The Regional Variety Of Marathi Language

By Author: Ankush Singhal
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Marathi is a common word to describe the people and the language of state of Maharashtra. Marathi language traces it origin to the indo-Aryan group of languages spoken in India. It is also the official language of the state and commonly spoken by people in the central and western regions of India. The language has many dialects, which is spoken in the various districts of Maharashtra. There is a vast collection of literary works written in Marathi language.

It is one of the oldest regional languages of India spoken by over 70 millions speakers. Apart from the official language in Maharashtra, the union territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Daman and Diu have many speakers of this language. A part of population in the neighboring state of Goa also uses this language frequently. All the above state and union territories have Marathi as the co-official language.

This language is also the medium of instruction all the state universities of Maharashtra. Schools and colleges also teach in Marathi apart for English language. Other universities like the Osmania University in Andhra Pradesh, the Goa University and ...
... Maharaja Sayajirao University in Baroda, Gujarat have departments of higher studies teaching Marathi language.

Marathi language speakers are found in the Indian states of Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Chattisgarh, Goa and Andhra Pradesh. A good number of Marathi speaking communities reside in the cities of Ahmedabad, Baroda, Belgaum, Surat, Gwalior, Tanjore, Indore and Hyderabad. These Marathi communities have migrated from the Indian state of Maharashtra. These communities, keeping the tradition of their home state alive, follows the customs related to weddings, birth and death ceremonies. Marathi Matrimony for these communities is a time of celebration with family and friends.

The official language of Maharashtra is the Standard Marathi. This form language is based on the numerous dialects. Academicians and the print media use these dialects. The scholarly class of Pune has also influenced what is today standard Marathi. Maharashtra Sahitya Parishad, linguistic body guides the various literary institutions with the correct use of Marathi language. Devanagari script is used for writing this language.

According to Indian language scholars, there are about 42 dialects of Marathi. The main differences in the dialects are phonological and lexical. Common dialects of the Marathi language are as follows:

1. Zadi Boli-Also known as the Jhadi Boli, this dialect of Marathi is spoken in eastern part of the state. Regions like Bhandara, Gadchiroli, Gondia, and some parts of Wardha and Nagpur districts.

2. Varhadi- This dialect is common in the western part of Vidarbha region.

3. Ahirani- This language is common in the southern and western regions of the state, chiefly in Jalgaon, Nandurbar, Dhule and eastern Nashik districts. This dialect has effects of Gujarati and Hindi languages.

4. Konkani-the Konkan region of Maharashtra has a variety of Marathi language dialects. General listeners often confuse the Marathi dialects spoken with Goan Konkani, which is another independent language. The dialects of this region are Kiristanv, Parabhi, Dhangari, Maoli, Agari and Thakri. Marathi Matrimony rituals in the Konkan region are conducted in one of the above dialects.

Other common Marathi dialects are Khandeshi, Samavedi, Vadvali and Malvani.

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