Speakers at the Language Convention of Naga Languages launched at Ura Academy, Kohima.
Kohima, November 25 (MExN): A two-day Language Convention of Naga Languages was launched at Ura Academy, Kohima, organised by the Department of Tenyidie, Centre for Naga Tribal Language Studies (CNTLS), and the Department of Linguistics, Nagaland University, Kohima Campus, in collaboration with Sahitya Akademi (National Academy of Letters), New Delhi, and the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.
The event aimed to celebrate the rich oral traditions of the Naga people by providing a platform for all Naga languages from different districts of Nagaland to showcase their diverse and ancient cultural heritage, stated a press release from Peter Ki, PRO, Nagaland University.
The programme commenced with a welcome address by Dr Petekhrienuo Sorhie, Head of Department of Tenyidie, who highlighted that folklore serves as a reflection of a society's dreams, fears, and aspirations. In his inaugural speech, Dr N Suresh Babu, Deputy Secretary of Sahitya Akademi, encouraged the audience to reconnect with their roots, emphasizing the importance of conducting language conventions to preserve and protect cultural traditions and the heritage of languages. He further stressed the significance of using one's mother tongue.
Prof GT Thong, Pro Vice Chancellor of Nagaland University, Kohima Campus noted that Nagaland is the most linguistically diverse state in India, with 19 languages and 16 tribes, each with its own variations. He emphasized the need to raise awareness, document, and conserve the rich linguistic and cultural legacy of the Naga tribes.
The coordinator of the convention, Dr Mimi Kevichusa Ezung, delivered the keynote address, providing an overview of the linguistic situation in Nagaland. She outlined the objectives of the convention, which include ensuring that each tribe contributes a poem, a folktale, a lullaby, and a translated work to their existing literature by the conclusion of the event.
The inaugural programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr Imlienla Imchen.
