Q. India, as everyone knows, is a multi-lingual country. People often know three or more languages. In this context, which of the following statements is more correct?
a) In India about a quarter of the population is bilingual; and about a tenth is trilingual.
b) In India about half the population is bilingual; about one fifth is trilingual.
c) In India about a third of the population is bilingual; about a tenth is trilingual.
d) In India about three fourths of the population is bilingual and about a half is trilingual.
Question from Odisha OCS Paper 1 2024
The correct answer is: a) In India about a quarter of the population is bilingual; and about a tenth is trilingual.
Explanation:
Bilingualism and Trilingualism in India
1. Bilingual Population: According to the 2011 Census, approximately 26% of India’s population is bilingual, which translates to about 314.9 million people. This aligns with the statement that about a quarter of the population speaks two languages.
2. Trilingual Population: The same census data indicates that around 7% of the population is trilingual, meaning they speak three languages. This supports the claim that about a tenth of the population speaks three languages.
Summary of Finding
– Bilingual Speakers: ~26% (about a quarter)
– Trilingual Speakers: ~7% (about a tenth)
