Garhwali

Garhwali is an Indo-Aryan language spoken by the Garhwali people in the Garhwal region of the Indian state of Uttarakhand. It is part of the Western Pahari branch of the Indo-Aryan language family and is closely related to other Western Pahari languages such as Kumaoni, though mutual intelligibility with Hindi varies by speaker.

Geographic distribution and dialects: It is primarily spoken in valleys and towns of Garwal, with several regional varieties that differ in pronunciation and vocabulary. These dialects reflect local geography and communities, rather than a single standard.

Writing and status: Garhwali has historically been written in the Takri script; today Devanagari is widely used for writing and education. It is considered a regional language of Uttarakhand and is not an official language of India. There are language development efforts, including literature, dictionaries, and media in Garhwali.

Cultural context and vitality: Garhwali features in folk songs, storytelling, and traditional rituals, and continues to be transmitted in homes and communities, though use in formal education and urban settings competes with Hindi and English. Language preservation initiatives aim to document oral traditions and expand teaching resources.