Limakumla Jamir
Immanuel College, Dimapur
Language originates in a specific socio-cultural milieu as the first identity marker. It plays a key role in shaping the personality of an individual, his thought processes, and larger view of the life and world around. The language we first learn is the one that is used at home. Mother is the first to speak to the child and his/her interlocutor for almost all the time. This language, which is passed down through parents and grandparents is the mother tongue.
In the present context, transition is rapidly happening in our Naga society, and western education and culture has made such a profound influence on the young upcoming generation who are beginning to neglect their own mother tongue. In modern times, most may find themselves in places where fluency in their mother tongue is immaterial.
Lately, I’ve been observing that many young parents converse in English/Nagamese with their kids at home. It is not my intention to demean families who neither speak Nagamese or English nor discourage the usage of these languages in our society. But it is out of sheer concern of the receding use of our native languages. Adapting other foreign cultures or traditions which are alien to us and to me all these are misconceptions (in general).
Yes, we cannot deny the importance of the English language. We must give equal importance to the English language as well. After all, it connects us internationally. However, not knowing one’s mother tongue is like you are doing yourselves and your communities a great disservice because unwittingly we are signing the death warrant of our own identity and sense of belonging. Moreover, we have managed to do our part dutifully in the chain of events that will ultimately ensure that our mother tongue dies a rejected and lonely death and eventually become extinct.
Nagaland being a diverse state with so many cultures and dialects, it is important to preserve one’s mother tongue as it is the root of our culture and tradition and without it, one’s identity is completely lost. Mother language defines our roots and maintains a bridge amongst the members of a particular distinct language group. Fluency in our mother tongue builds a sense of pride and a good sense of identity of ourselves. It allows us to remain linked to our origins.
We need to realise that learning our mother tongue is also a vital part of our children’s education. At the moment, the solution for this crisis is to encourage and motivate the speaking of mother tongue constantly among the younger generation. When a person is well versed in their mother tongue in today’s connected world, it becomes easier to communicate and engage with the world in general and grow wonderful ideas that can lead the world from the front. You stand out from the crowd and lead the way by being bilingual.
