There are at least 10 endangered languages in Karnataka with many more unrecorded tongues hurtling towards oblivion. This is the finding of a language survey, which says the number of endangered tribal tongues is only growing.

The nationwide survey conducted by the People’s Linguistic Survey of India (PLSI) has identified the 10 in the red in Karnataka as Koraga, Irula, Soliga, Badaga, Yerava, Gouli, Bettakuruba, Jenukuruba, Siddi and Hakki Pikki.

According to the Census, Karnataka has 50 tribal languages, besides the speakers of 22 scheduled ones. In all, at least 72 languages are spoken in the state. The survey has examined and recorded 42 of the languages.

Karnataka is one of the few states with a variety of tongues. For instance, Varli language speakers, settled in Bijapur and Belgaum, number just 165, while Chenchu speakers, settled in Gulbarga and Yadgir districts account for only 470. Dakkhani Urdu took birth in Karnataka after the Mughals shifted their capital from Delhi to Devagiri. Experts vouch for the influence of Dakkhani Urdu on Sufism.

Linguists express concern that loss of a language is the loss of a knowledge system, life system and ecology. “All tribal languages are endangered. Due to the constraints, we couldn’t conduct field studies and record the status of all languages in the state. For instance, we have only recorded the grammatical structure of seven minority languages – Tulu, Kodava, Konkani, Dakkhani, Banjara, Sanketi and Beary. There are others like Tibetan,” said Prof HM Maheshwaraiah of Karnatak University, who is the editor of the volume on the languages of Karnataka.