Language is a fundamental bond that unites a people. We know that if we lose our mother language, we will lose our cohesion and, along with it, our identity. While it is always good to learn new languages, as many as possible, the need to build a strong foundation in the mother language first is of paramount importance. Our mother language is the carrier of our cultural heritage, and it is the unseen bridge that links the past with the present and the future. Our mother language is like a storehouse of our collective knowledge and wisdom which we have amassed since time immemorial. As such, protection, preservation and promotion of our mother language should be a people’s movement and not just the task of a few individuals.
The observation of International Mother Language Day on February 21 by various organizations, including ABAM and AKM, is a positive pointer that we are on the right track. It demonstrated that we are now aware of the importance and significance of our mother language. However, so much more remains to be done in our collective effort to protect, preserve and promote our mother language. With changing times, new challenges and changing needs are emerging every day. But so are the opportunities. Finding creative and innovative ways to promote our mother language among the youngsters is of utmost importance. Making use of technology, games, activities and the English language to aid the promotion of our mother language among the youngsters is now imperative.
At the same time, we should prepare to take full advantage of government policies, like the National Education Police (NEP 2020), as and when it is implemented, to promote our mother language. Nagaland has the distinction of being the “most linguistically diverse” state in India with English as the official language. It is, therefore, pertinent to note here that a ‘one-size-fits-all’ policy by the state government might not serve the purpose in as far as promoting our mother language is concerned. Further, the importance and relevance of the English language cannot be written off either. We must, therefore, find the balance.
Another thrust area should be to underscore the need to link mother language with jobs and livelihood. A whole new ecosystem must be created in order to open up avenues for those who are proficient in the mother language, to enable them to find jobs and make a living off their proficiency.
Meanwhile, as pointed out by Padma Shree Awardee, T, Senka Ao, on February 21, at the AKM program, uniformity in the zülumen (spelling) of Ao is a must. And, as rightly stated by Pokyim Jamir, on the same day, at MTBA, we cannot afford to be disunited. There are infinite number of ways in which we can improve, and we can achieve it all provided we remain a cohesive unit. If the Ao language is to be protected, preserved and promoted, it has to become a people’s movement.
Mokokchung Times