By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The Don Bosco Centre for Indigenous Culture (DBCIC), Mawlai in collaboration with the Department of Linguistics, North Eastern Hill University and the Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL), Mysore, is organising a three-week workshop on teaching Khasi to non-Khasi speakers.
The workshop was inaugurated by NEHU Vice-Chancellor, Prof AN Rai, on Tuesday.
In his inaugural address Prof Rai stressed on the need to enjoy and love the learning of language as this will help everyone to appreciate myriad cultures. Sharing his life’s experiences, he dwelt on the importance of the learning of a language. He spoke of an unstructured formula that is needed in the learning of a language.
“There is no structured formula to learn a language. Unstructured way of conversation quickens our learning capacity of speaking and conversing in a language,” he said.
Fr. Barnes Mawrie, an expert in Khasi language and culture, was the guest of honour for the inaugural session.
Adressing the gathering, he stressed on the importance of learning Khasi in particular in the State. He encouraged the participants to make use of the three-week opportunity to learn Khasi.
“Knowledge of Khasi will help you in your day to day conversation,” he told the gathering.
Prof. Juanita War, Dean of the School of Humanities, NEHU, observed that language learning involves risk taking.
Sharing the anecdote of a child who imitates the teacher in the learning process, Prof. War was able to draw the attention of the participants on the need to be guided in the learning of a new language.
Dr. Umarani Papuswamy, HOD, Linguistics, NEHU, designed the classes with the help of a team of teachers.
In her speech she underlined the importance of learning the language well. She encouraged the participants to make use of the opportunity provided to them. Dr Umarani was confident that with the help of qualified teachers from the University, the participants would enjoy and gain from the workshop.
Earlier, Rev Fr. Joseph Puthenpurakal, Director of DBCIC, welcomed the gathering and said that generous and hard working spirit seen in the planning of the workshop will lead every participant to gain from it. Fr. Manoj Churuliyil, Asst. Director of DBCIC, proposed the vote of thanks.
