“Education is a holistic process where alphabet is the radical tool of education and in which literacy is one of its aspect”
Declaration: That the Naga Alphameric has been in laying doldrums for the last 25 years yet the long spelled of hibernation was rekindled by the American and Australian script development society in collaboration with Deakin university Australia and IIT Hyderabad to Unicode (Encoding) the script under international selection Sl. No. 5. This was spearheaded by Julian Raxam join director and research scholar who also had successfully encoded and digitalized Arunachal (Wongcho) script in 2019.
N Haisoyi Ndandang
Author, Naga Alphameric Easy Method
No wonder, necessity is the mother of all creation and invariably, the new Naga script known as Naga alphameric has its footing since 1999 where, the first comprehensive thesis was published in 2001 that ultimately lets to the first edition of “Naga alphameric easy method in 2003. This is because the author observed that the application of roman’s impromptu to our local dialect/languages doesn’t augur well for the simple reason that every tool is designed for a specific work.
Whereas, to make it systematically comprehensive from a vacuum is easier to say than put into practical shape, where graphical symbols representing alphabet should be synchronized with our inherent cultural value and similarly syllabification of each alphabet should be pro-Naga lingual usage as to catalyze its maneuvering power. Similarly, in view of the intricate procedures, planning and plotting endured through several months and years as to come into logical conclusion.
Background
Some incident in life becomes a force in the making of some useful thing only if we are aware of them, whereas, some other go unnoticed to be buried forever.
It was in the late seventieth, despite of the fact that I could be very naïve in translation work at that time, yet I have taken up to translate “God with us” (Children Bible) with colour picture illustrations into Zeme dialect. Whereas, as the work was in progress, I became more delirious with the Zeme linguistic entity to modulate certain word for words with the roman’s impromptu that lacking vowel supplement and consonant limitation that, prompted to change our own vocabularies as of today’s.
Nevertheless, somehow the booklet was translated and eventually printed on the life of Jesus and His parables. However, I was never satisfied with my work, because most of the Zeme original words are conveniently twisted to suit the roman’s impromptu cript. But why it should be impromptu? It’s because the letters and it syllabus are roman’s with modified syllabus inclined to the local dialect yet there crops up many shortfalls.
There onwards, I was deeply contemplating upon as to whether it would be viable to evolve a new script that would effectively maneuver all the intricate tribal dialects/languages. Invariably, it was in 1999 I’ve hit upon an idea to round up in third dimension inclined to Nagas’ culture and linguistic standing.
Derivation
Universally, every script has its fundamental derivation and family. Similarly, the derivation of the new Naga script has its basic based on our culture, custom and traditional usages, where you will find the pictorial symbols representing alphabets in both primary and auxiliaries having well attached with our cultural items as:- Shepherd’s crook, Gourd violin=Nrabung Wooden curved ornament = Nkangkie, Cotton spinner = Mpi, Spool = Nggok, Horn-cup = Kebuikie, Ginner = Nkum and Log-drum etc. Where, most of the alphabetical symbols are well resembled with the above cultural items that make it inherently appropriate in all aspect as a competent script.
Type’s family, that the script is wholesomely and harmoniously set with its curves and contour known as KERN and OFF-KERN and invariably one’s can maneuver flawlessly according to the tracing formula, where dragging is not possible as most of the letters ends on the left side. Thus, the writing appears neat and clean. Whereas, it may also be noted that the auxiliary components are the byproduct or extraction from the primary set that makes 38 letters in all. Please note also that the New Naga script is set completely different from any other national or regional script in the country and abroad.
Third Dimensional approach
The Naga alphameric is the only 3D script system in India as was declared by IIT Hyderabad in 2025. Where, the author made several attempt to round up with a single set of alphabet yet there crops up several lapses in modulating tribal tongues. Hence, it was prompted that without the backup power, our intricate linguistic cannot be appropriately negotiated. Thereon wards, 3D is the only option to proceed with the project.
Hereof, the terminology of 3D stands for “Third Dimensional approach” for it composite nature of the alphabet, having three section that makes a complete set for a purpose. This is considering the nature of various tribal dialects and languages. Thus, this unprecedented 3D becomes an indispensable component as to catalyze variable word modulation mechanism by the virtue of its combination.
