ZIRO, Aug 8: The RIWATCH Centre for Mother Languages (RCML) on Friday commenced the first phase of field research in Ziro, Lower Subansiri district, as part of an initiative to document and preserve the Apatani language.
The research team comprises Dr Mechek Sampar Awan, Dr H Kapginlian, Ama Pinky Kago and Sapna Lingi. On arrival, the team was welcomed by Tanii Supun Dukun (TSD) general secretary Hage Komo and assistant general secretary Takhe Duri.
During the interaction, representatives of the TSD, the apex body working for the promotion and preservation of Tani literature, assured the RCML team of their full cooperation. They also pledged to facilitate access to knowledgeable native speakers, provide necessary resources and help sensitise local communities on the importance of preserving and revitalising the Apatani language.
The field research aims to generate empirical data for a comprehensive descriptive study of Apatani. It will focus on documenting the grammatical structure of the language, examining its linguistic features through evidence-based research and studying its socio-cultural dimensions amid ongoing language shift and assimilation into larger language communities.
The study is being undertaken under the research project titled “Descriptive Grammatical Analysis of Apatani: Documenting an Endangered Tani Language of North East India,” supported by the Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) Division, Ministry of Education, Govt of India.
According to RCML, the documentation programme will be carried out in multiple phases. The first phase of fieldwork is scheduled from August 6 to 13.
The project is expected to contribute to the systematic documentation, preservation and revitalisation of Apatani, one of the indigenous languages of Northeast India facing increasing pressures from language shift and assimilation.