Santali language facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Santali |
|
|---|---|
| Satār | |
| Native to | India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan |
| Ethnicity | Santal and Teraibasi Santali |
| Native speakers | 6.3 million (2001 census – 2011)e18 |
| Language family |
Austro-Asiatic
|
| Dialects |
Mahali (Mahli)
|
| Writing system | Ol Chiki |
Santali is a special language spoken by the Santal people. It's an official language for the Santal community. Most Santal people live in parts of India, like Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal. You can also find Santali speakers in countries like Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan.
Contents
About the Santali Language
Santali is part of a big group of languages called the Austro-Asiatic family. Within this family, it belongs to the Munda group. These languages are mostly spoken in eastern and central India, as well as in Bangladesh. Santali is one of the most widely spoken Munda languages.
Where Santali is Spoken
The Santal people are one of the largest tribal groups in India. They mostly live in the states of Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Odisha. You'll also find Santali speakers in other Indian states such as Bihar, Assam, Mizoram, and Tripura. Outside of India, Santali is spoken by communities in neighboring countries.
The Ol Chiki Script
For a long time, Santali was mostly a spoken language. When it was written down, people used different scripts from other languages, like Bengali, Odia, or Latin. But in the 1920s, a wise man named Pandit Raghunath Murmu created a special writing system just for Santali. This script is called Ol Chiki.
The Ol Chiki script is very important because it was made specifically for the sounds of the Santali language. This makes it easier for Santal people to read and write their own language. Using Ol Chiki helps keep the Santali language and culture strong. It's a unique script that looks different from many other Indian scripts.
How Many People Speak Santali?
According to information from 2001 to 2011, about 6.27 million people speak Santali. That's over six million people! This makes it one of the most spoken tribal languages in India. The number of speakers shows how important Santali is to a large community of people.
Images for kids
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Geographic distribution of Santali language by district. Greater shade implies a greater percentage.
See also
In Spanish: Idioma santali para niños
