Rev. C.Walu Walling, ABAM Literature & Education Secretary, pronouncing a prayer with the original manuscript of the Ao Naga Dictionary compiled by Rev.Dr.EW Clarck in 1911. After 100 years of its first publication, ABAM is set to release the Second Edition of the dictionary on November 18, 2011, during the next ABAM Conference. (Morung Photo)
Mokokchung | February 27 : The first Christian missionary to the Ao Nagas, American Rev.Dr.EW Clark, was also the first person to compile an Ao Naga Dictionary. Clark mastered the Ao Naga dialect, which did not have any script
then. He developed the dialect into a language by introducing the Roman script. Clark was a Baptist missionary who spread Christianity among the Ao Nagas, yet his contribution towards development of Ao literature and education is undeniable.
Clark prepared a number of books in Ao language but his magnum opus is considered to be the Ao Naga Dictionary, the first dictionary of its kind containing 10,000 word entries published from the Baptist Mission Press, Calcutta in 1911. Ao Naga, which was only a spoken dialect with Clark’s contribution, has today become a written and standard language of the Ao community.
The Ao Naga Dictionary compiled by Clark in 1911, is now a hundred years old and in commemoration of this accomplishment, the Ao Baptist Arogo Mungdang has come up with a year-long programme. This year long programme kick-started today at Molungyimsen village organized by the ABAM Literature & Education Department. During the programme, held at Molungyimsen Baptist Church, it was made clear that the ‘Second Edition’ of the dictionary will be published this year itself.
Rev.C.Walu Walling, ABAM Literature & Education Secretary, while speaking at the function declared that the Aos could have ended up speaking a different language and writing in that script had Clark not
introduced the Roman script. He also declared that the Second Edition of the dictionary will be released on November 18 this year, during the ABAM conference. As part of the year-long programme, every Ao
Baptist church will be organizing various programmes and events.
Dr. Jamedi, ABAM Literature & Education Board member, delivered the Word of God during the service held today at Molungyimsen, which was chaired by Dr. Imlirenla Walling, also member of ABAM Literature & Education Board.
then. He developed the dialect into a language by introducing the Roman script. Clark was a Baptist missionary who spread Christianity among the Ao Nagas, yet his contribution towards development of Ao literature and education is undeniable.
Clark prepared a number of books in Ao language but his magnum opus is considered to be the Ao Naga Dictionary, the first dictionary of its kind containing 10,000 word entries published from the Baptist Mission Press, Calcutta in 1911. Ao Naga, which was only a spoken dialect with Clark’s contribution, has today become a written and standard language of the Ao community.
The Ao Naga Dictionary compiled by Clark in 1911, is now a hundred years old and in commemoration of this accomplishment, the Ao Baptist Arogo Mungdang has come up with a year-long programme. This year long programme kick-started today at Molungyimsen village organized by the ABAM Literature & Education Department. During the programme, held at Molungyimsen Baptist Church, it was made clear that the ‘Second Edition’ of the dictionary will be published this year itself.
Rev.C.Walu Walling, ABAM Literature & Education Secretary, while speaking at the function declared that the Aos could have ended up speaking a different language and writing in that script had Clark not
introduced the Roman script. He also declared that the Second Edition of the dictionary will be released on November 18 this year, during the ABAM conference. As part of the year-long programme, every Ao
Baptist church will be organizing various programmes and events.
Dr. Jamedi, ABAM Literature & Education Board member, delivered the Word of God during the service held today at Molungyimsen, which was chaired by Dr. Imlirenla Walling, also member of ABAM Literature & Education Board.
