Reviving Indigenous Languages of the Northeast: A Race Against Time
The vibrant Northeast of India houses over 220 languages across its eight states. Each language carries centuries of tradition, folklore, identity, and wisdom. Linguists estimate that nearly 60% of these indigenous languages now fall under the endangered category.
READ : Manoj Bajpayee: Conquering Language Struggles to Bollywood Triumph
The Alarming Decline
Modernization, migration, and a shift toward dominant languages like Hindi and English have eroded native tongues. Many children today no longer speak their ancestral languages at home or in school. In states like Arunachal Pradesh, languages such as Bugun, Meyor, and Sherdukpen only few mere hundreds speakers each. UNESCO already listed languages like Sherdukpen, Wancho, and Singpho as critically endangered.
Why These Languages Matter
Every language tells stories unique to its people. Oral traditions in Mizo, Khasi, express a community’s ecological knowledge, healing practices, and worldview. Losing a language equals losing a part of humanity’s collective memory. Furthermore, these languages not only preserve vocabulary but also reflect a region’s ecological and cultural relationship with its land.
Efforts by the Government
The Government of India recognized the urgent need for preservation. Under the Scheme for Protection and Preservation of Endangered Languages (SPPEL), the Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL) began documentation projects for lesser-known tribal languages. Several northeastern universities received grants to work on language digitization and dictionary creation.
To support this heritage state governments also stepped up. For example, the Arunachal Pradesh government introduced tribal language primers in primary school curriculum. Nagaland’s Department of Tribal Affairs now funds language revival workshops and digital archives.
NGO and Grassroots Movements
NGOs and local scholars play a powerful role in revival efforts. Organizations like the North East Network (NEN) and Living Tongues Institute organize community-based language documentation workshops. They record folktales, chants, and songs and archive them in open-access platforms.
In Meghalaya, youth-led initiatives like Seng Khasi Youth Wing promote Khasi storytelling among schoolchildren. Similarly, a group of linguists and elders in Manipur digitized Tangkhul Naga stories and grammar into mobile apps.
Digital Tools for Language Revival
Technology helps bridge generations. Mobile apps, online dictionaries, and YouTube language lessons make it easier for youth to reconnect with their linguistic roots. Google also added several Northeast languages to its Input Tools. Tribal elders now see their oral traditions reach a global audience through digital storytelling.
Challenges That Persist
Despite growing efforts, funding remains a major challenge. Many community projects lack sustained financial support. Inconsistent school policies and a shortage of trained educators further hinder large-scale revival.
The Way Forward
Indigenous language revival must go beyond documentation. It requires active usage in homes, schools, and public life. Local governments must integrate these languages into education and administration. Media houses should include tribal content in news and entertainment. Communities must take ownership and pride in their linguistic heritage.
The clock ticks fast. Every language saved preserves not only just identity but also a piece of Northeast India’s soul. Reviving them is not just a cultural necessity; it’s a moral responsibility.