Language Shift : The Sadri-Speaking Community of the Sundarbans/ ভাষা প্রতিস্থাপন : সুন্দরবনের সাদরি ভাষিকগোষ্ঠী

Abstract

Linguistic diversity is facing a critical threat worldwide, with many indigenous and minority languages becoming endangered or disappearing altogether. This study focuses on the indigenous communities of the Sundarbans region in India, who originally migrated from the Chotanagpur plateau. Upon settling in the Sundarbans, these communities gradually adopted Sadri as their mother tongue, replacing their earlier tribal languages. Over time, Sadri emerged as a common language for communication within and between various tribal groups.

The main objective of this research is to examine the present status and transformation of the Sadri language among selected villages in the Sundarbans. While Bengali, the dominant regional language, is increasingly used in education, administration, and employment, Sadri remains actively spoken in many homes and community spaces. The research highlights the growing bilingualism among the people and the mixing of Sadri with Bengali in everyday speech, particularly among younger generations.

This study also explores how factors like age, village location, customs, and traditional folk practices—especially music—affect the preservation and transmission of the Sadri language. Older community members tend to use Sadri more fluently and consistently, while younger speakers often show signs of language shift influenced by formal schooling and economic integration into Bengali-speaking society.

Furthermore, the study investigates how livelihood patterns, especially the need to work in Bengali-speaking environments, are contributing to changes in language preference and usage. As economic dependence on the dominant language grows, Sadri is at risk of marginalization despite its cultural significance.

In conclusion, this research sheds light on both the resilience and vulnerability of Sadri in the Sundarbans. While it continues to be a key part of community identity and cultural expression, the pressures of socio-economic change are gradually reshaping its role and future among the indigenous population.