texts or recorded history over a period of 1,500-
    2,000 years.

    o Presence of a significant body of ancient literature/texts valued by


    generations of speakers.

    o An original literary tradition not borrowed from other communities.

    o A historical disconnect between the classical language and its modern forms
    or offshoots.

    Developments Leading to the Decision

    • Marathi Proposal:

    o The Maharashtra Government proposed classical language status for Marathi


    in 2013.

    o After review by the Linguistic Experts Committee (LEC), additional proposals


    were considered from Bihar, Assam, and West Bengal for Pali, Prakrit,
    Assamese, and Bengali.

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    • Recent Changes in Criteria (July 2024):

    o On July 25, 2024, the LEC revised the criteria for classical language status,
    with Sahitya Akademi designated as the nodal agency.

    o New Criteria:

    ▪ High antiquity over 1,500-2,000 years.

    ▪ Ancient literature/texts valued as heritage by generations.

    ▪ Inclusion of prose, poetry, epigraphical, and inscriptional evidence.

    ▪ Distinct from its modern forms or showing a historical discontinuity.

    Implications of Classical Language Status

    • Cultural and Academic Promotion:

    o This status is aimed at preserving linguistic heritage and encouraging


    scholarly research.

    • Employment Opportunities:

    o Expands jobs in academics, research, archiving, translation, publishing, and


    digital media.

    • Support Measures:

    o Government provides two annual international awards for excellence in


    classical languages.

    o Establishment of Centers of Excellence for each classical language.

    University Grants Commission (UGC) is encouraged to create "Professional Chairs" in central


    universities to advance research and education in classical languages.

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