The Sikkim’s Endangered Language Documentation Project (SELDP), Sikkim University in collaboration with National Education Policy Committee, Sikkim University organised a talk on Endangered Languages, State, Communities and National Education Policy by Padmashree Prof. G. N. Devy on 22nd November 2022 at the conference hall of Paryatan Bhawan, Gangtok, Sikkim.
Prof. Devy is a renowned philosopher, anthropologist, literary critic, linguist and educator. He is well known for his social and linguistic works on vulnerable communities. He is a Sahitya Akademi Award winner for his book After Amnesia, and the chief editor of Peoples’ Linguistic Survey of India.
He delivered a talk on the current situation/ scenario of the world’s major, minor and endangered languages. He briefly discussed about the origin of language and how homo sapiens learned to control the sounds produced through the vocal tracts in order to communicate with others. He further shed a light on how the new technologies are impacting the use of a language in our daily lives, and stressed on the political and social policies which obstruct the languages in general from growing.
Expressing his concern about the state’s involvement in the conservation and uplifting of the languages, especially the minor and endangered languages, Prof. Devy said that the communities should not be totally dependent on the state. Stressing on the voluntary involvement of the members of the communities in order to maintain, revive and restore their languages, Prof. Devy said “If a community decides to conserve a language, a language can be conserved.”
Lastly, he briefly talked about the New Education Policy and its aim to impart education to large population. The policy is made in such a manner that educational institutions will be sensitive to various languages spoken in the different corners of India.
The session was chaired by Prof. Kabita Lama. Prof. G. N. Devy’s talk was warmly received by the audience comprising of students, scholars and faculty members of Sikkim University, SRM University, Kanchenjunga State University, various ethnic associations of Sikkim, general public and other organisations.
A talk on Endangered Languages, State, Communities and National Education Policy by Prof. G.N. Devy