To commemorate the International Decade of Indigenous Languages (IDIL) 2022-2032, the Department of English and Communication, Martin Luther Christian University organized a one-day seminar on the topic “Language Endangerment” with the aim to draw a wide-reaching attention on the various issues faced by indigenous speakers.
The objective of the event is to engage modern discourse on the preservation, revitalization, and promotion of indigenous languages and cultures and to incorporate the linguistic diversity and multilingualism aspects into sustainable development.
Deputy Director of the Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL), Mysuru Prof. Umarani Pappuswamy in her keynote address stressed on the need to highlight culture and traditions including languages. She said there are considerable methods and approaches to preserve the indigenous languages by using data elicitation techniques, sources and materials such as multifunctional documentations like audio/video data, digital photographic data, and other such resources. These can ensure accessible data to future generations she said, adding, “Language and cultural documentation go hand in hand”.
Dr. Lalnunthangi Chhangte, an independent Linguistics researcher stated that “social and political aspects can greatly affect language endangerment”. She stated that ignorance and apathy towards the encroachment of modernisation and also westernisation on most area of indigenous lifestyles has played a large role in the endangerment of languages.
NEHU Assistant Professor Dr. Barika Khyriem provided a comprehensive talk on the status of Austro-Asiatic Languages in India and concluded by using the Khasi adage “Im ka ktien, im ka jaitbynriew” conveying the message that when a language lives, a community lives.
EFLU Assistant Professor, Dr Temsunungsang spoke about the importance of being proactive with communities and of the need to raise awareness of the critical situation of the indigenous languages at the community level, and that events such as the International Decade of Indigenous Languages(IDIL) can help to educate and create enough voice to help preserve.
The seminar was also attended by MLCU Vice Chancellor, Prof. T K Kharbamon, faculty and students of the Department of English and Communication and other departments of the university.
