Abstract

The Sora language, also known variously as Saora, Saura, Savara, or Sabar[a] is one of the most important Munda languages. The tribal name is known from the Sanskrit sources but has been applied to numerous people other than the Sora proper. The main concentration of Sora speakers are located in Ganjam, Gajapati, and Rayagada districts of Orissa, but speakers are found throughout this state and in the adjacent parts of northern Andhra Pradesh. It is difficult to gauge accurately the total number of speakers of Sora, but estimates vary between 150,000 and 300,000, but could be much more. In some areas with significant ethnic Sora populations however (e.g. Sambalpur district of Orissa) a language shift has occurred. Thus, Sora language appears to be endangered in some areas, but in others (e.g. Gumma block of Gajapati district), most women and children are monolingual Sora speakers.