Nagaland
Native languages, food take backseat in Nagaland
Our Correspondent
Kohima, April 20 (EMN): Pointing out that a majority of writings on Naga folklore and translation works are being done in English, Dr. Mimi Kevichusa Ezung, Associate Professor and Head of Department of Tenyidie, Nagaland University, stated that this status quo needs to be broken and the rebirth of writing in the native language encouraged.
Speaking at the 10th Cultural Day of Baptist College Kohima on Wednesday, Ezung said that there are a minimum 90 indigenous linguistic entities spoken in Nagaland and this figure is speculative as it has been arrived at considering the 18 state recognised languages and five sublanguages each.
The state accommodates English as the official language and Nagamese as the lingua franca, while Hindi and Sanskrit have been included in the school curriculum.
Ezung said that according to the Census of India 2011, there are more than 1500 languages in the country,but only 122 are officially recognised and 22 classified as scheduled languages, while none from Nagaland is a scheduled language.
Sounding urgency for preservation of language, she highlighted various stages of language development- selection of language, graphitisation and codification. She lamented majority of the languages spoken in Nagaland still in the graphitisation stage. In this regard, she emphasised on giving equal importance to writing to that of speaking.
She pointed out the challenges and issues like rigidity in orthography enforced by the literature board are plaguing native writing and preventing authors from writing in indigenous language.
The linguist lamented writers in indigenous languages not enjoying the same respect as their colleagues who write in English. She asserted that publications by authors in indigenous language are productive but lack empowerment, while adding that writers whose books are adapted into the school curriculum do not benefit much as the books are photocopied by the students year after year.
She opined that at present, nothing is being done to encourage the publication of literature in local languages and authors resort to self-publishing, but this has its pitfalls in terms of quality.
‘It is sad to say that the stagnation of the book value chains has seen many texts diminish or out of print in the absence of back-up copies to sustain circulation,’ she stated.
She said the dormant languages are the non-recognised languages and are the ones that are the worst hit in this pyramid of language strata. She continued that people who speak such languages feel marginalised because nothing is being done to develop their language.
She also viewed that there are instances where subjugation from the dominant language groups is at play.
To overcome the orthography problem, she said writers should not be deterred but keep on writing if one has the skill and creativity, adding that the correction of written material can be done over time.
Dwelling on the problem of publishing books, she stressed on the need to digitise books and to market it on trending platforms. She also informed that the department of Tenyidie would take up the process of digitisation of textbooks in Tenyidie starting this year.
She went on to say that the state needs prolific authors involved in native writing, pro-active publishers, facilitative media, supportive government ministries and an interactive audience.
“The literature production on new indigenous writers needs to be promoted and recognised. The situation calls for stronger collaboration with academics, indigenous organisations, cultural and educational department and institution of higher learning,” she said.
She stated that priority must be given to dormant languages that are in danger of extinction and training of teachers; strengthen cultural promotions through workshops and courses in indigenous literacy and linguistic development.
‘You are what you eat’
Meanwhile, Rovi Chasie, former food and culture assistant manager at Ashok Group of Hotels, member of the Indian Prime Minister’s catering team and award recipient for promoting Naga cuisine, told the gathering that food is a dominant factor in one’s culture. “You are what you eat,” she said.
She observed that in Nagaland, food — as part of one’s culture — is not given the respect and importance it deserves when compared to other fields like music, dance, attire, ornaments, language etc.
She added that even in the government departments, there is very little space for food as part of arts and culture, except when local cuisines are used as a tool to entertain tourists, which she termed “very unfortunate”.
However, Chasie expressed happiness over academicians taking the issue and giving food the place it deserves. She said food plays an integral part of one’s life and is intricately intertwined with culture.
On the occasion, principal of the college, Dr. Kekuchol Pusa addressed the gathering while Kezhalielhou Zatsu, Convenor of Culture Study Centre, Baptist College, delivered the opening remarks.
There was an array of cultural presentations – songs, dance and narrative in mother tongue and also exhibition of various tribal cuisines.