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Negotiating Identity: Language Attitudes of Urban Lambada Youth in Telugu-Dominant Settings

The significant shifts in linguistic and sociocultural experiences of Lambada youth who have transitioned from the rural Nalgonda district to Hyderabad, an urban area predominantly speaking Telugu. The primary focus of the study is the evolving attitudes toward language among these young Lambada individuals aged between 20 and 35 and how this evolution impacts the preservation and vitality of their native tongue, Lambadi. Vadthya's research highlights that Lambadi, an unwritten Indo-Aryan language, is becoming increasingly marginalized in the everyday lives of urban Lambadas. The findings show that Telugu is progressively emerging as the preferred language of communication within this demographic, driven mainly by social acceptability and economic necessity. Lambada youth, especially those educated in Hyderabad, exhibit a strong inclination to communicate in Telugu in professional and social interactions. This preference stems from the belief that proficiency in Telugu offers better career opportunities and enhances workplace relationships. Participants indicated that their command of Telugu significantly improved their social mobility and sense of belonging in a work environment that predominantly speaks Telugu. Despite this linguistic shift, emotional consequences are apparent. A majority of participants (43 out of 50) reported a persistent stigma attached to speaking Lambadi openly, particularly in educational and professional settings. Many individuals confided that they had limited the use of Lambadi to interactions within their community or at home. Concurrently, there is an increasing recognition and regret among the youth regarding the decline of their mother tongue over time. The absence of a written script further complicates efforts to sustain Lambadi, as it hampers documentation and formalized teaching. Respondents often conveyed feelings of cultural dislocation, recognizing that their children are more fluent in Telugu than in Lambadi. Additionally, the results reveal a gendered aspect. Female respondents, often homemakers with less exposure to external environments, showed greater proficiency in Lambadi compared to their male counterparts, who engage more with Telugu through work and socialization. This suggests that women may play a crucial role in the informal preservation of the language at home. Helmink identifies a note of optimism in the study, with several participants expressing a sense of responsibility towards their mother tongue and a willingness to contribute either financially or culturally to its preservation. The research documents instances of younger individuals wanting to teach Lambadi to their children, despite the practical challenges involved.In conclusion, a complex landscape exists where language use is influenced by a struggle between cultural identity and socio-economic aspirations. While Telugu dominates the public and professional arenas, Lambadi holds a symbolic and emotional significance within the community. To address language loss, it is essential to involve both academic sectors and the Lambada community actively. Initiatives for documentation, awareness, and potential script development for Lambadi could serve as key elements in revitalization efforts. The study thus stresses the urgent need to identify and safeguard minority languages in multilingual urban regions.