By Marbareen Khonglam
Every year, Mother Language Day is celebrated across the world to honor the languages that shape our identity and connect us to our roots. Language is more than communication. It carries our traditions, memories, emotions, and history. It is the first language we hear at home — the one that makes us feel safe and understood. This day reminds us that protecting our mother tongue means protecting a part of who we are.
A mother tongue is not just grammar or vocabulary. It is the way our grandparents called our names. It is the language in which our grandparents told stories, our parents advised us, and our community expressed love and care. Through it, we learn our customs, values, and way of life.
Speaking our mother language gives us a sense of belonging. It connects us to our roots and strengthens our identity. When we speak it, we keep our culture alive. When we stop using it, we slowly lose that connection. A language is the soul of a community.
Today, many mother languages are slowly fading in Meghalaya and across India. Younger generations often prefer English or Hindi for education, work, and social acceptance. And some families even encourage their children to speak only these languages at home. As people move to cities for studies and jobs, they sometimes forget their village dialects. Small differences in pronunciation and local expression disappear over time and if this continues, many unique dialects may be lost in the future.
Since the Khasis make up about 48% of Meghalaya’s total population mostly in the Khasi Hills. Even though we are the largest community, our numbers are still small and that makes keeping our language alive very important. As a Khasi it worries me that if we stop speaking in our own dialects the Khasi language itself could slowly fade away. Preserving it isn’t just about words – it’s about keeping our culture, identity and heritage alive for the next generation.
As a young resident from Pynursla, Mother Language Day feels very close to my heart. In my village, we speak a dialect called War Pynursla — a little different from standard Khasi, full of expressions, words, and sayings unique to our community. It’s the language I grew up with, the one my parents and grandparents spoke, the one that makes me feel at home. For me, speaking isn’t just talking; it’s sharing a part of who I am, my roots, and the stories of my village. On this day, I feel proud to celebrate and to keep alive the dialect that is a part of me.
Even within Pynursla different villages have their own unique dialects. For example, in my village, where standard Khasi speakers say ‘U Briew,’ we say ‘U Brew’. For example in my village where standard Khasi speakers say ‘ U Briew’ we say ‘ U Brew’. Another common phrase ‘ Phi leh aiu?’, in our dialect becomes ‘ Ngino kam phi’. These small differences show just how rich and unique the language is even though people often say we all speak War. Each village has its own dialect expression words and ways of speaking making our language deeply tied to our community and identity.
To understand how others feel about their mother tongue, I spoke to a few people from different villages.
Julius Shanskhem Massar, 21, from Pynursla, said, “My mother tongue is Khasi. In our village, we speak War. I feel so good when I hear someone speaking the same language as me. Even far from home, it reminds me of friends and family.” His words show how language creates an instant sense of belonging.
Arbantei Massar, 25, from Nongtyngur, shared, “Some words are very special in our village. For example,the word ‘Shynnam’ and there’s also a popular song ‘Shynnam Shynnam’ — when it comes, everyone knows it, even the people from Shillong or from any other places they know it.” He also expressed concern about younger generations feeling shy to speak their language. “Feeling shy to speak our language is like feeling ashamed of where you belong,” he said.
Emma Kharbudon, 29, from Lyngkyrdem, shared a similar feeling. “My mother tongue is Khasi, and in our village we speak Dker. I feel so happy when I meet or hear someone speak the same language as me. Even when I study outside, meeting someone who speaks Khasi feels like home.” She explained that when you are away from your own people and suddenly hear your language, it gives you comfort and a sense of belonging. She also gives an example of the word in her place “Bileh” it means ‘Balei’ in standard Khasi
In Meghalaya and across India, Mother Language Day is observed through cultural programs, essay competitions, poetry recitations, storytelling sessions, and traditional song performances. Schools encourage students to speak their mother tongues and learn about their importance. Communities organize events that highlight regional languages and raise awareness about preserving them. These celebrations remind people that language is a living part of everyday life and must be protected.
Languages do not disappear overnight: they fade slowly when we stop speaking them. Our mother tongue carries our identity, culture and memories. Mother Language Day is not only a celebration but also a reminder that we must speak our language proudly and pass it on to our future generations because when we lose our language we lose a part of ourselves.
If we truly love our community we must speak our mother tongue proudly – at home with friends, with our children. Because the day we stop speaking it we lose more than words. We lose part of ourselves.
