The Languages of Puducherry

The People’s Linguistic Survey of India tries to give an idea of the extant and dying languages of India. It is the outcome of a nationwide survey of languages that has been documented by linguists, writers, social activists, and members of different speech communities.

This volume presents to the reader the multiethnic, multicultural and multilingual nature of the Union Territory of Puducherry and the history and the status of the languages in Puducherry. Formerly known as Pondicherry, Puducherry has been greatly influenced by French culture and language which can still be seen in the wide use of French in the region. The Union Territory comprises four small unconnected districts—Puducherry, Karaikal, Yanam and Mahe. Each region has its dominant language as the local official language (Tamil in Puducherry and Karaikal, Malayalam in Mahe and Telugu in Yanam). This volume also highlights the spiritual identity of the region.