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Home/Anthropology/Mains PYQ/2018/Paper II/Indian Society, Caste & Civilization
UPSC MainsAnthropology Optional Paper II 2018 10 Marks Model Answer Available

Endangered Languages — 2018 Paper II

Question · 2018 · Paper II · 10 Marks

Endangered Languages

Model Answer

VAID ICS

Approach

  • Demand of Question: Explain what endangered languages are, why they decline and why their preservation is anthropologically important.
  • Structuring the Response: Define language endangerment, identify major causes and consequences, and suggest community-based preservation measures.
  • Key Dimensions to Cover: Language shift, intergenerational transmission, dominant languages, globalization, tribal languages, cultural knowledge and revitalization.

Model Answer

Introduction: An endangered language is one whose continued survival is threatened because its speakers increasingly shift to another language and children cease to acquire it as their mother tongue.

The most important indicator is:

Breakdown of intergenerational transmission → Language endangerment

Causes

Languages become endangered due to:

  • migration and urbanization;
  • dominance of regional or global languages;
  • formal schooling in non-native languages;
  • economic pressure;
  • stigmatization of minority speech;
  • displacement and population decline.

Small indigenous and tribal communities are particularly vulnerable.

Anthropological significance

Language contains culturally specific knowledge concerning:

  • kinship;
  • ecology;
  • medicinal plants;
  • oral history;
  • ritual;
  • cosmology.

Therefore:

Language loss → Loss of cultural memory and indigenous knowledge

The decline of several Andamanese languages illustrates the connection between demographic vulnerability and linguistic loss.

Preservation

Measures include:

  • mother-tongue-based education;
  • community language transmission;
  • dictionaries and grammars;
  • digital archives;
  • recording oral traditions;
  • community-controlled revitalization.

Conclusion: Language endangerment is not merely linguistic decline but a threat to cultural diversity, identity and accumulated indigenous knowledge. Effective revitalization must place the speech community at the centre.

2026 What are the major debates related to the concept of jajmani system? 2026 Does caste as a social category exist among the non-Hindu communities in India? Illustrate your answer with suitable examples. 2025 Trace the history and describe the methods of formulating the lists of OBCs, both at the State and National levels. 2025 Caste domination, factionalism and political power

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UPSC Anthropology Optional 2018 — Paper II

28 questions

5(c) Agrarian social structure

10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 5.1 Indian Village > Agrarian relations in Indian villages
2018Paper IIVillage India, Urbanisation & Social ChangeModel answer available

1(c) Endangered Languages

10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 2. Demographic profile of India > Linguistic elements and their distribution
2018Paper IIIndian Society, Caste & CivilizationModel answer available

5(e) Modernization

10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 5.3 Indigenous and exogenous processes of socio-cultural change > Modernization
2018Paper IIVillage India, Urbanisation & Social ChangeModel answer available

1(d) OBCs among non-Hindu communities

10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 7.1 Problems of exploitation and deprivation of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes
2018Paper IIIndian Society, Caste & CivilizationModel answer available

1(b) Philosophy behind Purusharthas

10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 3.1 Structure and nature of traditional Indian social system > Purushartha
2018Paper IIIndian Society, Caste & CivilizationModel answer available

5(b) Tribe and scheduled tribe

10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 6.1 Tribal situation in India > Definition and scheduling of tribes
2018Paper IITribal IndiaModel answer available

5(a) Youth dormitory as an institution

10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 6.1 Tribal situation in India > Social institutions of tribal societies
2018Paper IITribal IndiaModel answer available