Language as a Medium of Cultural Heritage Preservation: A Narrative Review in the Context of the National Education Policy 2020

Abstract

Language serves as the fundamental tool for transmitting cultural knowledge, values, and identity across generations, making it essential for preserving cultural heritage in diverse societies. This narrative review examines the role of language in cultural heritage preservation within the framework of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, synthesizing evidence from 30 scholarly sources published between 2015 and 2026. NEP 2020 represents a paradigm shift by mandating mother tongue instruction up to Grade 5 (preferably Grade 8), revising the Three-Language Formula, and recognizing indigenous and tribal languages as legitimate mediums of instruction. The review reveals that mother tongue-based multilingual education (MTB-MLE) enhances cognitive development, strengthens cultural identity, and improves learning outcomes, particularly for marginalized tribal and linguistic minority communities. Evidence demonstrates that early mother tongue instruction facilitates conceptual understanding, preserves intergenerational knowledge transmission, and promotes educational equity. However, implementation faces significant challenges including inadequate teacher preparation, insufficient pedagogical resources in regional languages, infrastructural gaps, and socio-political resistance favouring English-medium education. The review identifies opportunities through digital technology integration, community-based curriculum development, and culturally responsive pedagogy. Successful implementation requires sustained investment in teacher capacity-building, development of quality bilingual learning materials, and collaborative frameworks involving policymakers, educators, and communities. This paper concludes that NEP 2020's language provisions, if effectively implemented, can transform India's linguistic diversity from a perceived barrier into a valuable asset for both cultural preservation and educational excellence.