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Research ArticleArticles

Industrialization and Bilingualism in India

David Clingingsmith
Journal of Human Resources, January 2014, 49 (1) 73-109; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3368/jhr.49.1.73
David Clingingsmith
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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.

  • Received November 2011.
  • Accepted December 2012.
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Journal of Human Resources: 49 (1)
Journal of Human Resources
Vol. 49, Issue 1
1 Jan 2014
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Industrialization and Bilingualism in India
David Clingingsmith
Journal of Human Resources Jan 2014, 49 (1) 73-109; DOI: 10.3368/jhr.49.1.73

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Industrialization and Bilingualism in India
David Clingingsmith
Journal of Human Resources Jan 2014, 49 (1) 73-109; DOI: 10.3368/jhr.49.1.73
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  • Article
    • Abstract
    • I. Introduction
    • II. Economic Institutions and Language in Context
    • III. Data and Summary Statistics
    • IV. Empirical Specification, OLS Estimates, and Identification
    • V. Empirical Analysis
    • VI. Conclusion
    • Footnotes
    • References
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