Objectives:
- To translate literary works in English to Ao and vice versa
- To do research on Ao oral literature and translate them into English
- To publish books on Ao Language and Literature.
- To offer Certificate Courses in Language Translation.
Each vernacular language being unique to its region and its indigenous inhabitants, Mokokchung District which is a region of the Ao speaking people urgently needs more publications of translated books to gather to the needs of schools and college level courses to fulfil the requirements of NEP 2020. In the near future, if Honours course in Ao literature and linguistics are approved by the Nagaland University, there will arise the need to translate literary classics and literary canon of International languages into Ao.
Introduction:
India is a country of diverse cultures. In every culture language is an identity marker. From the Biblical times of the Tower of Babel to the modern-day era of Computational Linguistics, language plays a vital role in human society. Debates are held in academia on the nature of language and various theories are propounded on language translation; yet many questions lay unresolved. In many countries, cultures on the periphery are fighting for the survival of their languages. The impact of Colonization, Globalisation and Mass Media is so great that minority communities within the social structure are a dying culture.
When a language dies, an entire community dies along with it. Lt. Okoth Okombo, professor of Linguistics and Communications said, “The death of a Language is like the burning of a library.” Every year, 21st February is designated as International Mother Language Day by UNESCO in the year 1999 because of the importance of indigenous languages in order to preserve the culture, identity and consciousness of indigenous communities all over the world.
Translation from English to Ao and vice-versa is a not a new exercise. The translation attempt started back in 1874 when Rev. Dr. E. W. Clark and his wife Mrs. Mary Mead Clark entered the Naga Hills and started printing work at Molung village in the then Naga Hills District of Assam. However, translation is a vast subject that has theoretical as well as skill-based aspects.
Collaborations:
The Fazl Ali College Language Translation Centre envisages collaboration with Local writers, Naga Writers in English, Mass Media/ Publishing Houses, Rural Development Departments for educating Rural people, Cultural Studies Department, Tribal Languages Departments, Department of Information and Public Relations, State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), AIR FM Station Mkg, Folk Media and Documentation Centres, Folkloristics, Ethnography, Musicology departments and so on in the near future.
Language Translation Executives:
The Fazl Ali College Language Translation Centre was established as a joint effort of the English and Ao departments of Fazl Ali College.
- Director: Dr. Lanurenla
- Secretary: Ms. Toshisangla
- Finance Assistant: Ms. Imwapangla Imsong
- Publishing Assistants: Ms. Bendangsenla & Ms. Maonginla
- Documentation Assistants: Ms. I Yashikala Jamir & Ms. Repabenla
Sponsor:
The FAC Language Translation is initially sponsored by Mr. Jemtimenba Mollier. He is also the Chief Patron of the Ao Senden Literature Board (ASLB) and has set up the Jemti Mollier Foundation for development of Ao Language and Literature in the form of Awards to outstanding performers in the Ao Language Proficency examinations conducted by the ASLB