Introduction

Languages of Andhra Pradesh belong to the Dravidian language group. Telugu is the official language in Andhra Pradesh including Telengana region. In October 1953, the state was constituted and Telugu was acknowledged with this status. India comprises of different linguistic communities, each sharing a common language of their own. The Indian languages belong to four classes of languages, namely Mon-Khmer, Sino-Tibetan, Indo-European and Dravidian. These languages are grouped on the basis of geographical locations in India.

The main languages that are spoken by people of Andhra Pradesh are Telugu, Hindi, Banjara, Urdu and English. Along with these, there are other languages like Odia, Marathi, and Lambadi, that are also spoken in the state.

Telugu Language

Telugu Language is one of the 23 official languages of India. The subtlety of the language emphasizes the language`s profundity. Telugu is an exceptionally robust language and is highly moulded by Sanskrit influence. It was also referred to as "Tenugu" in the past. Amongst the Dravidian languages, Telugu is mostly spoken by the people. In terms of population, Telugu ranks second to Hindi among the Indian languages. The Telugu alphabet is called "Onamaalu". In Andhra Pradesh, Telugu is the first official language and is spoken by majority of people in the state.

Kolami Language

Kolami is another language of Andhra Pradesh is also widely used in Andhra region. Like all other South Indian languages, it also belongs to the category of Dravidian language group. This language is also spoken in Maharashtra and Telangana. It is the most widely spoken Central Dravidian language.

Kannada Language

Since, Telugu has a close resemblance with Tamil, Kannada and Tulu, Kannada is also one of the spoken languages in Andhra Pradesh. Though Kannada is the official language of Karnataka, it has some significant linguistic minorities in Andhra Pradesh. Kannada is considered to be one of the oldest living languages.

Urdu Language

With the advent of the Muslim rule, several Persian and Arabic words entered into the Telugu language. Urdu is another language that came to the Deccan, late in the 15th century. It flourished during the reign of the Qutub Shahi Dynasty.

Tamil Language

Tamil is the official language of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, but is also spoken by significant minorities in the four other South Indian states of Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and the Union Territory of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It is one of the 22 scheduled languages of India.

Hindi

In Andhra Pradesh, many people speak Hindi as it is the most widely spoken language in India. It is commonly used as a second language or for communication between different regions.

Odia

Odia, also known as Oriya, is spoken by a minority in specific parts of Andhra Pradesh, particularly in the border districts of Srikakulam and Vizianagaram. These areas share historical and cultural connections with the neighboring state of Odisha.

Bengali

In Andhra Pradesh, a small group of people speaks Bengali, primarily in cities like Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada. These individuals have typically migrated to these urban centers for work or business opportunities, bringing their language and culture with them. 

Marathi

In certain parts of Andhra Pradesh, a small number of people speak Marathi, likely due to migration from Maharashtra. Marathi speakers in the state are primarily concentrated in urban areas and developed cities, reflecting their roots in Maharashtra and the cultural ties brought along through migration.

English

In Andhra Pradesh, a small percentage of the population aged 12 and above can read and understand English. While there are not many native English speakers in the state, a segment of the population is fluent in the language, often using it for communication in educational, professional, or social settings.

Tribal Languages in Andhra Pradesh

Tribal languages are integral to preserving the heritage and traditions of indigenous communities in Andhra Pradesh. They embody the deep bond between tribal populations and their ancestral lands, reflecting their unique cultural identity. These languages also enrich the multicultural diversity of the state, showcasing its vibrant traditions.

Duruwa or Parji

Duruwa, also called Parji, is a Dravidian language predominantly spoken by the Dhurwa tribe. It is primarily used in Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh. The language features four main dialects: Dharba, Kukanar, Nethanar, and Tiriya, with Nethanar being the most widely spoken among them.

Gondi

Gondi is a tribal Dravidian language spoken by around two million people of the Gond tribe. The Gondi-speaking population is distributed across Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Telangana, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, and Andhra Pradesh. The language features several major dialects, including Dorla, Koya, Madiya, Muria, and Raj Gond, highlighting its rich linguistic diversity.

Lambadi

Lambadi, also known as Lambani, Lamani, or Banjari, is a Western Indo-Aryan language spoken by the Banjara community, a nomadic tribal group in Andhra Pradesh. The language lacks a native script but follows the Telugu script in the state. Lambadi is spoken by a small number of people, particularly in tribal regions.

Ollari

Ollari, also known as Ollar Gadaba, is a tribal Dravidian language spoken in the border regions of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, particularly in Koraput and Srikakulam districts. The language is also referred to by various names, including Ollaro, Hallari, Allar, and Hollar Gadbas, reflecting its diverse linguistic heritage.

Koya

Koya is a tribal Dravidian language spoken by the Koya people of Andhra Pradesh. Although it is sometimes mistakenly identified as a dialect of the Gondi language, Koya is an independent language with its own unique identity. 

Muthvan

Muthvan, also known as Mudavan, Muduva, Muduvan, Muduvar, and Mutuvar, is a language spoken in specific regions of Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. This language reflects the cultural identity of the communities that use it, contributing to the linguistic diversity of South India.

Kui

Kui, also known as Kandh, Khondi, Khond, Khondo, Kanda, Kodu, Kodulu, Kuinga, and Kuy, is a language spoken by the Khond tribe. Closely related to the historical Kalinga language, Kui holds cultural significance for the community. It is primarily spoken in the border regions of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.

Konda

Konda, also called Konda-Dora, is a tribal Dravidian language spoken by members of the Konda-Dora tribe. This language is primarily used by tribal communities residing in various regions of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Assam.

Kuvi

Kuvi is one of the two languages spoken by the Khond tribe. Although often regarded as a dialect of the more widely spoken Kui language, Kuvi is a distinct language in its own right. It is primarily used by certain tribal communities in Andhra Pradesh, reflecting their unique linguistic identity.

Chenchu

Chenchu is the primary language spoken by the Chenchu tribes living in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. It is also referred to as Chenchukulam, Chenchwar, Chenswar, or Chencharu. This language plays a significant role in preserving the cultural and linguistic heritage of the Chenchu tribal community.

Yerukula

Yerukula, also referred to as Kurru Bhasha or Kulavatha, is the language spoken by the Yerukula tribe. This tribal community is spread across various regions of South India, where their language reflects their unique cultural heritage and traditions.