Dr. Kekhrielhoulie Yhome, B Tingshem Konyak and others at the general session-cum-general body meeting of the Association of Nagaland Literature Boards in Kohima on Friday. EM Images
KOHIMA — Advisor for School Education, Dr. Kekhrielhoulie Yhome on Friday underscored the importance of preserving and promoting indigenous languages, describing them as the foundation of identity and calling for greater institutional support, academic collaboration and community participation to ensure their survival.
He was addressing the general session-cum-general body meeting of the Association of Nagaland Literature Boards (ANLB) held at Platinum Hall, NBCC Complex, Bayavu Hill, Kohima.
Stating that language is central to human identity, Yhome said it is particularly significant for minority communities such as the Nagas.
He said the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, through its three-language formula, provides an opportunity to strengthen mother tongue education at the foundational level.
He said the School Education department has identified schools according to their linguistic composition and has ensured that primary teachers are posted in their respective language areas to create an environment where children are exposed to their mother tongue from the time they enter school.
However, the advisor noted that the department is presently unable to appoint language teachers due to the lack of recognised academic qualifications in several tribal languages.
He said the introduction of postgraduate programmes in indigenous languages through institutions such as Ura Academy and Nagaland University would enable the government to recognise such qualifications for future recruitment.
Yhome stressed that language development requires institutionalisation, standardisation and scholarly engagement. He called upon literature bodies to organise seminars and discussions to address challenges related to language development, translation, orthography and standardisation.
Referring to recent debates over Bible translations in some Naga languages, he said translation must follow scientific methods and involve trained linguists and language experts to avoid unnecessary disputes. He informed that the department has initiated collaboration with the Department of Linguistics at Nagaland University to strengthen language development.
He also highlighted the cognitive advantages of multilingualism, stating that Naga children naturally grow up speaking multiple languages, which is an advantage rather than a disadvantage.
Contrary to common misconceptions, he said exposure to several languages enhances a child's learning abilities and prepares them for wider opportunities while preserving their cultural identity.
The advisor said the State Curriculum Framework is being developed with a strong focus on promoting tribal languages alongside English. While English remains important for global communication and employment, he said mother tongues are indispensable for preserving identity, culture and heritage.
Earlier, Additional Director of the Directorate of School Education, Deenabandhu Panda, said the department's efforts over the past years have resulted in the introduction of languages of all Naga tribes in schools.
He informed that from the current academic year, tribal languages have also been introduced from Class IX onwards.
Panda said the initiative is the outcome of the collective efforts of literature boards, the education department and the public, in line with the National Education Policy, which emphasises preservation of indigenous languages and cultures.
Delivering greetings, Ura Academy vice-president Daso Paphino highlighted the historical development of Tenyidie. He recalled that American missionary Rev. Sidney W Rivenburg introduced the Tenyidie alphabet after arriving in Kohima in 1887 and laid the foundation for formal education in the language.
Paphino said Tenyidie received recognition from North Eastern Hill University in 1988 for the pre-university level and was introduced under Nagaland University in 1997. He informed that the university has so far produced 330 postgraduate degree holders and nine PhD graduates in Tenyidie, with 17 more scholars currently pursuing doctoral studies. The language is presently taught in seven colleges across Nagaland.
He also noted that Tenyidie has a rich literary tradition, including the 50-year-old monthly magazine Ura Dze, four other monthly publications managed by churches and the daily newspaper CAPI.
Earlier, welcome address and introduction was delivered by B Tingshem Konyak, president of ANLB. The programme was led by S Akho Leyri, vice president, ANLB, and vote of thanks was tendered by Chegeseng Kath, Gen. Secy. ANLB.
