Dimapur Ao Lanur Telongjem (DALT) launched the “Ao Kaket Reju”, text book to be used in the Ao Academy, on October 19, here at DABA Church, Ducan Basti, Dimapur.
Addressing the gathering, administrative officer, Justice and Law, A Chuba Ozükum, stated that Ao’s have now lost its pride in speaking mother tongue.
He viewed that many people of today’s generation shy away from conversing in Ao dialect and that it has come to a situation where people make fun of others having conversation in one’s own mother tongue.
He also lamented that even people in the village areas have now started speaking Nagamese Creole, which proved that extinction of one’s mother tongue was under great threat.
Ozükum took the example of South Americans, who were once colonised by Spanish people and had to learn Spanish language, resulting in extinction of their original mother tongue. Here, he stressed that “our” own mother tongue would also fall into the same scenario if one does not act upon it now and preserve it.
Releasing the book, chairman, Ao Senden Literature Board, Mokokchung, Dr. L Temjen Jamir, acknowledged DALT for spear heading to come up with books with the motive to preserve the Ao dialect, and hoped that the newly released book would serve for the benefit of all.
He also encouraged Sunday school teachers to refrain from teaching in other languages apart from Ao and also urged them to motivate and encourage students to sing or perform dramas in Ao dialect.
He also stressed that there were many books written in Ao dialect on various topics, but young people do not prefer reading them.
He commended that this also contributed to the near extinction of Ao language.
Short messages were also delivered by convenor, Literature Board, DALT, Supu Jamir, associate pastor, DABA, Rev. Kika Jamir, president, ASTD, L Wati Jamir and president, DWT, Yarsangla.
Dedicatory prayer for the newly released book was offered by secretary, Dimapur Area Ao Pastors’ Fellowship, L Panger Jamir.
Earlier, the programme was chaired by president, DALT, Aotemsü Aier and invocation offered by associate pastor (W), DABA, Amongla Aier.
It may be noted that Ao Academy would be providing Ao language classes for interested students from October 27 after Sunday school classes at DABA, and continue till beginning of the coming year.