In a major step towards linguistic inclusivity, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla announced the expansion of translation services in Parliament to six new languages, including Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, Manipuri, Urdu, and Sanskrit. This move aims to enhance communication and representation for speakers of these languages in India’s parliamentary proceedings.
Previously, translation services were available in 10 Indian languages, apart from Hindi and English. With the latest inclusion, Parliament now provides translation in 16 regional languages, with plans to extend the service to all 22 languages recognized under the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
Parliamentary Translation Services Expansion
The Lok Sabha Speaker emphasized that India’s democratic framework allows for translation in multiple languages, ensuring better participation and accessibility for lawmakers who prefer to speak in their native tongues. “Now, we have also included six more languages—Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, Manipuri, Urdu, and Sanskrit. Along with this, for the additional 16 languages, as human resources become available, we are making efforts to provide simultaneous translations in those as well,” said Om Birla.
This development aligns with the Indian government’s vision to promote regional languages and strengthen their presence in national discourse.
Existing and Newly Added Translation Languages
Languages That Previously Had Translation Services:
- Assamese
- Bengali
- Gujarati
- Kannada
- Malayalam
- Marathi
- Odia
- Punjabi
- Tamil
- Telugu
Newly Added Languages:
- Bodo
- Dogri
- Maithili
- Manipuri
- Urdu
- Sanskrit
This brings the total number of available languages for parliamentary translation services to 16, with more languages expected to be added in the future.
Importance of the New Language Additions
1. Strengthening Linguistic Representation
The inclusion of Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, and Manipuri ensures better representation of India’s northeastern and indigenous communities, whose voices are crucial in the nation-building process.
2. Enhancing Accessibility for Lawmakers
Many Members of Parliament (MPs) prefer to speak in their mother tongue, making simultaneous translation essential for effective communication and engagement in parliamentary debates.
3. Promotion of Regional Languages
This step aligns with India’s efforts to preserve and promote regional languages, particularly in legislative, administrative, and judicial processes.
4. Acknowledgment of India’s Linguistic Diversity
With over 1,600 languages and dialects spoken across India, ensuring linguistic inclusivity in governance is crucial for a vibrant democracy.
Global Recognition of India’s Multilingual Parliamentary System
Speaker Om Birla highlighted how India’s parliamentary translation efforts have received global appreciation. “When I discussed at the global level that we are making this effort in 22 languages, everyone on the international platforms praised it. Our effort is that, for the 22 languages that are officially recognized, we aim to include them in the future as well.”
This positions India as a leader in linguistic representation within parliamentary systems worldwide.
Debate Over Sanskrit’s Inclusion
While many have welcomed the expansion, the inclusion of Sanskrit in the list of translation services has sparked a debate. Critics argue that public funds should not be spent on translating Sanskrit, given that it is spoken by only around 70,000 people in India, according to the latest census data.
However, proponents of Sanskrit’s inclusion argue that it is a classical language with deep cultural and historical significance, warranting its presence in parliamentary discussions.
The Indian government aims to extend translation services to all 22 languages recognized under the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. This will ensure greater inclusivity for lawmakers from different linguistic backgrounds.
Moreover, the government is investing in advanced technology and human resources to make real-time translations more efficient and accessible.
The expansion of translation services in Parliament to six new languages—Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, Manipuri, Urdu, and Sanskrit—is a historic step towards linguistic inclusivity. It enhances regional representation, ensures better communication for lawmakers, and strengthens India’s democratic framework.
While debates over Sanskrit’s inclusion continue, this move sets the stage for further linguistic advancements in governance. With the government’s commitment to adding all 22 recognized languages, India is embracing its rich linguistic diversity, ensuring that every voice is heard in the nation’s highest legislative body.
