Efforts to save native languages

Anjali Nauriyal

According to a survey conducted by UNESCO on the languages of the world, many tongues are faced with annihilation. Some of them have been in existence for thousands of years and have been the only medium of expression for many marginalised and other communities and in many ways represent their culture and history. The survey states that many languages will disappear in the coming years. UNESCO has declared February 21 as the International Mother Language Day so that efforts to preserve and propagate the mother languages of the world could be initiated and languages on the verge of extinction, be salvaged.

Keeping this burning concern in mind, DHAD, Lokbhasha Unit of Uttarakhand, organized a symposium earlier this year on 'Future of Lokhbhasha in Uttarakhand'. Amongst the participants were Dr. Savita Mohan, Director, Uttarakhand Bhasha Sansthan, and Tarkandra Vaishnava apart from many other eminent scholars.

They discussed threadbare the status of the three main languages of Uttarakhand, i.e., Garhwali, Kumauni and Jaunsari and presented their views on the different aspects of the concerned languages. The participants were unanimous on their observation that our languages are being gradually but surely being pushed to the path of annihilation.

The main reasons underlined were lack of governmental support, social neglect, and lack of proper documentation. This is a terrible and deplorable condition, which needs immediate attention. Both the government and the public must join hands to save their Lokbhashas of Uttarakhand.

The proceedings of the symposium have been formalised in book form now.

The book titled 'Lokbhashaon ke Nimitt: Reference Uttarakhand' was released by Lokesh Nawani, chairman of Dhad recently. The book is edited by Santosh Gairola and Kamla Pant.

"Saving our mother languages is our own responsibility and we cannot entrust this responsibility to others," avers Tanmay of DHAD. "Hope we do not restrict ourselves to merely celebrating February 21as International Mother Language Day," states Santosh Gairola, another member, adding, "Instead we must pave the way for creating a strong future base for our languages."

Experts made many recommendations for the development of these languages…

* Garhwali and Kumauni should be included in the eighth schedule of the Constitution.

* Academies of Garhwali and Kumauni should be established so that research can be conducted on these languages.

* Arrangement should be made for the publication of standard literary works and rare manuscripts.

* Research facilities and dissemination mechanism should be created in the universities for these languages.

* Arrangement should be made to give Gyanpeeth like award to meritorious scholars.

* Worthy writers should be rewarded and honoured.

* Literature compilation of language of Uttarakhand (a) Lok shahitya (b) original literature.

* Re-survey of languages of Uttarakhand (a) Kumaoni Dialect(b) Garhwali Dialect

* Determination of official language of Uttarakhand (a) Reading of all dialects of Uttarakhand (b) consent of linguists and promotion to language literature (a) publication (b) experimentation.

* Incentive to linguists and litterateurs (a) literature publication- financial help (b)prize (c) pension.

* Sincere efforts should be made in the direction of making standard dictionary and determination of Grammar of Kumauni, Garhwali language and for this purpose a panel of experts of this field should be constituted.

* Language should be connected with employment.

* It should be taught from primary to PHD level.

* A thorough research should be conducted on the Jaunsari language script and grammar.

* Compilation and publication of Jaunsar area related ancient literature.

* Compilation and publication of literature of old authors like Gumani and

Maularam.

* Provision of fund should be done for the development of regional dialect.

* Provision of financial aid to standard publication.

* Dissemination should be done among people for the propagation to these language through different awareness programmes.