Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the official language of Maharashtra?
What is the official language of Maharashtra?
Marathi
How many speakers does Marathi have as of 2011?
How many speakers does Marathi have as of 2011?
83 million
What are the major dialects of Marathi?
What are the major dialects of Marathi?
Standard Marathi and the Varhadi dialect
Which language has the third largest number of native speakers in India?
Which language has the third largest number of native speakers in India?
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What are the two contrasting phonological features of Marathi?
What are the two contrasting phonological features of Marathi?
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Study Notes
Language Overview
- Marathi is an Indo-Aryan language primarily spoken by the Marathi people in Maharashtra, India.
- It serves as the official language of Maharashtra and as an additional official language in Goa.
Linguistic Status
- Recognized as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India.
- As of the 2011 census, it boasts approximately 83 million speakers.
Global Ranking
- Ranks 13th globally in terms of the number of native speakers.
- Holds the position of the third largest number of native speakers in India, following Hindi and Bengali.
Historical Significance
- Marathi has some of the oldest literary traditions among modern Indian languages.
Dialects
- The major dialects include Standard Marathi and Varhadi.
Linguistic Features
- Unique in distinguishing between inclusive and exclusive forms of 'we'.
- Features a three-way gender system that comprises masculine, feminine, and neuter categories.
- Phonological characteristics include the differentiation between apico-alveolar and alveopalatal affricates, as well as alveolar and retroflex lateral sounds.
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Description
Test your knowledge of the Marathi language and culture with this engaging quiz. Discover fascinating facts about the language, its speakers, and its significance in Maharashtra and Goa. Challenge yourself and see how much you know about this vibrant Indo-Aryan language spoken by millions.
