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MOKOKCHUNG — A seminar on the “Etymology of Ao language (Ao oshi angazukshiyim)” was organised by Asetkong Kaketshir Telungjem Mungdang (AKTM) at Senden Salang, Sungratsu village, Mokokchung district, on Monday.
I Temjen Tzudir, secretary of Ao Riju, an academy dedicated to preserving the Ao language, was the resource person.
Speaking on the occasion, Tzudir underscored that for any civilisation, race, or tribe, language is strength. For the Ao, it is a direct link to their origin, identity, culture, customs, and traditions.
In this context, he mentioned that being well-versed in one's own language allows a person to express their identity, culture, and traditions in other languages.
However, he lamented that the Ao language is still in its infancy in academic contexts and needs support from all fronts to bring it into the mainstream, allowing even foreigners to also pursue studies in the Ao language.
Tzudir also urged the student community to consider the current condition of the Ao language and to work on enhancing skills in its teaching and learning, as well as to support efforts to promote its use.
He emphasised the significance of the 8th Schedule of the Constitution and encouraged the gathering to research how a language's importance increases upon entering this schedule.
He asserted that while people laugh off mistakes made in English, they do not feel awkward or shy about errors in their own mother tongue. He suggested that without changing this attitude, it would be impossible to preserve the Ao language.
M Taka Longchar, chairman of Sungratsü Village Council, stressed the need for equal emphasis on both the Mongsen and Chungli dialects. He lamented that Ao speakers should be highly skilled in speaking and writing their own language, but many are still in the process of learning and relearning.