Languages Archives

1. ‘Dhivehi’ is a principal language of which one of the following Union

‘Dhivehi’ is a principal language of which one of the following Union Territories?

Puducherry

Ladakh

Lakshadweep

Jammu and Kashmir

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2022

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‘Dhivehi’ is a principal language of Lakshadweep.

While Malayalam is the widely spoken language in most islands of Lakshadweep, the people of Minicoy Island, which is part of the Lakshadweep Union Territory, speak Mahl. Mahl is a dialect of Dhivehi, the official language of the Republic of Maldives. Thus, Dhivehi (in the form of Mahl) is a principal language for a part of the UT.

The linguistic diversity within Lakshadweep reflects its historical connections and geographic proximity to both mainland Kerala and the Maldives. Excluding Minicoy, the language spoken is predominantly Jeseri (also known as Dweep Bhasha), a dialect of Malayalam.

2. Khasi language is included in

Khasi language is included in

Munda branch of Austro-Asiatic sub-family

Mon-Khmer branch of Austro-Asiatic sub-family

North Assam branch of Sino-Tibetan family

Assam-Myanmar branch of Sino-Tibetan family

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-2 – 2018

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The correct answer is B) Mon-Khmer branch of Austro-Asiatic sub-family.

The Khasi language is an indigenous language spoken by the Khasi people in the state of Meghalaya in India, as well as by a smaller population in neighbouring Bangladesh. Linguistically, Khasi belongs to the Mon-Khmer branch of the Austro-Asiatic language family. The Austro-Asiatic family is dispersed across Southeast Asia and parts of India.

Other branches of the Austro-Asiatic family include the Munda languages, spoken primarily in central and eastern India (e.g., Santali, Mundari, Ho), and various languages spoken in Southeast Asia (e.g., Khmer, Vietnamese, Mon). The Sino-Tibetan language family, on the other hand, includes languages like Tibetan, Burmese, and many languages spoken in Northeast India such as Bodo, Manipuri (Meitei), and various tribal languages.

3. Which one of the following is not among the principal languages of J

Which one of the following is not among the principal languages of Jammu and Kashmir?

Urdu

Gujari

Koshur

Monpa

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-1 – 2020

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Monpa is a language spoken by the Monpa people, who primarily inhabit the state of Arunachal Pradesh in India and adjacent areas in Tibet. Urdu, Gujari (Gojri), and Koshur (Kashmiri) are all recognized as significant or principal languages spoken in the region of Jammu and Kashmir.

The official languages and principal languages of Jammu and Kashmir include Kashmiri, Dogri, Urdu, Gojri, Pahari, Ladakhi, and Punjabi.

Monpa belongs to the Tibeto-Burman language family. Its geographic distribution is entirely outside the traditional areas of Jammu and Kashmir.