The most important tool of communication is language but the quality of language depends on the natives how they developed and promote their dialectical form of communication into language. This is because; every popular language the world over today had gone through defining and refining through the test of time by the eminent intellectuals and this we called standard medium of communication. Therefore, technically speaking certain pre-requisite criteria becomes a must for a dialect to be promulgated into language that inclusive of; 1.Consistency of grammatical structure of a particular tribal language. 2. Consistency of phoneme and phonemic structures of words for word. 3. Syllabification of script inclined to the local dialect especially, impromptu script from the roman if at all we have to apply this very script for all the time to come. 4. Defining intonation for similar words and fundamental pronunciation. 5. Constituted dictionary approved by respective tribal literature committee. 6. Having sufficient study materials or the possibility of acquiring in its own dialect.
The 13 aggrieved Naga tribes literature meeting was held at Zonal Council hall Kohima on the 21st July 2016 where I was the only one from Zeme literature committee representing Zeme of North East India, the three states of Nagaland, Assam and Manipur beside the LO Mr.Pauleu (In-service), the meeting was congenial and impressive with its pro-tem chairman Dr. Ditsolo Kapfo who minutely explained our legitimate rights and the reflection of the state govt. and the nuance of our grievances, where it was conclusively decided to appeal the state govt. of Nagaland in more pragmatic approach as to come to a logistical conclusion.
Nevertheless, the present heartburning issue raised by the 13 aggrieved tribes cannot be easily brushed aside on the excuse of financial constrain as was indicated by the state govt. in its reply to the first memorandum when the other four major tribes namely Ao, Angami, Lotha and Sumi are enjoying the privilege of language status for that long, imparting M.I.L. in their own mother tongues. Whereas, the rest of the 13 tribes had been systematically kept in abeyant for that long despite of several reminder to the state govt. of Nagaland which in other word is akin to “Until the child cried hoarse no appeasement comes” is not in the best interest and taste of the Naga public. However, this doesn’t means the 13 tribes are against the aforementioned four tribes but asking for our legitimate rights only. Wherein, the aggrieved 13 tribes also should understand that the four tribes had gone through the procedural criteria as stated here and on fulfilling they have come to this extent so also we should also do our parts likewise.
Invariably, in confluence with the Indian national policy of promoting M.I.L. and in tune with our legitimate rights, the state govt. should come up with pragmatic solution in the greater interest of all the stakeholders of the Nagas. More so, fund constrain shouldn’t be the main hindrance factor, for it is the well-known fact that such an entity comes under the Ministry of human resource and development where the financial workout will not be a big problem if our decision makers have the gut and commitments.
Therefore, the following points and criteria may be substantiated if at all, all the Nagas’ diaclects are to be scheduled into language status;
1. The feasibility of study’s material in own tribal language up to graduation.
2. Whether there exist substantiated dictionaries and grammatical structures and own language and any other existing published genre of book in own dialect approved by the respective literature committee.
3. Whether the application of our impromptu script derived from the roman script is competent enough to maneuver all the intricate nuance of the tribal dialects.
4. Whether uniform write up story, genre will be translated into all the tribes’ dialect or to be independently source out by each tribe according to their liking or whether N.U. has to undertake the responsibilities.
5. Whether to enforce the linguistic subject only within that tribe’s jurisdiction if so subject teachers be appointed in all the high-school, higher secondary schools and colleges from that community only with qualified personals. Whereas, if it has to be taught to all it tribal students elsewhere such as St. Joseph college it will be necessary to appoint 13+4=17 subject teachers which could lead to technical problems.
No wonder, this write up is purely my personal opinion and has nothing to do with the newly form forum “Naga tribal literature board” and should there be any abrasively overtone expression I am always ready to own up the responsibilities and join the mainstream as a bona fide member.
