The insistence on “standard Marathi” has led to the neglect of rich words from other dialects, according to Dr Sharad Baviskar, associate professor at the School of Language, Literature and Cultural Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).
Speaking at Loksatta Abhijat Litfest during the session, Baviskar highlighted the language policies and said, “Knowledge does not spread locally, in local languages. In Maharashtra, our insistence on ‘standard’ Marathi has led to the neglect of the precise and rich words of other Marathi dialects. As a result, ‘standard Marathi’ itself has failed to become the true language of Maharashtra.”
Citing French as an example, Baviskar said that when one language expands, it often suppresses other languages. “In a bid to maintain purity, French has wiped out nearly 30 major languages, including Breton. Marathi also needs conscious efforts to survive. Without policy and planning, Marathi may disappear from Mumbai. Ironically, the dialects threatened by Standard Marathi may still persist, because speakers of these dialects continue to fight for it,” he said.
He expressed concern about the shrinking space for public debate, saying: “When societies become closed in on themselves, cultural conflict follows. To avoid this, we need cultural ambassadors as mediators who build bridges. Without them, societies drift into situations resembling civil war. A healthy public sphere prevents this, but today, the possibility of a public space is closed. It is the oxygen of civil society. Although this space is minimal, it now seems like a luxury.”
Baviskar warned that self-absorption and self-obsession are equally dangerous, and said that critical and comprehensive dialogue is no longer possible due to the absence of platforms that encourage it. “Narrow-mindedness and self-glorification should be avoided like an ostrich,” he said.
Challenging the idea that democracy is a Western concept, Baviskar said it was dangerous to believe that. He said: “There has always been an intellectual exchange between cultures… In the current era, isolationism is neither possible nor desirable.”
(Tags for translation)Loksata Abhijat Litfest
