On the Importance of Dialect| An Essay

Mongmi attire. Credit: Winnerson Maku

 Language is a storyteller, stories not of narration, stories of the lost folklores

Through language, a lot of the past can be explored. In linguistic, Sanskrit is regarded as the oldest language of the world wherein lies the origin of many languages of India such as Hindi, Malayalam, Telugu, and other Indo-Aryan languages. Through much research, it has been found that half of the languages of the world have their origin in Sanskrit. 

Scholars of the 18th century were greatly astonished to discover the close similarity of the Sanskrit and classical languages of Europe (in grammar and vocabulary). This great discovery was possible through the preservation of languages and thus learning the detailed characterization of language and every form of dialect. 

According to the UNESCO Atlas of the World’s Languages in Danger, 230 languages became extinct between the years 1950 to 2010. It estimates that there are some 3,000 endangered languages worldwide, and in reality, there are many more unidentified languages today. 

Etymology is lost and is corrupted with the loss of dialect. Every year many dialects are being lost. Etymology is important to have a better understanding of ‘word’; for example, the word ‘state’ is originated from the Latin word ‘status’ means ‘standing’ or ‘position of a person or a body of person’. Now as we are aware of the word state, we surpass in its uses. Likewise, scholars try to bring out the etymology of words, and now it has become a major factor for learning. With the loss of dialect, the origin of a word is trumped up or left unidentified.

In the present political scenario, languages have become political and the majority speaking language overrules the minor ones. And with it emerge the tendency to impose the ideology of ‘one tribe; one language, one culture, one story, one system’. 

The dialect of Mongmis for instance, is under threat and their identity will further be endangered with the loss of their language. The importance of language and words are little known to the people of Mongmi. However, in the 21st century, the Mongmis have started realizing that language and words are also a part of their identity. The Mongmi dialect is spoken by less than 2,000 people residing in the border areas of Myanmar and India in south-eastern Manipur. 

The Mongmis are categorized under the Maring tribe due to several cultural similarities with the Maring, despite some significant differences. Since they have been clubbed together as part of a major tribe i.e. Maring, the tribe that is not uniquely identified or distinctly recognized finds it difficult to claim the language, customs, culture, attire, and its etymology as their own. They also do not have a platform or the independence to exert their identity like any other tribe. 

In the early 20th century, Mongmis started settling in the Pallel valley in pursuit of better opportunities, transport and communication, medical facilities, and education. Since Pallel is a diverse cultural area, Mongmis began losing their mother tongue and many of the original words were replaced or mixed with other languages such as Meiteilon and other local dialects. And some sentences were spoken mixed with other Manipuri languages and a new form of language was born. 

Most of the present generation of Mongmis, who are born and raised in the Pallel area was first introduced to the Meiteilon language, which is the common language of communication among different communities of Manipur. Little effort is being made to teach the original dialect of Mongmis to the present generation, adding to the woe of the dialect.

Words are art by themselves, a person’s history or a person can be identified from the language he/she speaks, or from the names they carry. Nagas inhabiting the southern Manipur, namely Chandel and Tengnoupal districts, carry a common story that they all emerged from a hole in the earth mostly understood as a cave. Hence, they collectively called themselves ‘Khurmi’ (khur- from the word ‘a-khur’-hole/cave,  and ‘mi’-people).

                        Source: Maring Media

Mongmis call themselves ‘Mongmi’ after coming out from the cave in Kulkung (a place where they considered as the land of the rising sun). They traversed from Mongmi learning the art of living from this place. Therefore, the Mongmis carry the history to this day.

Writing is indeed one of the best ways to preserve the language. Yet, as an oral community, dialects have to be learned and preserved. Language also carries the history of the people through stories, folklore, and songs. Unfortunately, less than a hundred people can sing the traditional and customary songs of the Mongmis, and this can be true to many other minor tribal communities of Manipur and North-east India. Dialects change with the change of environment, but folklore and folk songs are one of the chief methods to discover the culture and history of the community.

Many scholars and researchers write about the names that they are tagged to, but what about the communities that are not tagged so far? Does this mean the minor communities or sub-tribes don't have a voice and should those unrepresented tribes continue to give in to the banner where they have been tagged?

The is an urgent need to study the tribal communities and in doing so, no detail should be eliminated, discarded, ignored, or left obscured. Diverse dialects and stories of different people must be learned and all stories are equally important. It is time we embrace the similarities but respect the differences.

Chimoitim Phairong