The most translated Languages of India

 

India is one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world. From traditional North Indian stories to West Bengal's Bengali poetry, each corner of India offers its distinct writing style and vernacular. But language barriers can be a huge obstacle in terms of getting their work seen by wider audiences with different language abilities. Thankfully, several languages have been translated over time so that these works can become accessible to readers across India as well as around the world! In this blog post, we will explore some of the most commonly translated languages used for publishing literature from India – focusing mainly on novels and short stories – and how they are helping bridge cultural divides through shared literary experiences.

 

22 languages of India

India is an incredibly diverse nation, and this is reflected in the 22 officially recognized languages within its borders! There are some special national languages: Hindi, which is the most widely used language in India, as well as English, which is also given special status. But there are also hundreds of other languages spoken by various ethnic and religious communities throughout India. These 22 languages represent numerous dialects spread across 22 states with many more beneath them; this is why linguists consider India to be among the most complex linguistic regions on earth.

 

7 the most commonly translated Indian languages in India

Out of the hundreds of languages spoken in India, there are seven that stand out above all others. These seven languages - Hindi, Bengali, Telugu, Marathi, Sanskrit, Tamil, and Urdu - represent the vast cultural diversity that is central to the nation's heritage and history. In addition to being recognized for their valuable contributions to Indian culture and society, these seven languages also have achieved international recognition through successful translations into many other global languages.

 

List of the most translated Indian languages

• Hindi - Hindi is the most widely spoken language in India and is also one of the most translated languages. It is the official language of the Indian government, and many literary works and other materials are translated into Hindi for wider distribution.
• Bengali - Bengali is the second most widely spoken language in India after Hindi and is also one of the most translated Indian languages. It has a rich literary tradition, and many works of Bengali literature have been translated into other Indian languages as well as foreign languages.
• Tamil - Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken in southern India and is known for its rich literary heritage. Many works of Tamil literature have been translated into other Indian languages and foreign languages.
• Urdu - Urdu is a language of Indian origin that is widely spoken in Pakistan and other countries. It is known for its poetry and has been translated into many other languages.
• Sanskrit - Sanskrit is an ancient language that has been used for religious and literary purposes for many centuries. Although it is not widely spoken as a modern language, many works in Sanskrit have been translated into other Indian languages and foreign languages.
• Marathi - Marathi is a language spoken in the western Indian state of Maharashtra and has a rich literary tradition. Many works of Marathi literature have been translated into other Indian languages and foreign languages.
• Telugu - Telugu is a Dravidian language spoken in southern India and is known for its literature and poetry. Many works of Telugu literature have been translated into other Indian languages and foreign languages.

 

These are some of the most translated Indian languages, but many other languages are also translated depending on the target audience and the purpose of the translation.

 

The most translated books from India

India has a rich literary heritage, and many of its books and works of literature have been translated into several languages. Here are some of the most translated books of India:

• Bhagavad Gita - The Bhagavad Gita is a Hindu scripture that is widely read and translated into several languages. It is a part of the epic Mahabharata and is considered to be a guide for daily life.
• Ramayana - The Ramayana is one of the two great epics of India, and its story of the prince Rama and his wife Sita is widely read and translated into many languages.
• Mahabharata - The Mahabharata is the other great epic of India, and it is a long and complex work that has been translated into several languages.
• Tagore's Gitanjali - Rabindranath Tagore's Gitanjali is a collection of poems that has been translated into several languages. It won him the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913.
• The Discovery of India by Jawaharlal Nehru - The Discovery of India is a book written by India's first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. It is a historical account of India's past and has been translated into several languages.
• The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy - The God of Small Things is a novel by Arundhati Roy that won the Booker Prize in 1997. It has been translated into several languages.
• The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga - The White Tiger is a novel by Aravind Adiga that won the Booker Prize in 2008. It has been translated into several languages.
• The Immortals of Meluha by Amish Tripathi - The Immortals of Meluha is a novel by Amish Tripathi that is part of a trilogy based on Hindu mythology. It has been translated into several languages.

 

These are some of the most translated books of India, but many more works of Indian literature have been translated into several languages.

 

What languages were written the most translated masterpieces of India?

India is a land of diverse cultures, religions, and languages. Of the hundreds of languages spoken across the country, many have left an impact on both Indian and international literature. From ancient epics to modern works of fiction penned by contemporary authors, each language has found its place in various literary pieces throughout India’s long history.

Here are some of the languages in which India's literary masterpieces were written.

• Sanskrit - Sanskrit is one of the oldest languages of India and has a rich literary heritage. Many of India's great epics and scriptures, such as the Ramayana, the Mahabharata, and the Bhagavad Gita, were written in Sanskrit. Sanskrit is also the language of many great works of literature and poetry, including Kalidasa's works and the Panchatantra.
• Tamil - Tamil is one of the oldest surviving classical languages in the world and has a rich literary heritage. Tamil literature includes works such as the Thirukkural, which is a collection of 1,330 couplets that guide daily life, and the Silappathikaram, an epic poem that tells the story of Kannagi.
• Bengali - Bengali is one of the most widely spoken languages in India and has a rich literary heritage. Some of the great works of Bengali literature include Rabindranath Tagore's Gitanjali, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay's Anandamath, and Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay's Devdas.
• Hindi - Hindi is the most widely spoken language in India and has a rich literary heritage. Some of the great works of Hindi literature include Premchand's Godan, Mahadevi Varma's Yama, and Ramdhari Singh Dinkar's Kurukshetra.
• Kannada - Kannada is one of the oldest languages in India and has a rich literary heritage. Some of the great works of Kannada literature include Pampa's Vikramarjuna Vijaya, Janna's Yashodhara Charite, and Kuvempu's Sri Ramayana Darshanam.
• Malayalam - Malayalam is a language spoken in the southern state of Kerala and has a rich literary heritage. Some of the great works of Malayalam literature include Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai's Kayar, O. V. Vijayan's Khasakkinte Itihasam, and Vaikom Muhammad Basheer's Balyakalasakhi.

 

These are some of the languages in which India's literary masterpieces were written. However, there are many more languages in India with a rich literary heritage, and each language has its unique literary traditions and masterpieces.

India is full of countless languages, each one containing its unique history and culture. Each language has a rich heritage of literature that deserves to be read around the world. Translating literature writings from or to any of these Indian languages opens up the door for a broader global audience to be informed on Indian culture and gain access to rare literary works.

With a global platform for readers to connect with authors and share their knowledge about Indian culture, these highly translated Indian languages can continue to spread the nation's legacy across the globe. 

Recognizing translations as an essential modality for communicating with other cultures provides both domestic and international readers with exposure to diverse national identities through literature-engaging all in affirmative readings of India.