Preservation and Revitalisation of Indian Languages through Digital Archiving

A Systematic Review of Bharatvani

Abstract

Languages play a crucial role in shaping cultural cultural identity, transmitting knowledge, and fostering social cohesion, however many languages around the world face extinction due to various factors such as globalisation and urbanisation.  India is not  an exception when it comes to language obsolescence. The present paper brings attention to the status of Indian languages and critically analyses India’s largest language platform Bharatvani, as an important tool for preserving and reviving Indian languages and mother tongues. This systemic review examines Bharatvani’s technological infrastructure, user interface, educational resources, and user testimonials. It utilises a qualitative research methodology and analyses secondary data from academic sources and user testimonials to provide insights into Bharatvani’s efficacy and limitations. The study’s findings, based on a feedback from 261 reviewers, reveal key insights into the app’s functionality and user experience. Additionally, the findings also highlight obstacles in digital archiving, addressing both social and technological challenges such as accessibility issues, browsing difficulties for indigenous communities, and limited community awareness and engagement. The study thus concludes that Bharatvani is an effective tool for linguistic preservation with potential scalability. Recommendations for policy and practice include enhancing community engagement and ensuring technological accessibility and digital equity to optimize the platform’s effectiveness.