ITANAGAR, Jun 14: The Tani Language Foundation has participated in the 34th Annual Meeting of the Southeast Asian Linguistics Society (SEALS), held from June 11 to 13 in Bali, Indonesia.
At this prestigious gathering, widely recognized as the premier forum for the study of the languages of Southeast Asia, the Foundation presented pioneering research on the Tani language family, with a special focus on youth engagement and intergenerational transmission.
The presentation, led by emerging linguists Hariprasad Doley of Jawaharlal Nehru University and Alessandro David of the University of Florida, USA, highlighted the evolving dynamics of Tani languages spoken by indigenous communities across Arunachal Pradesh and neighbouring regions.
By foregrounding the voices and experiences of Tani-speaking youth, their presentation shed light on both the challenges and opportunities inherent in language revitalization efforts.
Key themes included: Intergenerational transmission: How young speakers balance traditional linguistic heritage with modern education and digital media. Community-led innovation: Real-world examples of youth-driven language revitalization such as social media storytelling and grassroots language workshops. Policy recommendations: Urging local and regional stakeholders to recognize youth as active agents of language preservation, not merely passive recipients.
“These findings underscore the urgent need to involve young community members not merely as subjects of study, but as active agents of linguistic continuity,” said one of the presenters.
The invitation to present at SEALS 34, a forum renowned for its rigorous peer review and academic excellence, marks a significant milestone in the global recognition of Tani linguistic heritage.
Founded over three decades ago, SEALS brings together linguists, anthropologists, educators, and activists to promote cross-cultural dialogue on Southeast Asia’s diverse language landscape.
The Tani Language Foundation sees this participation as a major step in its ongoing mission to support documentation, research, and revitalization of the Tani languages. “We are delighted that the voices of our youth—and the future of Tani languages—are being heard on an international stage,” the Foundation noted in a statement.