Languages of Identity: A Statistical Study on The Decline of Mother Tongue use among Indian Urban Youth

Abstract

This study looks at the changing relationship between language and identity among young people in urban India, paying particular attention to the gradual decline in the use of regional mother tongues in daily life and education. The analysis is based on secondary data drawn from reliable national sources, including the Census of India (1991, 2001, 2011), the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO), and the India Human Development Survey (IHDS). Focusing on individuals aged 15 to 24, the research traces how patterns of language use at home, in schools, and in personal preferences have shifted over the past three decades. To understand these shifts, the study uses simple descriptive tools such as percentages and trend graphs, alongside inferential methods like cross-tabulation and chi-square tests. This combination makes it possible to see both the overall direction of change and the social factors linked to language choice, such as region, education, and socioeconomic background.The findings point to a clear movement towards English and Hindi, often at the expense of regional and indigenous languages. The weakening of mother tongue use suggests that traditional roots are becoming less central, as new forms of belonging emerge. The study shows that language remains an important marker of identity, shaped today by urbanization, policy, and digital communication.