Atlas of the languages and ethnic communities of South Asia

[17:50, 15/02/2022] Rashid Ali: This geographical atlas constitutes the first systematic presentation of
the spatial and quantitative characteris- tics of the distribution of languages in
the seven countries of South Asia. Utiliz- ing a semiographic analysis and com-
bining and comparing language data from various national censuses covering
a forty year period, this atlas enables read- ers to actually see the geographical loca-
tion, extension and linguistic affinities of any of the numerous languages spoken
in South Asia.
The atlas is divided into two parts. In the
first part, Professor Breton introduces the
reader to the general relationship be-
tween language and the complex ethno-
cultural structure of the subcontinent, and
raises interesting considerations on
language as a component of cultural
identity. He stresses both the importance
of and difficulties in analyzing the vitality
of South Asian language groups. Exa-
mining the similarities and differences in
language use and various ethnic traits
among similar population groups,
Professor Breton explores the relation-
ship between language on the one hand
and race, tribe, caste and religion on the
other.