Four in 10 indigenous languages at risk of disappearing, warn UN experts
Girls from an indigenous community read outdoors at Ban Pho Primary School in Bac Han District in remote Lao Cai Province, Vietnam. (Photo Courtesy: UNICEF)
Morung Express News
Dimapur | August 8
Of 7,000 indigenous languages spoken today, four in 10 are in danger of disappearing, UN human rights experts said on Wednesday, in a call for a decade of action to reverse the “historic destruction” of age-old dialects.
In an appeal to mark the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples on Friday (August 9), UN-appointed experts said that “nation-building” had been largely responsible for “ongoing discrimination” against native speakers.
“Over time, such policies can undermine and effectively destroy a culture and even a people”, the experts cautioned, before insisting that indigenous languages allowed freedom of expression and conscience that are critical to people’s dignity, culture and political representation.
The experts – who include panels that report to the Human Rights Council (HRC) and the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), along with a UN-appointed investigator known as a Special Rapporteur, commended States that support a Decade of Indigenous Languages.
“Ten years would provide the time and resources necessary to reverse the historic destruction of indigenous languages and reclaim these languages for the future of indigenous peoples and the world community, alike,” they said.
In line with a special UN Declaration, indigenous peoples everywhere are recognized as having the right to revitalize, use, develop and transmit their languages to future generations. Importantly, this includes the right to establish and control education, media, and the institutions that govern them, the UN-appointed independent experts noted.
“We call on UN member States to recognise, protect and promote indigenous languages through legislation, policies and other strategies in full cooperation with indigenous peoples,” the experts said, underlining the need for “sustained support for bilingual and mother tongue education…access to health, employment, judicial and other public services in the languages of indigenous peoples, including through cyberspace and the internet.
Naga indigenous languages
vulnerable to extinction
Out of over 6,900 languages worldwide, UNESCO has recognised 900 Indian languages, amongst which 197 are endangered, of which 80 are from northeast India. In the 20th century, 5-6 Indian languages became extinct. One such case is from Assam, where Ahom or Tai Ahom, the language spoken by the great Ahom Dynasty has fallen into disuse.
In the list, many Naga languages have been classed as “vulnerable,” where many speak the language but are restricted to certain domains. With globalisation and shift in socio-cultural-political dynamics, Naga languages and dialects may be going through the initial stage of endangerment and some on the verge of extinction.
There are around 90 indigenous languoids spoken in Nagaland in which 18 languages are recognised. Out of the 18 languages, four—Tenyidie, Ao, Lotha, and Sümi—are taught till class 12.
According to Dr. Mimi Kevichusa Ezung, the head of the department of Tenyidie in her paper, “Status of the Languages in Nagaland: An introspection,” the state accommodates English as the official language, and Nagamese as the lingua franca, a language that is adopted as a common language between speakers whose native languages are different.
Nagamese is a first language for some native Nagas means that these natives no longer speak any of the languages,” Ezung’s report also pointed out while observing that the language scenario in the state calls for good language planning, for a language policy can either worsen or improve the growth or existence of a language.
Today is World Indigenous Day
9 August commemorates the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. It is celebrated around the world and marks the date of the inaugural session of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations at the United Nations in 1982. This year’s theme is Indigenous Languages and will focus on the current situation of indigenous languages around the world within the framework of the 2019 International Year of Indigenous Languages.
Govt to set up Institute of Naga languages
Our Correspondent
Kohima | August 8
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today said that the government is setting up an Institute of Naga languages. However, a definite time frame cannot be made at this juncture, he added while replying to a starred question raised by MLA Dr. Chotisuh Sazo on the number of Local (Naga) language approved for taking up in the school upto class X and above.
Rio replied that four Naga local dialects were approved and 18 local dialects were approved upto elementary school level as a subject.
On tribal literature board seeking government approval for their languages to be taken up in the secondary school level, Rio said there are 13 such as Chang, Chokri (Chakhesang), Khezha (Chakhesang), Pochury, Sangtam, Yimchunger, Khiamniungan, Phom, Konyak, Rengma, Zeme (Zeliang), Liangmai (Zeliang) and Kuki.
Replying to a supplementary question raised by MLA Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu on how much funds are being provided by the Government of India for promotion of Tribal Language & Research, School Education, school education advisor KT Sukhalu said no fund is provided by the Government of India for promotion of Tribal Language & Research.
Later, Rio maintained that there is some negligence over the years.
He said the department will invite the respective tribe literature board to work out the necessity on promotion of tribal languages. Rio assured that those languages which are yet to be included will be studied and make necessary inclusion.
