Linguistic Diversity, Power Dynamics, and Educational Policy in Multilingual North East India.

Abstract

This paper critically examines the intersection of linguistic diversity, language endangerment, and educational policy in North East India, a region known for its extraordinary multilingualism but marked by systemic neglect of minority and tribal languages. Drawing on qualitative methods and an extensive review of policy documents, academic literature, and field-based case studies, the study explores how historical marginalization, flawed policy implementation, and socio-economic hierarchies contribute to the displacement and decline of indigenous languages. Despite constitutional and educational frameworks that promote multilingual education such as the Three Language Formula (TLF) and National Education Policy (NEP 2020) practical implementation remains inconsistent and inadequate, especially in tribal regions. Dominant languages like English, Assamese, and Meitei often replace local mother tongues in schools, leading to linguistic alienation, reduced learning outcomes, and cultural disconnection. The paper highlights the emergence of functional lingua francas such as Nagamese and Hindi, which, while facilitating inter-group communication, further marginalize smaller languages from public and institutional spaces. Through case studies of endangered languages like Tangam, Chirr, and Purum, the paper illustrates the urgency of language documentation, codification, and educational inclusion. The “double divide” between dominant and minority languages, and between the mother tongue and the language of instruction frames the ongoing structural inequalities in education. The study argues that meaningful revitalization of indigenous languages must move beyond symbolic policy to include community-driven language planning, investment in teacher training, curriculum development, and a reimagining of pedagogical practices to reflect local linguistic ecologies. Without such measures, India’s linguistic heritage particularly in the North East faces imminent erosion, with long-term consequences for cultural identity, educational equity, and social justice.