With almost 1.45 billion people living in India, it’s the largest country in terms of population. However, it’s not only the top populated nation; it’s one of the top countries with the most spoken languages. It’s home to 121 languages and 270 mother tongues, according to Berlitz.
Did you know there is a 36% chance that two unknown Indian people will understand each other?
India has 22 official languages, and to connect meaningfully with your target audience, it’s essential to select the right language(s) and establish a localization strategy that resonates with specific regions and communities.
This guide is here to help you make informed choices about Indian languages and give you the tools to craft a successful entry plan.
The Official Languages Spoken in India
Hindi
Hindi is both the oldest and most spoken language in India, serving as the official language of the central government. Actually, 43.63% of the Indian population speaks it, spoken mainly in North and Central India, especially in Deli, Gujarat, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Hindi belongs to the Indo-Aryan language family, the largest language family in India. It’s characterized by its melodic sense, which means that intonation is an essential part of speaking it.
Hindi is listed as the official language of nine states, which is also known as the Hindi Belt, including:
- Himachal Pradesh
- Delhi
- Haryana
- Uttar Pradesh
- Madhya Pradesh
- Bihar
- Uttaranchal
- Jharkhand
- Rajasthan
- Chattisgarh
English
English has remained one of the official Indian languages since the British Raj, which lasted for nearly 100 years. While it’s not widely spoken in the general social life of the Indians, it’s common in the upper classes.
With over 1 billion English speakers in India, it’s considered the second-largest English-speaking country worldwide. Used primarily in business (especially in lucrative sectors, such as customer service and technology), education, and official documents, English can be your winning horse in India.
However, Indian English is a fascinating blend of Hindi and English, known as Hinglish. It’s not the standard English you might be familiar with, but it’s a unique and vibrant form of communication that adds a distinctive flavor to the Indian business landscape.
The Other 22 Recognized Languages Spoken in India
The Indian Constitution recognizes 22 languages as “scheduled languages,” granting them official status at the national level.
Indo-Aryan and Dravidian Languages
In India, languages belong to two major language families: Indo-Aryan and Dravidian language family.
The Indo-Aryan family, which includes Hindi and many other languages spoken in northern and central India, is the largest language family in the country. On the other hand, the Dravidian language family is prominent in southern India, encompassing languages like Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam.
Key Regional Languages
Understanding the critical regional languages in India is crucial for businesses targeting specific states. Each language carries its own cultural significance and serves as a primary communication medium for the local population.
- Bengali: Spoken in West Bengal and Tripura.
- Marathi: Spoken in Maharashtra.
- Tamil: Spoken in Tamil Nadu.
- Telugu: Spoken in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
- Gujarati: Spoken in Gujarat.
- Kannada: Spoken in Karnataka.
- Malayalam: Spoken in Kerala.
- Punjabi: Spoken in Punjab.
India’s Wealth of Languages
The 2011 Census of India revealed that there are a total of 270 mother tongues spoken by at least 10,000 individuals. Of these, 123 are categorized as Scheduled Languages, while the remaining 147 fall under Non-Scheduled Languages. Notably, among the non-scheduled languages are Gangte, which boasts around 16,000 speakers, and Bhili, spoken by approximately 10 million people.
- Language Families: The native languages of India are categorized into several language families, including Indo-Aryan, Dravidian, Austro-Asiatic, Tai-Kadai, and Sino-Tibetan.
- Tribal Languages: India is also home to numerous tribal languages, such as Abujmaria, Garo, Aaria and Tsangla, and Saurashtra. Many of the existing tribal languages are considered endangered, as they face the threat of extinction due to factors such as urbanization, migration, and the dominance of more widely spoken languages.
According to research conducted by the People’s Linguistic Survey of India, Majhi is only spoken by four people now.
Choosing the Right Languages To Enter the Indian Market
Choosing the Right Languages to Enter the Indian Market
Consumer behavior in India can shift dramatically from one region to another, making it crucial to define your target audience and understand their demographics and preferences in detail.
For example, while Hindi is widely spoken in northern states, southern regions are home to languages such as Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada. This diversity means a one-size-fits-all approach will likely fall short, underscoring the need for a tailored strategy that respects India’s cultural and linguistic variety.
One important factor to consider is the “digital opportunity” each language presents. This refers to the potential of a language for digital engagement and commerce, including metrics like the number of internet users who speak it, social media activity, online content creation, and the growth of e-commerce within those language communities.
AsiaLocalize Your Partner for Language Success in India
For over a decade, we’ve been working with thousands of reputable businesses to tap into the Indian market, building strategies and Hindi translation services customized only for their business goals.
With the help of our native translators and the most up-to-date technologies, we build culturally relevant messages that attract and engage your audience.
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