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.
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, Globalization 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, 21 February is designated as International Mother Language Day by UNESCO from 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 1878 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, especially in the context of the Ao languages.
Thus, the Language Translation Centre, Fazl Ali College, is an initiative that attempts to mitigate and aid in this project of preserving the linguistics and literary legacy of the Ao Nagas.
The Centre itself was inaugurated by the then Minister PWD Shri. Tongpang Ozukum on March 16, 2021 in Fazl Ali College.
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.
The Fazl Ali College Language Translation Centre was established as a joint effort of the Departments of Ao and English, Fazl Ali College.
Currently, these are the LTC Executives:
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.
Ao-Jungli translation and rendering of plays and literary texts:
Helen Jamir is a retired Principal who has been teaching English Literature from 1986. She is a polyglot and an avid reader of both English and Ao literature.
Repalemzüng is the editor and publisher of the Ao monthly magazine Lenjeter since its inception in 2015 and concurrently the publisher of Woods Publication from 2019. He is the author of Tsüngchir Samanir Ka (A biography of Shri Lanu Toy) in Ao which he also translated into English.
Dr. Lanurenla is currently the Principal of Sao Chang College, Tuensang. Her area of interest is in Ao Oral tradition and translation. She has coauthored books in Ao-Naga: Aotsür Jenmung (Ao Women’s Narrative), Orulem aser Olem (Grammar and Composition, Ao-Naga textbook for class V to VIII under Nagaland Board of School Education), and Sangro aser Lenren (a textbook for Ao honours under Nagaland University FYUGP). Her essay “Life in Verse: Ao-Naga Traditional Traditional Poetry” has been published in the anthology, Olio: Obscure Writings from Nagaland (2020). She was one of the translators and editors (Ao to English) for the book Aor Kilung Oset: Indigenous Household Craft of the Ao-Nagas (2022). She is also the Head of Literature Division, Ao Riju (Ao Academy). She has also collaborated in translation work with many agencies and organisations.
Bendangsenla has been teaching undergraduate students for several years and currently serves as an associate professor in the Department of English,
Fazl Ali College Mokokchung, Nagaland. She has co-authored Studies in Contemporary Naga Writings (2018) and has contributed an essay in the anthology Olio: Obscure Writings from Nagaland (2020). She has also published her articles in journals. She also co-edited Gender Narratives: Reinterpreting Language, Culture and Tradition in Nagaland (2021). She was one of the translators (Ao to English) for the book Aor Kilung Oset: Indigenous Household Craft of the Ao-Nagas (2022). Her area of interests includes Naga writings, Folklore Studies, American Literature and Post-Colonial Studies.
I. Yashikala Jamir is an assistant professor currently teaching English Literature in Fazl Ali College Mokokchung, Nagaland. She was one of the translators (Ao to English) for the book Aor Kilung Oset: Indigenous Household Craft of the Ao-Nagas (2022). Her area of interest is folklore studies.
Maongienla an assistant professor in the Department of English, at Fazl Ali College, Mokokchung. She is the author of the book Amajok aser Tanga Otsünutem, and she was one of the translators (Ao to English) for the book Aor Kilung Oset: Indigenous Household Craft of the Ao-Nagas (2022).
Sentisola is an assistant professor in the Department of English, Fazl Ali College. Her research interests include British Literature, female centric writings, post-colonialism, and Victorian prose.
Toshisangla is the Head of the Ao Department, under Fazl Ali College. She is a member of the Board of Undergraduate Studies (BUGS) for Ao Honours, and a member of the Ao Riju (Ao Academy). She also works as paper setter and evaluator for Ao Arangtet Tatidang (Proficiency Test in Ao Language) conducted by Ao Academy, and as a Dissertation Guide for students undergoing Proficiency Test in Ao. language. Her essay “Aor Kenozülu Tenzüka Ainba” has been published in the Fazl Ali College Journal, Vol.7:2017. She also has a published book titled Ao Lisopur Saisabong (Ao Indigenous Games), 2022.
Asapokla Imsong works as an assistant professor in the Ao Department, Fazl Ali College. She is also a proof reader under Ao Riju. Her area of interest is translations and literature. She was the recipient for
the Jemtimenba Mollier Foundation Award in 2017.
Repabenla is currently an assistant professor in Ao Department, Fazl Ali College. She is a member of BUGS/BOS for Ao Department under Nagaland University, and a proof reader for Ao Riju. She is also a Dissertation Guide for students undergoing Proficiency Test in Ao language. She has co-authored a book called Sangro aser Lenren (textbook for Ao honours under Nagaland University FYUGP 2022). She was a co-editor for the book Aor Kilung Oset: Indigenous Household Craft of the Ao-Nagas (2022). Her interest includes Ao folklores, writings and translation works.
Dr. Imwapangla Imsong is an assistant professor in the Department of English at Fazl Ali College. She has finished her PhD from Nagaland University. Her research interests are ecocriticism, gender, culture, nature, and contemporary literature. Other interests include environment preservation, writing, and publication.
Tzuwazenla Jmr works as an assistant professor in Ao department, Fazl Ali College. She worked as a translator in Ao Milen (Daily Vernacular newspaper in Ao Jungli), and currently works as a proof reader under Ao Riju. Her area of interests are community involvement, and translations. She was also the recipient of the Jemtimenba Mollier Foundation Award in 2019 and 2022.
Dr. Bendangrenla S Longkumer is an assistant professor in the Department of English, Fazl Ali College. She completed her PhD from Jawaharlal Nehru University and her interest areas include vernacular and oral literature, post colonial literature and theology of Sociality.
Dr. Moalemla Imchen is an assistant professor in the Department of English, Fazl Ali College. She completed her PhD in Nagaland University. Her area of interests are American Literature, African-American Literature, Psychoanalytical Studies, New Criticism, Cultural Studies and Popular Literature/Culture.
Please reach out to us through the email address / contact numbers provided for any queries, projects / collaborations / translation works.
lt.centre@fac.ac.in
8730048080
9612368936
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