Shifting Paradigms of Multilingual Publishing and Scholarship in India

Abstract

The shifting paradigms of multilingual publishing and scholarship in India refer to the evolving trends and approaches in academic publishing and scholarly activities within a multilingual and diverse linguistic context. A growing body of work in digital humanities in last decade has addressed the problems of lack of geo-linguistic diversity (Galina, 2014) and language sensitivity (Spence and Brandao, 2021) while drawing our attention towards larger geopolitical factors that inform the development of global knowledge infrastructures (Fiormonte 2012). The research paper traces the historiography and offers a comprehensive analysis of the evolving landscape of multilingual publishing and scholarship in India. As a linguistically diverse nation, India has a rich tapestry of languages, each with its unique cultural and historical significance. This diversity has significantly influenced the paradigms of publishing and scholarship in the country. The study begins by examining the linguistic diversity of India and its impact on publishing. It explores the challenges and opportunities presented by a multitude of languages and scripts, highlighting the need for inclusive and accessible publishing practices. It investigates the role of technology and the internet in reshaping publishing and scholarship. It delves into the accessibility and reach of digital content in various languages, considering how these technological advancements have democratized knowledge dissemination. The study critically examines how the key facets like open access initiatives, digital publishing, community engagement, multilingual scholarship, and cultural preservation integrate the value of multilingualism into a more equitable and epistemically scholarly communication and publishing in India, hence, fostering inclusivity and promoting diverse knowledge systems. It then discusses a series of case studies with a special focus on Sindhi script OCR to investigate the need and importance of such mechanism in place for language inclusivity within a language-heterogeneous country. © 2024, University of Michigan Press. All rights reserved.