Youths participating at the observation of International Mother Language Day held in Diphupar on February 21.
Ao bodies observe International Mother Language Day
Dimapur, February 22 (MExN): Along with the rest of the world, the International Mother Language Day was observed on Friday at Diphupar under the aegis of the youth of Ao Baptist Church Diphupar and Ao Students’ Union, Diphupar. It was observed under the theme “Our Language, our Identity,” with the Tir Yimyim Editor, K,Temjen Jamir as main speaker.
A press note informed that the program was conducted in two major Ao Mother tongues, Jungli and Mongsen by two comperes: Sakulemba Jamir and Merensangla Longkümer. Some selected youths had privilege to speak briefly in their own accents on various topics.
A play on the role of parents in teaching their children to speak their own mother language was performed by a youth group from Aoyimti Baptist church.
Speaking on the occasion, the Editor of Tir Yimyim, K Temjen Jamir acknowledged the valuable contribution made by Rev Dr Clark and his wife Mary Mead Clark in promoting Ao language as a medium to spread the gospel in Naga soil, even to the extent of publishing an Ao Naga dictionary in 1911.
Even after the death of Rev.Dr.Clark in Florida in 1913, Mary Mead Clark was so emotionally and spiritually attached to the Ao language that in 1914, while she was traveling by train from Florida to New York, she was seen singing a Hymn composed by her husband in the Ao language. It was great joy and delightful moment for the people around her, said K.Temjen Jamir.
“Our language is more than any other languge for the reason that it has proven as a powerful instrument that educates not only ourselves but enabling us to educate and liberate others in many dark corners of our land. That becomes our identity and heritage today and we are responsible to continue such pioneering and selfless effort without losing the value of our own mother language,” said the Editor, Tir Yimyim.
He also proposed to open Mother Language schools in urban areas where audio-visual teaching materials may be used and in order to make this project possible, he offered a sponsorship to talented young people to make educational animated films for nursery students in their Mother Language.
The International Mother Language Day is observed annually on February 21 all over the world, since 2000, to promote awareness on linguistics and cultural diversities and multilingualism. The date represents the day in 1952 when students demonstrated for recognition of their language, Bangali as one of the two national languages of the then East Pakistan. Four of them were shot and killed by the police in Dhaka, which is the capital of present day Bangladesh.
The day is celebrated in memory of the four students who were killed while fighting for their mother language. It was first announced by the UNESCO in 1999 and subsequently recognized by the United Nations.
In commemoration of the ‘International Mother Language Day ’, a mock Ao Primary school class was conducted at Diphupar. The program was organized by the Youth department of Ao Baptist Church, Diphupar and Ago Students’ Union Diphupar.
