<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by B747-437B:
For starters, there is no such thing as "the language" in India. There are more languages here than I care to remember, and most of 'em have nothing in common with each other.
A language that works in Chennai in the South (Tamil) will have no takers in Delhi (Hindi). Similarly the language in Mumbai (Marathi) will have no speakers in Kolkota (Bengali).
The most common lingua franca in India, especially for tourists, is English. Signs are virtually all in English and there is always someone who speaks and understands the language, even in the strangest places.</font>
"the language" in India depends on what part of the country you are in, but there definitely is "the language" (native language of the area)where ever you are. True, you can find english speaking guides everywhere. But to get to the soul of India, one has to get in touch with someone who speaks english and "the language".
BTW, Hindi is the de facto national language of India, whether it is palatable to you or not.