Linguistic Plurality and Cultural Identity: The Politics of Language in India's Northeast

Abstract

This paper examines the intricate relationship between linguistic plurality, cultural identity, and political dynamics in Northeast India, a region characterized by extraordinary ethnolinguistic diversity. Through analysis of language policies, identity movements, and state-society relations, this study explores how language functions as both a marker of cultural distinctiveness and a site of political contestation. The research demonstrates that language politics in the Northeast reflects tensions between nation-building imperatives, regional autonomy demands, and community-level identity assertions. Key findings indicate that linguistic recognition serves as a crucial mechanism for political mobilization, resource allocation, and the negotiation of citizenship rights. The paper argues that understanding language politics in this context requires acknowledging the layered nature of identity formation, where linguistic affiliations intersect with ethnicity, territory, and historical marginalization. Implications for language policy formulation and minority rights frameworks are discussed, emphasizing the need for approaches that balance national integration with cultural preservation. This analysis contributes to broader debates on linguistic diversity, multiculturalism, and federalism in postcolonial states.