ABSTRACT
The dominant languages like Telugu, Kannada, Tamil and Malayalam are pre-dominantly used in south India. These languages have constitutional and state support. Among the south Indian nomadic and denotified tribes, Yerukulas occupy an important position. Found in almost all districts, they have their own language though not a script. The vocabulary used by Yerukulas and Koravas appears to be derived from other south Indian languages such as Tamil, Telugu and Canarese. Without language, accumulation and transmission of cultural knowledge that differentiates humans from other animals could not have been possible. There is thus close link between culture and language. Information on languages of wandering and nomadic communities was collected from the 1881 census onwards. The purpose of language is to provide opportunities to tribals and bring psychological integration with the rest of society. But tribal languages and tribal cultures are ignored in our society.
