Revival Strategies for Endangered Dravidian Dialects in Telangana and Kerala

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.63345/ijrhs.net.v13.i9.3

Dr Shantanu Bindewari

IILM University

Greater Noida, UP, India

Abstract

Endangered Dravidian dialects, particularly Gadaba in Telangana and Malankuravan in Kerala, represent invaluable repositories of cultural knowledge, communal identity, and unique linguistic structures. Their gradual erosion, driven by socio-economic change, standard-language dominance, and generational language shift, poses an existential threat to the rich Dravidian linguistic mosaic. This study foregrounds a multidimensional framework for dialect revival, integrating ethnolinguistic documentation, community empowerment, educational incorporation, digital innovation, and policy intervention. A mixed-methods design was employed, including sociolinguistic surveys of 300 speakers stratified by age cohort and locale, in-depth focus group discussions with tribal elders and youth, and pilot educational modules co-created with local educators. Digital storytelling platforms and mobile-app prototypes were developed to assess youth engagement. Quantitative analyses reveal statistically significant improvements in dialect comprehension and usage frequency following immersive schooling and app-based interventions, with comprehension scores rising from a mean of 42.3 to 68.7 (p < .001). Qualitative data underscore heightened community motivation and cultural pride when speakers participate actively in material creation. Crucially, policy analysis indicates that formal recognition—even at the sub-state level—catalyzes resource allocation and institutional support. The convergence of bottom-up community initiatives with top-down policy measures emerges as critical: ethnolinguistic workshops foster intergenerational transmission, digital platforms sustain learner interest, and curricular integration legitimizes dialect use in formal domains. This research culminates in actionable guidelines for linguists, educators, policymakers, and community leaders: (1) document and archive dialect features with community co-ownership; (2) develop culturally grounded, activity-based curricula for primary education; (3) deploy smartphone applications with narrative and gamified elements; (4) advocate for dialectal recognition in state language policies; and (5) establish local language committees to oversee ongoing revitalization efforts.

Keywords

Endangered Dialects, Dravidian Languages, Revitalization, Community Engagement, Digital Media, Educational Policy

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