Mokokchung, October 1: A seminar on the theme “Foundation and Development of Ao Language” was organised by the Ao Senden Literature Board (ASLB) at MMC conference hall, Mokokchung, on Saturday.
The resource persons were Dr. Chubatola Aier, Principal of C-Edge College, Dimapur; Dr. Pangersenla, Assistant Prof. Department of Linguistics, NU, Kohima campus, Meriema; and Dr. Temsunungsang, Assistant Prof. Department of Linguistics, English and Foreign Languages University, (EFLU) Shillong.
Dr. Chubatola Aier, while dwelling on the topic “History of Ao language –process of development –change-present scenario-positive & negative –trend for the future,” traced that the Ao “Oral Tradition” or “Pre-literate” was transformed to “written tradition” when British and America arrived in the Ao country.
Highlighting the historical growth of Ao literature from pre-literate to the present era, she maintained that it faced many setbacks during the growth of the language from the grassroots level. For the growth of a language, Dr. Chubatola said involvement of individual and family was important.She lauded ASLB, scholars, and writers for taking keen interest in the growth of Ao literature. She, however, cautioned the academician not to make ‘Latinate Fallacy’ while trying to standardise the language.
Dr. Pangersenla Walling, while speaking on the topic “Aspects of language change, maintenance and development,’ said a language is a tool for the society. She said as society progresses, language too progress along with it. She also explained on the aspects of language change such as lexical changes, phonological changes, spelling change and semantic changes as the society progresses.
Dr. Pangersenla also pointed out that research in one’s own language does not only benefit one’s own language but also benefit other languages.
Dr. Temsunungsang who spoke on the topic “What is language? Characteristics of language,” said standardisation involves four stages namely selection, acceptance, codification and elaborations. He said for the Ao language, selection and acceptance stages have been cleared and it is now in codification and elaborations process. The seminar was attended by Ao Senden executive council members, office bearers of Watsü Mungdang, Ao Students’ Conference and stakeholders.
