Industrialization and Bilingualism in India

• Autores: David. Clingingsmith
• Localización: Journal of human resources, ISSN 0022-166X, Vol. 49, Nº 1, 2014, págs. 73-109
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • Abstract:Bilingualism is a distinct and important form of human capital in linguistically diverse countries. When communication among workers increases productivity, there can be economic incentives to learn a second language. I study how the growth of industrial employment increased bilingualism in India between 1931 and 1961. During that period, Indian factories were linguistically mixed. I exploit industrial clustering and sectoral demand growth for identification. The effect on bilingualism was strongest in import-competing districts and among local linguistic minorities. Bilingualism was mainly the result of learning, rather than than migration or assimilation, and was not a byproduct of becoming literate. My results shed new light on human capital investment in developing economies and on the long-run evolution of languages and cultures.