Impacts of Hindi and Regional Languages on Ethnobiology: Opportunities and Challenges
Authors: Neha Kumari
Published: July 2025 | Volume 1, Issue 1, OM05
Abstract
Ethnobiology, the study of the complex relationships between people and their biological environment, is inherently dependent on linguistic structures, local terminologies, and traditional knowledge systems. In India, where more than 19,500 languages and dialects are spoken, the role of Hindi and other regional languages in preserving, transmitting, and transforming ethnobiological knowledge is crucial. This research article explores the impacts—both positive and challenging—of using Hindi and regional languages in ethnobiological studies, education, and community-based practices. A survey was conducted across age groups, educational backgrounds, and linguistic communities using a structured questionnaire of 100 items. The results were analyzed using correlation matrices, regression models, and biostatistical techniques to understand linguistic influences on ethnobiological knowledge systems. This study provides critical insight into how language shapes ethnoscientific worldviews, the conservation of traditional ecological knowledge (TEK), and the documentation of bioresources, ultimately shaping ethnobiology as both a science and a cultural discourse.
Keywords: Ethnobiology, Hindi, regional language, language barriers, traditional scientific perspectives
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.16013270
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