Governor Dr. Ashwani Kumar and others during the launching function of FNL on June 15. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | June 15
In a move to promote Naga languages, a Forum on Naga Languages (FNL) was launched today in the presence of Nagaland’s governor Dr. Ashwani Kumar, Ura Academy President Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu and several others.
Addressing the inaugural function at the National Institute of Electronics & Information Technology, Meriema, Dr. Kumar congratulated the Linguistic Fraternity of Nagaland University, State Council of Educational & Research Training and Institute of World Languages (Ura Academy) Kohima for taking initiative to launch the Forum to undertake linguistic study of Naga languages.
The task, which this Forum has undertaken to accomplish, is very important for Naga society, for Naga culture and for peace and development of the state of Nagaland, he said. He was hopeful that the FNL will be able to produce a dictionary and improve the literacy and translation skills of Naga students and people.
Stating that Nagas were divided into warring tribes earlier, Dr. Kumar said, “According to me many times it is lack of understanding, the use of wrong or incorrect words and misinterpretation by the other party which leads to difference of opinions, exchange of hot words, fights and even wars.”
Linguistics can help solve such problems, he said adding that it can reduce differences of opinions and prevent fights, wars and bring peace by use of appropriate diplomatic language during interaction and negotiations.
He hoped that the FNL and the Linguistic Fraternity of Nagaland University will help narrow the differences of perception prevailing in various groups, factions and tribes.
Dr. Kumar said the efforts of linguistics would help harmonize the various dialects spoken in different parts of Nagaland and make one Naga language, which will fulfill the criteria of common language, the lingua franca.
Dr. Kumar said that Nagaland is very lucky that their leaders adopted English as the state language in 1967, adding that the task of the linguistic fraternity has been made easier because Nagas have already adopted the Roman Script and Arabic numerals, which are now internationally accepted.
Ura Academy president Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu in his speech recalled the Impur and Kohima Mission Schools, stating that elderly people who studied in these two schools can speak Tenyidie and Ao fluently even today.
“At one time, Ao language was the common language for the Nagas in the North though it was not declared and likewise Tenyidie in the South. Had that continuity been maintained, the situation would have been different today as far as language problems are concerned,” he said.
Today, young people cannot converse in their mother tongues beyond their boundaries. Therefore, they converse in Nagamese which is more or less circumstantial and not very healthy for the growth of local languages. As of today, Nagamese is a lingua franca and not a language, he said.
Development of various languages in Nagaland may be an interesting field of research from the linguistic point of view, he said but at the same time was cautious in observing from the practical point of view; we have to think more in terms of how to build a proper foundation for the coming generations, Dr. Shürhozelie maintained.
He said the formation of Linguistic Fraternity under Nagaland University was timely which may examine the language problems in its right perspective and bring out a roadmap for future development of Naga languages.
State Council of Educational Research & Training (SCERT) director Vipralhou Kesiezie while expressing concern over the usage and recognition of Naga languages, said Nagas in general today face a big threat in promoting or preserving their languages due to several factors which cause a point of concern.
He revealed that Tenyidie and a few more tribal languages are taught in some classes in the schools in Nagaland, however the percentage of students who opt for Mother tongue is as low as 10 to 20 per cent.
He said Naga tribal languages have been badly neglected and ignored for too long and fears that without timely action, most of the Naga languages would fall under the category endangered languages.
He suggested to the Nagaland University that the present Department of Tenyidie under Nagaland University should be upgraded to the Department of Naga Tribal Languages so that all tribes are given the opportunity to do research studies on the various Naga languages for further development and promotion of their languages.
He also suggested that the government should do away with Alternative English and make Mother Tongue as a compulsory subject at all levels of education.
Linguistic Fraternity coordinator Dr. Mimi Kevichüsa Ezung said that the Forum would conduct monthly talks based on research on the Naga languages.
It would also organise timely training programme for language teachers and officers at the schools and college level as well as create awareness of linguistic studies among all Naga tribes.
Dr. Pangersenla Walling, member Linguistics Fraternity NU made a power point presentation on Naga languages. The function was chaired by Prof. Lanunungsang, pro-vice chancellor Nagaland University, Kohima Campus, Meriema while welcome address was delivered by Dr. Metuo Liezietsu. Dr. D. Kuolie proposed vote of thanks.
