Seminar underlines importance of regional literature in natl integration

SHILLONG, March 9: A two-day-long national seminar on the ‘Role of Translation and Comparative Study of Regional Literature in the process of National Integration’ was organised by the Department of Languages, Sankardev College, Shillong, which culminated on Saturday. The eminar was sponsored by the ICSSR (NERC).
Altogether, there were 25 paper presenters from across the North Eastern region.
The keynote address was delivered by Prof Desmond L Kharmawphlang, Professor, Department of Cultural and Creative Studies, NEHU.
In his address, Prof Kharmawphlang spoke about the importance of research and publication in Translations, Comparative studies and National integration, being three distinct areas, which will provide meaningful insights into the cultural milieu of this country.
He further highlighted how tribal languages have many examples of what is technically called “onomatopoeia”, meaning “the word denoting a sound”. Khasi language is one such language rich in Onomatopoeia, He also stated that some words spoken twenty-five years ago are now becoming extinct from usage, especially by the younger generation. He referred to the ‘Agora’, a marketplace where Plato used to teach. The markets then were the arena of learning and artistic communication and the same in the Indian culture, where the marketplace becomes the focal point for intelligent conversation, discourse and social interaction.
He concluded his speech by saying that “literature has no place for hatred, jealousy and competition. Literature has a place for love and for that, we should embrace these values and make them part of us as scholars”
Prof TK Bamon, Vice Chancellor, Martin Luther Christian University, who was the resource person, spoke on the technicalities and intricacies of translations in research. At the inaugural programme, college Principal Dr Eureka FP Lyngdoh delivered the welcome address, while Dr Parag Nath and the faculty from the Department of Languages coordinated the programme.