One-day Regional Seminar-cum-consultation On Hmar Dialect In Manipur
Date : 14th May 2016

ONE-DAY REGIONAL SEMINAR-CUM-CONSULTATION ON HMAR DIALECT IN MANIPUR
A program funded by: Tribal Research Institute, Government of Manipur

BACKGROUND

The importance of language is essential to every aspect and interaction in our everyday lives. Language is obviously a vital tool. Not only is it a means of communicating thoughts and ideas, but it forges friendships, cultural ties, and economic relationships.

Throughout history, many have reflected on the importance of language. For instance, the scholar Benjamin Whorf has noted that language shapes thoughts and emotions, determining one’s perception of reality. John Stuart Mill said that “Language is the light of the mind.” Language, of course, is knowledge, and in our world today knowledge is one of the key factors in competitiveness. Brains and knowledge are what create the prosperity and growth we tend to take for granted. In an advanced industrial society in an increasingly interdependent world, the knowledge of other languages becomes indispensable. Just think of how the advent of the Internet has changed our lives. For the last few years, millions of people across the world, who share common interests, are able to communicate with each other and exchange ideas. Not only are they able to do this due to the various technological advances, but also because they share a common language.

For the linguist Edward Sapir, language is not only a vehicle for the expression of thoughts, perceptions, sentiments, and values characteristic of a community; it also represents a fundamental expression of social identity. Sapir said: "the mere fact of a common speech serves as a peculiar potent symbol of the social solidarity of those who speak the language." In short, language retention helps maintain feelings of cultural kinship.

The importance of communication can be often overlooked. Even with the ability to communicate with each other. Misunderstandings happen. Remember, communication is a two way street that should be embraced and not ignored. Believe it or not, some people can be arrogant to believe they can’t go to foreign countries without knowing anything of the language or culture of the people in the places they visit. The importance of language is beneficial regardless if you do it for fun or for your career or even just for personal travel. It is in this backdrop on the importance of language that the proposed program is built.

Manipur, located in the North Eastern part of India is characterized by considerable linguistic diversity and multilingualism as well.1 Although a very small state in the Indian Union, the diversity in language is one notable character of its inhabitants, which consists of various communities and tribes speaking their own dialects and languages. Many of these languages/ dialects are either under the Vulnerable, Definitely Endangered, Critically Endangered or Extinct list of UNESCO Atlas of the World’s Languages in Danger. The Hmar dialect is one of those endangered languages with an estimated user of only 50,0002.

With the very cultural identity and existence of the Hmar tribe of Manipur constantly under threats due to infringement and rights violations often committed upon them, the One-Day Regional Seminar-cum-consultation to be held on 14th May 2016 will directly address the position and status of Hmar dialect in protecting and promoting the rights of the community.

Objectives:

The proposed program is aimed at protecting, promoting and revitalizing the dialect of the Hmar peoples. Keeping in mind the fragile and precarious condition of the Hmar community and their cultures, the project has the following objectives and goals:

1. Strengthening the Hmars’ resilience to assimilation, loss of cultural identity by empowering and revitalizing their dialect;

2. Encourage women groups and youths to be the vehicle for such linguistic transmissions;

3. Create a gender and socially integrated population of active speakers (or users) of the dialect- both written spoken language;

4. Encourage the informal use of the language among people of all age groups and within families and bolster its daily use through.

1 The North East region of India is also home to almost 20% of all human languages, and therefore can be thought of as a ‘mega center’ for Indigenous Knowledge systems as well, and as a key site for the common heritage of many of the world’s human races (Living Languages and Troubled Tongues: Language Diversity and Endangerment in the Himalayas, Turin, Mark).
2 http://www.unesco.org/culture/languages-atlas/en/atlasmap/language-id-1232.html

PROGRAM STRUCTURE

Date : 14th May 2016
Venue : Tribal Research Institute, Chingmeirong, Imphal, Manipur
Time : 9:30AM

Organised by : Hmar Literary and Vernacular Committee, Imphal (HLVCI)
under the Aegis of Hmar Literature Society (HLS)
Seminar Coordinator : Dr. Immanuel Zarzosang Varte

Inaugural (9:30 AM - 10:00 AM):
Opening Prayer : Rev. Jonathan Infimate
Opening Song : Aw Kan Hmar Ram
Welcome Address : Pu Lalhminglien Ralsun
Session-I (10:00 AM – 12:00 PM):
Seminar on Hmar Dialect
Keynote Address & Moderator : Dr. Immanuel Zarzosang Varte
Resource Persons:
1. Pu Lalruoivel Pangamte
2. Pu Ramthienghlim Varte
3. Pi Zosangkim
4. Pu James Songrolal Songate
5. Prof. Laldena
6. Nunghak Lalhlimum
Pu Lalruoivel Pangamte : “Hmar \awng hrietchiengna le hmathl$rna” (Understanding Hmar Dialect and its Prospect)
Pu Ramthienghlim Varte : “Hmar \awng hmasawn d^n le an \hanglien pei d^n” (Hmar language and its development through the years)
Pi Zosangkim : “Hmar \awng hmasawn d^n ding lampui: Hmal^kpei d^n ding” (Development of Hmar dialect: The road ahead)

TEA BREAK(5 Minutes)

Pu James Songrolal Songate : “Hla thu le \awng hmang pangngai: A hmang d^n le hun” (Poetic and common language: Contextual usage)
Prof. Laldena : “Hmar \awng hmang le ziek d^n” (Spoken and written Hmar dialect)
Nunghak Lalhlimum : “|awng hi hnam a ni?” (Is a tribe defined solely by its dialect?)

LUNCH (12:00 PM – 01:00 PM)
Session-II (01:00 PM – 3:00 PM):
Consultation on Hmar Dialect
Moderator: Pu Darliensung
o Discussion and deliberation of Session-I
o Action Plan/ Declaration
Session-III (3:00 PM – 03:30 PM):
Closing
o Felicitation
o Vote of Thanks: Upa L. B. Sanga
o Closing Prayer: Pastor Ramenglien