Draft:Savara
Savara language
[edit]Savara (also spelled Saora or Sora) is an indigenous Munda language spoken by the Sora tribe, a Scheduled Tribe primarily found in the states of Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Jharkhand in India. The language is recognized as part of the Austroasiatic language family and has significant cultural importance among the Sora people.
Classification
[edit]Savara belongs to the South Munda subgroup of the Austroasiatic languages. It is closely related to other Munda languages such as Gutob and Juang. The ISO 639-3 code for Savara is sva.
Linguistic Features
[edit]Savara features a rich phonology with distinctive nasalization and vowel harmony processes. Unlike many tribal languages, Savara has a unique script called the Sora Sompeng script, created in the 1930s to write the language. However, the Latin and Oriya scripts are also used for literacy and documentation.
Speaker Population
[edit]According to the 2011 Indian Census, there are approximately 300,000 speakers of Savara. The language is still actively spoken in tribal areas, though there are signs of language shift due to regional language influences."2011 Census Data". Government of India. Retrieved 2025-06-02.
Endangerment and Revitalization
[edit]Savara is considered vulnerable by UNESCO, as the younger generation increasingly adopts dominant regional languages such as Odia and Telugu. Efforts to revitalize Savara include the promotion of the Sora Sompeng script in schools and cultural programs supported by tribal welfare organizations.Diffloth, Gérard (2005). Munda Languages. Routledge. ISBN 9780415318505. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: checksum (help)
Cultural Significance
[edit]The Savara language plays a central role in the oral traditions, rituals, and folklore of the Sora tribe. The Sora Sompeng script is also a symbol of ethnic identity and pride. Songs, mythologies, and folk stories in Savara carry the community’s values and heritage.