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Our Correspondent
Kohima, Nov. 27 (EMN): Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu on Friday expressed fear at the possible extinction of Naga dialects and languages if people don’t speak and promote them. He also maintained that even if Nagas don’t like, Nagamese has been endorsed so much that it will dominate their mother tongues soon.
He said this at the thanksgiving service held at Ura Academy Badi in Kohima. The occasion also marked 50th presidentship year of Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu for Ura Academy, a literally society committed for preservation and perpetuation of Tenyidie and Tenyimia culture.
Speaking on the theme “Tenyidie mhietsie nu dierhü,” (Tenyidie language policy), Liezietsu informed that “Ura Academy Dierhü Zho”, a language policy book wherein widely held opinions and views about Tenyidia language were discussed, was released during Tenyidie seminar in 2000.
He stressed on the need to contemplate the status of various Naga dialects and languages, reminding that about 90% out of 7000 languages spoken across the world at present are in danger of extinction, including Tuzantec language (Mexico) which is barely spoken by 100 people.
He said that Tenyidie, which had been firmly rooted, had grown because of the efforts and initiatives of the pioneers in preserving the language. He stated that like many popular languages that grew from the dialect of a community, Tenyidie started evolving from the common dialect spoken by the people around Mission Compound in Kohima. He added that early Christian missionaries, who settled at locality, began to write Tenyidie by listening to the dialect of the people around them.
Liezietsu said that many regard Tenyidie as the language of the Angami Nagas. However, he clarified that it was the foreigners who coined the name “Angami” while on their way to Assam via Nagaland from Manipur. Hence, it has become Angami now. He went on to say that Angamis still use the original terms like “Tenyie pfhenei” (Tenyie attire), “tenyidie”, “tenyi lhako” (tenyie rice), “tenyie tsütho” (tenyie hairstyle) etc.
He said that today the state government allows students to study mother tongues in school but that has the possibility of leaving the common language- Tenyidie. He stressed on the importance of learning Tenyidie along with one’s dialect, warning if Tenyimia children fail to study the common language and are concerned only about their mother tongue subjects, they would be required to study Assamese, Bengali, Manipuri or Nepali later as a compulsory Modern India Language (MIL), which would cause them much inconvenience.
Calling upon Tenyimia students to give priority to Tenyidie for their betterment, he said that it is both a ‘university and MIL’ now and can be used as the second language.
Chief guest of the event, Rev. Reiliebeiü (Beilieü) Shüya said that many have received benefits through Ura Academy. She disapproved the “backward and scheduled tribe” tag associated with Nagaland, saying that Nagas do not lack anything and should preserve the blessings God has bestowed upon their land.
Stating that countries and races have become “so jealous” about one another, she recalled how foreigners came to exploit Nagaland in the bygone days, and that many want to get closer to the land and its people.
Stressing on importance of Tenyidie, she asked students to respect and choose the language instead of Alternative English or other optional subjects in schools.
Shüya suggested that food be cooked in indigenous style during occasions, couples wear traditional attire instead of western outfits at weddings to maintain their identities and use traditional kitchen utensils for dining.
She also released “Ura Academy Dze” written by Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu; and “Daru Nhako” and “Nhicu Rüzhü 77-ko” by Vizonyü Liezietsu, during the occasion.
Meritorious awards were also given to four students: Dr. Neilhouzhü Kire Angami award to Thejavinuo Shüya; Rüzhükhrie Sekhose award- Khrietuonuo Kire; A Kevichüsa award – Medokhrienuo Khezhie; and Nini Vinguriaü Lungalang Award – Menuolenuo Linyü.
Earlier during the programme, Rev. Dr. VK Nuh unveiled a monolith in gratitude of Liezietsu. Later, the 50th Seminar of Ura Academy was also held with resource persons speaking on importance of language policy for Tenyidie.