UKHRUL: The Naga Scholars Association (NSA), New Delhi, hosted the fourth edition of its Insight Lecture Series through a webinar on the decline of indigenous languages and its implications for traditional knowledge systems.
Titled “Lost in Translation: Decline of Indigenous Languages as a Threat to Knowledge System and Why NEP 2020 Matters”, the lecture was delivered by Professor Upasana Bora Sinha of the Department of Chemistry, Nagaland University.
Professor Sinha spoke about the role of indigenous languages in preserving cultural identity, traditional knowledge and biodiversity, drawing examples from communities across Northeast India, particularly Nagaland.
She highlighted how indigenous languages serve as repositories of knowledge about local flora and fauna and traditional medicinal practices. Referring to the use of the term “herbs” as an umbrella term, she explained that the loss of specific indigenous vocabulary could also result in the loss of knowledge associated with different plant species and their uses.
Professor Sinha also discussed the historical decline of indigenous education systems, linking it to colonial influences and language hierarchies introduced during the colonial period. She referred to the Charter Act of 1813 and said policies during the period contributed to the preference for English and other dominant languages over local dialects.
According to the presentation, more than 200 indigenous languages have become extinct over the past five decades, with Majhi, a language from Sikkim, cited as one of the more recent examples, having become extinct in 2015.
The professor emphasised the need to document indigenous languages and oral traditions before they are lost, in line with efforts under UNESCO’s International Decade of Indigenous Languages.
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She suggested that the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 could provide a framework for incorporating indigenous knowledge into formal education through community schools, skill-enhancement courses and multilingual education.
Professor Sinha also encouraged participants to create personal dictionaries of indigenous words and document oral traditions as a way of preserving cultural and traditional knowledge.
The webinar was chaired by Dr Apila Sangtam, General Secretary of the NSA, while Dr Aveivey D, Vice President of the association, delivered the welcome address. The lecture was followed by a question-and-answer session and concluded with a vote of thanks by Shirinkapai, Executive Member of the NSA.
