I am a resident and citizen of India. In English, I would be referred to as an
Indian. However, in the Constitution of India, India is referred to as
"India, that is Bharat....". Thus, the other name of India is Bharat (one of
ancient India's kings); consequently, a resident or citizen of India is also
called "Bharatiya". Yet another name for India is "Hindustan" (Land of the
Hindus); a resident or citizen of India is therefore also referred to as
"Hindustani".
India is a land of iinnumerable cultures and civilizations. Its people speak in
several languages and dialects. If I remember right, India's Constitution
recognizes 15 (fifteen) languages. However, the language spoken by the
majority of its population (which resides in northern India) is Hindi. In South
India, the languages chiefly spoken are Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada.
A large number of Indians also speak (and write) English, largely on account of
the British having colonised India.
I trust the above proves to be of some help. Please do forgive the errors
(which, I am sure, are many).
= Raj Kapadia =
Leslie Pearson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> on 12/21/2000 09:47:53 PM
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Subject: [SaF] Language for India
Does anyone know what language or languages people from the country of India
speak?
Also, is there any term for people from India and surrounding countries (Sri
Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan etc.)?
For example: people from South American/Central American countries are called
Latin Americans.
Thanks,
Leslie
Leslie Pearson
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http://www.crosswinds.net/~lesliepear
AIM: lesliepear
