Language experts Tuesday gathered at Seminar Hall of J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages to discuss preservation of Kashmiri language and culture.
The event was a joint initiative of National Book Trust of India and J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages in which scholars from various parts of the State participated.
The language preservation discussion was chaired by Secretary Academy, Dr. Aziz Hajini while noted Kashmiri linguist, Ghulam Nabi Aatish was the guest of honour.
Talking on the margins of the event, Dr. Hajini said that about 6,000 different languages are spoken around the world. And every year the world loses around 25 mother tongues, which, according to him, was a matter of great concern.
“It is this aspect of language preservation which we need to discuss and debate,” Dr. Hajini said. Voicing his concern at rapid loss of languages, Dr. Hajini said that when languages are lost most of the knowledge that went with them gets lost.
“People do care about identity as they want to be different. Nowadays we want access to everything but we don't want to be thought of as no more than people on the other side of the world," he said.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelEchoing similar sentiments noted Kashmiri writer and linguistic, Ghulam Nabi Aatish said that loss of a language is not just a waste of resources it is the end of a community and its identity.
"Language is man’s identity. And I think we must value continuity in a community,” Aatish said. Earlier in his welcome address Assistant Editor, NBT, India Dwijendra
Kumar, highlighted the functioning of NBT in preserving regional language and culture.
Thanking JKAACL for lending its support to NBT India’s Kashmir based events Kumar said that the currently ongoing book exhibition at Lal Mandi had not become possible had Academy not come forward for the event.
Today’s panel discussion on preservation of Kashmiri language was attended by Wali Mohammed Aseer, Ratan Lal Talaashi, Shafqat Altaf and Anayat Gul.
Galaxy of University scholars and language experts witnessed the debate. Prominent ones included Mohammed Zaman Azurda, Ghulam Nabi Khayal, GMD Wani, Javaid Matjee, and Sultanul Haque Shaheedi. (KNS)