The Don Bosco fathers and brothers of Dimapur province can rightly claim to have added a slice to the mosaic of languages and literature that dot the hills and valleys of northeast. In a land of dozens of tribes and languages, the region has the rare distinction of being a multi-disc of languages and dialects. With a wide assortment of publications (books, magazines, audiocassettes, etc.) ranging from Assamese, Meithei, Maram, Mising, Nagamese, Nishi, Nocte, Rongmei, to Wangcho, they have contributed a widow’s mite in the development, propagation and preservation of local languages and literature.

Article 7 of the Salesian Constitutions states: “Our vocation calls us to be deeply united with the world and its history. Open to the cultural values of the lands in which we work, we try to understand them and make them our own, so as to incarnate in them the message of the Gospel”. In order to be open to the cultural values of the areas we work and incarnate the message of the Gospel in their culture, we need to know the languages of the people. The language of the heart will not suffice; the spoken language needs to be acquired to break the barriers of communication.

Rightly the Salesians of Dimapur province have endeavoured to learn and develop the indegenours languages of the people. there is a considerable degree of interest and zeal manifested by several Salesians in promoting indigenous languages and literature. In some cases the Salesians have been the pioneers in promoting the indigenous languages. Some of the contributions of individual Salesians are given below:

Fr. Palliparambil George (P.K)

He has published a Wancho Hymnal and prayer book.

Fr. Kottarathil Mathai (C.D)

He has made great contribution in the promotion and preservation of the Nocte language. His contribution includes:

1) Rangkhen Pangte (a quiz book on Jesus)
2) Apangse Chhat pe (Infancy narrative)
3) Joban Rangtho e (a prayer book)
4) Se me Soam e (a short hymnbook)
5) Mark Jumko Nginsen (the Gospel of Mark in Nocte which is yet to be published)
6) A dictionary in Nocte language.

Fr. Mattappally Joby

Fr. Joby Mattappally has taken keen interest in the Nishi language and authored a book entitled Spoken English Through Nishi which has undergone a second revised edition.

Fr. Kalapurackal Thomas (K.A)

The initiatives and zeal of Fr. K.A Thomas for the Mising people cannot be contested. The community leaders training programme is well known and is a much appreciated initiative. Moreover, he has keen interest in the promotion of indigenous culture, language and literature. Fr. Thomas has co-authored, and helped the publication of many books in Mising such as:

1) Anu Agom (a Mising Monthly Newspaper)
2) Yayoke Doying Payeg
3) Mising Gomsiri
4) Mising General Knowledge
5) Doying Pera (Folktales)
6) Lenpone Komputer Potin (Computer Manual)
7) Mopi Lolad Jisu Kristo (Life of Christ)
8) Kristan Kumtom (Prayer Book)
9) Mathike Adnam (Gospel of Mathew)
10) Mark ke Adnam (Gospel of Mark)
11) Irroi (Hymns)
12) Mathi : KC Adnam Ainc Do : Ying
13) Mark : KC Adnam Ainc Do : Ying

Besides these, he has to his credit two books in Assamese; (a) 2 Volumes of Idioms and Phrases in Assamese, (b) Petals (General Knowledge on Assam – bilingual).

Thottathimyalil Francis (T.J)

It may not be an exaggeration to say that he is a linguist of a high calibre. The many pioneering works in the field of literature will corroborate my statement. His contribution is great, both to Nishi and Rongmei languages.

Nishi

1) Tugung Pui (Good News – Gospels)
2) Au Gaengda Lampia (collection of 40 composed hymns)

Rongmei

1) Inthanmei Cheiguan (Holy Week)
2) First Ever Rongmei Grammar
3) First Ever Rongmei-Anglo Dictionary
4) Jubilee Kang (compilation – 40 hymns composed)
5) Tingsaeng jaeng inkha loumei Pui (Novena to Perpetual Succour)
6) Jisu Lungthu (Prayer for Divine Mercy)
7) Presently working on the Full Catholic Bible in Rongmei
8) He had edited four magazines published four times a year (You Decide, Nang Ruai Chunmei, Parish Khuan – Kasuak Khuan, Nang Sui Kaibe)

Fr. Narimattam Mathew

Fr. Mathew Narimattam is well versed in the Assamese language. He is one of the few Salesians who had shown great interest in the Assamese language and culture. The books listed below will authenticate this statement.

1) Hotyo Deep (2 editions)
2) Snehabandhu
3) Christor hoite Aru Christor Obihone
4) Jibonor Harothi (2 editions)
5) Baibelor Porisoi

Fr.Palatty Devassy

The first Bible in the Maram language owes its credit to the inspiration and painstaking effort of Fr. Devassy Palatty. Along with the MACA (Maram Area Catholic Association) he has succeeded in giving to the Maram people the New Testament in their own dialect.

Fr. Thuruthiyil Sebastian

Working among the Nishis, Fr Sebastian Thuruthyil has been instrumental in authoring two publications.

1) An Introduction to Nishi
2) Au Gada Yab Lampta (2 editions)

Fr. Puthenpurakal Joseph (P.V)

In collaboration with some lay people Fr.Joseph Puthenpurkal has published a book entitled A Guide to Nagamese

Fr. Tinglung Francis

he latest compilation of songs and prayers in Rongmei Thuanpui Lu owes its credit to his untiring effort.

At this juncture we may mention the newsletter Parish Khuan of Tamenglong Parish. It was started way back in the late 1970’s with Fr. Joe Ngamkhuchung and continued due to the interest of Fr. Alex Pulimoottil and Fr. C.D Mathai. Fr. Tony Pellisery standardised it into a booklet in standard print. Fr. T.J Francis changed the name to Kasuak Khuan and gave it a further facelift. The newsletter is regular and has gained further momentum and fillip in the hands of Fr. P.X Francis.

Motivating force

The motivating forces behind this entire endeavour were varied in their nature. By and large, the missionary zeal and enthusiasm is the primary force. Besides it has been an effort to:

1) To make people understand their religion.
2) To make Jesus known and understood better.
3) To make God’s word available to all.
4) To make efforts to spread God’s word.
5) To develop the language and culture of the people.
6) To help students learn English through their mother tongue.
7) Help the people appreciate their own culture and the logic of their language.
8) To develop local languages.
9) To motivate the people and give them an identity.
10) To strengthen the cultural ethos of the people, unify them and make them grow.

Challenges encountered

All the Salesians involved directly in the work of developing indigenous languages face many challenges. Some of them are very realistic while others seem to be posed from within the family circle.

1) Lack of sufficient vocabulary in the local dialects / languages.
2) Lack of understanding of the grammatical structure of the languages.
3) Absence of authorized script in the same language (e.g. Nishi).
4) No previous publication of literature.
5) Presence of dialectical differences in many of the languages.
6) No educated person in the tribe who could proof-read and correct the manuscripts.
7) Financial constraints.
8) Lack of good distributing system.
9) Lack of understanding on the part of some Salesians on the value and importance of the work.
10) Lack of encouragement.
11) Lack interest in some Salesians.

Conclusion

The situation in Northeast with regard to the development of language and literature is still in its infancy. Many of the indigenous languages are still discovering or yet to discover an accepted script. Although many have adopted the Roman script, the search for a well-defined script continues. A great many of these indigenous languages owe their debt to the missionaries. The preservation and development of indigenous language is a real challenge in this the north east were there is a multiplicity of languages and dialects and is fast moving towards globalization. As a province, we have many miles to go, before we can rest contented.