SHILLONG: The Bhasha Research and Publication Centre, Baroda, headed by Prof Ganesh Devy has taken initiative under People’s Linguistic Survey of India(PLSI) project to conserve endangered languages in India and two Meghalaya volumes containing variations of Khasi and Garo will be released during the CALM festival on Thursday at 5 pm.
Started in 2010, PLSI will bring together, for the first time since George Grierson’s Linguistic Survey of India in early 20th century, information on every Indian language in existence.
In the two Meghalaya volumes, the National Volume includes an English translation of all the Khasi and Garo varieties. The second State Volume, documented varieties of Khasi and Garo translated into the standard Sohra variety of Khasi and the A?we variety of Garo.
According to Esther Syiem who was involved in the translation, the occasion is historic for the people of the state as no such documentation has ever been attempted before. The volumes have been the result of a collaborative effort that comprised people from all walks of life: teachers, professionals, activists, daily labourers, villagers and priests.
“Speech communities like the Biate from the Jaiñtia Hills have a place in the volume. Others like Chibok in the Garo Hills and Darrang in the Jaiñtia Hills that have only a handful of speakers, have also been documented.
The actual work started on December 22, 2011 with the first meeting of the PLSI members from Meghalaya. The team consisted of Esther Syiem Badaplin War, Juanita War, Marbhador Manick Khymdeit, Tyngsaiñ Dewkhaid, Baljuda War Nongbri and Joshwalin Lyngdoh Sangriang; from the Garo Hills, Caroline Marak, Dokatchi Ch. Marak, Angela Ingty and Amanda Aski Macdonald Momin.
List of Languages and their Varieties covered in the Meghalaya PLSI Volume
Khasi Language and some Varieties of Khasi Language are Darrang, Khadar Blang, Langrin Lasaapngar, Lyngngam, Mairang, Maram, Mawpen, Mawsynram, Mnar Nongbri, Nongkrem, Nongshken, Nongtalang, Phlangwanbroi, Pnar, Umladang, Umñiuh Tmar, War Shella and Warding.
Garo language and some varieties of Garo language included are A.we,A·beng, Atong,Chisak andMatabeng. Other languages included are Biate, Hadem, Marngar, Mikir and Tiwa