Like India as a whole, Ladakh is also a multilingual society. Languages spoken in Ladakh are Balti, Brokskat, Ladakhi, Purgi, Shina, and Zanskari. According to UNESCO’s list of endangered languages, Balti, Purgi, and Ladakhi are ‘vulnerable’ languages and Brokskat and Zanskari are ‘definitely endangered’ languages.

An endangered language is a language that is at risk of falling out of use, generally because it has few surviving speakers. If it loses all of its native speakers, it becomes an extinct language. UNESCO defines four levels of language endangerment between “safe” (not endangered) and “extinct”: 1) Vulnerable, 2) Definitely endangered, 3) Severely endangered, 4) Critically endangered.

As almost all the languages of Ladakh have made their place on the list of endangered languages, therefore, there is an urgent need to protect these languages. Thus, there have been literary programmes, multilingual poetry sessions, conferences, and discussions, being organised by literary societies, NGOs, and Administration. These afford have helped in regaining language consciousness among the people of Kargil in particular and Ladakh as a whole. This regaining cognizance of the mother language is indeed a positive sign of a progressive society, only if it is open to other languages as well.

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Language in itself as a means of communication can unify or disunify a multilingual society. Historical records are full of testimonies concerning language as the main subject of contention among various groups. In fact, till today this contention over language is prevalent in India and Ladakh is no exception. There have been politically motivated discussions over, which language to be used which not. But the common people of Ladakh should find a common language to stop the political games at play.

Common language is a vehicle that allows every individual of a society to participate in ongoing dialogue and understand the intricacies of society so that a collective affords could be made to address the issues. A shared common language is said to increase the frequency of communication among the people in a society. Increased communication frequency is likely to directly improve group cohesiveness. Thus, helps in the unification of society and promotes mutual respect and understanding. While on the other hand there is substantial evidence that the need to be identified with one particular group may lead to a negative attitude towards other groups or the other group may feel a sense of alienation. This may also affect the communication frequency among the various groups of a society, which may eventually lead to misunderstanding and mistrust.

Historically language has been used as a tool in the formation and strengthening of states. India’s only Buddhist emperor, Ashoka, propagated linguistic pluralism and linguistic tolerance to unify his kingdom. Our political leaders should rather realise this lost legacy of tolerance and mutual respect, although, our Constitution continues Ashoka’s pluralism.

Moreover, civil society including government officials, media houses, and the general public should be very cautious about the language they use while delivering a service that is meant to be delivered to a larger and diverse audience. Once I was informed by a patient that under E- Sanjeevni programme while interacting with the doctor, he couldn’t understand what the doctor was saying neither the appointed CHO could help him as the doctor was speaking in Lehskat even after being informed that he doesn’t understand Lehskat.

Many a time I have noticed that government officials and political representatives use particular regional language to address something that is meant for all but understood by some. Being conscious about once mother tough is good but it is even better if one is open to all languages, for openness to language diversity will make you creative. Consciousness shouldn’t make you rigid but sensitive towards others as well. Let everything that ought to be delivered to a larger audience, be friendly to every ear that aspires to know what, why, how, and when. Indeed, by being Inclusive, we will prosper as a society.