About this book:

thoughtful -走"Language and Identity in South Asia" investigates the evolution of linguistic landscapes across India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal.

What You'll Find Inside:

• Examines how colonial linguistic surveys transformed fluid speech continua into discrete 'languages' with lasting political consequences
• Traces major language movements including the 1952 Bengali Language Movement, anti-Hindi agitations in Tamil Nadu, and Sri Lanka's Sinhala Only policy
• Analyzes how scripts became political symbols (Devanagari/Nastaliq for Hindi/Urdu, Gurmukhi/Shahmukhi for Punjabi, Bangla script reforms)
• Explores the relationship between language, education, and identity through medium of instruction debates across South Asia
• Investigates contemporary challenges including digital language politics, mother-tongue education, and futures of multilingualism

Who's It For:

This book is essential reading for scholars and students of linguistics, South Asian studies, history, and political science who seek to understand how language shapes identity and power dynamics in the region. It will also be valuable for policymakers working on language policy, education reform, or ethnic relations in South Asian countries, as well as anyone interested in the interplay of colonialism, nationalism, and linguistic diversity in post-colonial state formation.