* India's Linguistic Diversity: India is home to over 121 languages, many with only a small number of speakers.
* Data Collection Challenges: Accurate and comprehensive data collection on all languages is difficult, especially for smaller and less documented languages.
* Defining "Language": Determining what constitutes a distinct language versus a dialect is complex.
However, some languages in India with very few speakers include:
* Bhojpuri: While widely spoken, it's often considered a dialect of Hindi.
* Maithili: Also classified as a dialect of Hindi, but with a significant number of speakers.
* Santali: Primarily spoken in the eastern states, but with a relatively small number of speakers compared to other major languages.
It's important to remember that even languages with small numbers of speakers are vital for cultural preservation and linguistic diversity.