Somaiya Vidyavihar University Launches Project To Document Linguistic Diversity Of Mumbai On Bharatiya Bhasha Utsav

Somaiya Vidyavihar University has launched a new project to document and preserve the linguistic diversity of Mumbai, in honor of the birth anniversary of Mahakavi Subramania Bharathi, celebrated during Bharatiya Bhasha Utsav. The project, titled the ‘Language Diversity Profile of Mumbai’, will be led by the University’s School of Civilisation Studies in collaboration with the K J Somaiya Institute of Dharma Studies.

Goal of the project

The goal of the project is to create a detailed linguistic map of Mumbai, a city known for its wide range of languages spoken by different communities. Ganesh Devy, Dean of the School of Civilisation Studies, emphasized the significance of the project, saying, “India’s rapid urbanization has threatened the survival of smaller languages, particularly those spoken by marginalized communities. Mumbai, with its linguistic diversity, is home to nearly 300 languages. Documenting how these languages coexist is vital not only for their preservation but also for enhancing intercultural understanding. This project aims to create a profile that reflects Mumbai’s multilingual nature and honors the legacy of Mahakavi Subramania Bharati, a polyglot who inspires us.”

Language extinction a global issue

V N Rajasekharan Pillai, Vice Chancellor of Somaiya Vidyavihar University, also expressed his support, pointing out the global importance of the project. “Language extinction is a global issue, and this project is an important step toward understanding the complexity of Mumbai’s linguistic environment. It is more than just documentation; it contributes to global knowledge on preserving linguistic diversity. The project will help us understand how languages interact and evolve in urban areas.”

The findings of the ‘Language Diversity Profile of Mumbai’ will be published next year during the next Bharatiya Bhasha Utsav, as a tribute to Mahakavi Subramania Bharati, who advocated for linguistic unity across India.