Onlykashmir.in News Desk
Washington: The Kashmiri language, used by more than 7 million Kashmir Valley residents and diaspora communities, is under serious threat of extinction from the prevalence of other languages such as Urdu and English.
To address this crisis, the United States Library of Congress has launched efforts to document and preserve the Kashmiri language to protect endangered languages globally.
Kashmiri, a rich literary and cultural Indo-Aryan language, is one of India’s 22 scheduled languages. Yet, it has been on the fast track to decline, particularly among the younger generations.
As per UNESCO, Kashmiri is ranked as a “vulnerable” language with reduced usage among people in regular communication. The spread of English and Urdu in education, media, and official communications has also marginalized Kashmiri further, endangering its survival for future generations.
Understanding the gravity of the situation, the US Library of Congress has initiated a project to digitally preserve Kashmiri literature, oral traditions, and linguistic materials. The project is a component of the library’s broader Endangered Languages Project, which seeks to document and preserve endangered languages. The available archives will be available in the Library’s South Asian Desk, a Kashmiri-origin library member Abid Bhat told Onlykashmir.in
“The Library of Congress has already started gathering local Kashmiri newspapers, books, and other written material to build an extensive digital archive,” he said.
The library is also in touch with various Kashmiri journalists, writers, and scholars to collect firsthand testimonies, oral histories, and contemporary writings in the language. These initiatives will preserve the living spirit of Kashmiri and help it survive for generations to come.
The project has been welcomed and appreciated by the Kashmiri community, both locally and overseas. It is regarded by many as a lifeline for their culture and language.
“Our language is our identity. If we lose Kashmiri, we lose part of who we are,” explained Khurshid Qureshi, a prominent writer in linguistics from Srinagar. “This initiative by the US Library of Congress is a beacon of hope for us. It will ensure that our children and grandchildren can learn and cherish Kashmiri.”
Sarwar Kawoosa, a student seconded these words: “Kashmiri is not merely a language; it’s an archive of our history, our struggles, and our dreams. To save it is to save our soul. I am delighted to see that global institutions are acknowledging its worth and acting to safeguard it.”
For the younger generation, the project provides an opportunity to connect with their heritage. Ayaan Malik, a college student from Srinagar, said: “I learned Urdu and English at school. But when I listen to my grandparents talk in Kashmiri, I feel connected to my roots. This project will make it more convenient for people like me to learn and enjoy our language.”
Pertinently, in a parallel move, technology leader Microsoft has also made a contribution in promoting the Kashmiri language. As per The Hindu, “Microsoft and Google are to give new life to the dying Kashmiri language this year by adding Kashmiri as a supported language on their platforms. This will involve adding Kashmiri to Microsoft’s Translator and Google’s translation offerings, and including it in voice recognition and text-to-speech technology.” All these are meant to bring Kashmiri closer to the digital age so that it remains relevant today.
Pertinent to mention here, the US Library of Congress has an extensive history of saving threatened languages. Its archive consists of ancient manuscripts, recordings, and electronic materials for more than 500 languages, of which many no longer exist.
