SHILLONG, April 5: A one-day seminar was organised by the Department of English and Communication of Martin Luther Christian University (MLCU), drawing attention to issues aplenty faced by indigenous speakers.
According to a statement, the seminar was organised on the topic ‘Language Endangerment’ to commemorate the International Decade of Indigenous Languages (IDIL) 2022-2032.
“The objectives of this one-day event were to engage in 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,” the statement said.
Deputy Director of Central Institute of Indian Languages, Mysuru, Prof Umarani Pappuswamy, who was part of the seminar, stressed on the need to highlight one’s cultures, traditions and languages.
She said there are considerable methods and approaches to preserve indigenous languages.
Prof Pappuswamy said using data elicitation techniques, sources and materials such as multifunctional documentations like audio/video data, digital photographic data and other such resources can ensure accessible data to future generations.
“Language and cultural documentation go hand in hand,” she added.
Dr Lalnunthangi Chhangte, an independent Linguistics researcher, in her address, apprised the gathering of the social and political effects on language.
She also attributed the endangerment of indigenous languages to modernisation and westernisation.
Others who were part of the seminar include educators from NEHU Shillong and EFLU Shillong, MLCU Vice Chancellor Prof TK Kharbamon, and faculty and students of MLCU.