Setting of 3D:
1. Primary set, consisting of 27 letters in all inclusive of consonants and vowels
2. Diphthong or secondary, consisting of 6 letters where two or more vowels from the primary set are clubbed into an entity to supplement deep and stretch words
3. Ligature or Tertiary, consisting of 5 letters, whose derivation is also from the primary set where two or more consonants are tied up to make an entity to supplement sharp and intricate vocabularies.
Primary: It is the radical set which syllabification has been consistently formulated in cordial with various linguistic entities especially the tribal Nagas
Diphthongal: This auxiliary vowels where, two or more vowels from the primary set were fused into an alphabet to supplement various deep and stretched words of the tribal languages.
Ligature: This tertiary of auxiliary component too has its derivation rooted to the primary set where, two or more consonants are clubbed to make an entity of alphabet, consisted of 5 letters to modulate intricate sharp pitches.
Vocabulary maneuvering power: Technically speaking, the 3D has been meticulously designed to negotiate the various intonation of human’s tongues by the combination of the three i.e. P+D+L=Product of sound (High tune, low tune and stretched words.
Technical interfaces: From the type’s character to syllabication, each and every part has its unique technical attachment as per the graphical illustrations in the Naga Alphameric Easy Method, that can only be understood by the research scholars that may not be really necessary for general lay people.
Promotional programs up till date: In line with any other national importance, where intellectual mass-based is paramount for any logical conclusion. And invariably, the new Naga script has traversed long and winding journey until the American and Australian script development society came forward to Unicode it, to put tribal Nagas’ dialect into standard languages. Means to digitalize the script into computerization and Mobil-phone interface facilities like any other nation having its own scripts.
The followings promotional programs were held through from the time of its inception and still under process with competent international platforms.
1. Validation seminars with Language’ officers (L.O.s) Directorate of school education Nagaland on 27th September 2002 (Three time consecutively)
2. Published through the north east FRONTIER magazine September 2002
3. Exposition meeting with Principal Secretary, department of school education on 11th June 2002
4. Published through PANORAMA magazine Shillong Meghalaya November 2002
5. Validation seminar with teachers’ community of Zeliang area at town hall, Peren town on 24th August 2004
6. Demonstration program through Door Darshan Kendra Kohima on 24th January 2002
7. Validation seminar with SCERT academic faculties Kohima Nagaland on 22nd February 2005
8. Screening program with Deakin University Australia, represented by Juliang Raxam research scholar on 12th July 2025 at Baptist Convention Center Kohima, in the presence of Advisory Board members Naga Alphameric society Nagaland.
9. Had signed undertaking agreement with Deakin university Australia by Advisory Board ‘s chairman K Elu Ndang on 10th September 2025
10. Confirmation of candidature: Ink & Identity; a comprehensive study of tribal script designs in the north east India, in the month of October 2025
11. Bimonthly teleconference with Deakin University from February 2026 till April 2027.
12. Demonstration program at Hornbill festival Kisama, with Hornbill TV interaction on 1st December 2025.
Proceeding with Deakin university Australia
Within the parameter and protocol of the script promulgation, the first validation was established with the seven members K Elu Nang Chairman; Rev Izieteilung Terieng General Secretary; Dr Hiabe Zeliang Treasurer; Pauleu Legisie Jury member; Igwanglia Teilia Simon Jury member; Ichulung Jury member; N Haisoyi Ndang Author.
Whereas, it may be noted that, under the advice of the Deakin University Australia, the same validation committee has been converted to Advisory Board with same members and official responsibilities therein.
That, the second edition of Naga Alphameic easy method was penned in collaboration with the Deakin university and was eventually released by the honorable Deputy Chief Minister of Nagaland TR Zeliang on 30th November 2025 who also unequivocally emphasized on the need of having a competent script to maneuver tribal languages.
National importance
No wonder, understanding the multiple and varied human-race the world over, having varied culture, socio political dimensions, varied socio economic and graphical positions, there cannot be a single common language for the whole world. Most people thought that English is the universal language but in practical it’s just a potpourri language, interlaced with many national languages. Similarly, there exists several scripts designed to suit their own mother’s tongues and of which those nations and countries having their own competent scripts are advancing not only in literature sphere but in all round of developments. Similarly, we the Nagas should adopt a script to suit our intricate tongues for the greater glory of our posterities. KUKNALIM.
(Please note that, like Arunachal script being adopted in schools by Wangcho and other tribes, we never meant to impose on all the Naga tribes, unless and until a particular tribe come forward willingly and to the willing tribes, they are most welcome and shall share our common ideological platform therein)
