DEOMALI, Aug 29: The Nocte community of Tirap district on Saturday endorsed a proposed script for its language at a general body meeting held at Wangcha Rajkumar Government College (WRGC), Deomali, marking a significant development in efforts to preserve and promote its linguistic heritage.
The meeting was organised by the Nocte Script Development Committee in collaboration with WRGC, with participation from representatives of Nocte-speaking groups including Hahwakhun, Ollo, Khappa, Tang and Phungsung.
The meeting, chaired by Environment and Forests Minister Wangki Lowang, provided a platform for representatives of different dialect groups to deliberate on the proposed script and offer suggestions for making it more inclusive and suitable for wider use.
The proposed script was presented by Dr Wanglit Mongchan, following which representatives shared their views and discussed measures for its future development. The participants subsequently endorsed the script as presented.
Addressing the gathering, Minister Wangki Lowang congratulated Dr Mongchan and members of the Nocte Script Development Committee for their efforts to preserve and develop the community's linguistic heritage.
He said the initiative would serve as an important foundation for future generations and called for continued efforts to strengthen the language.
The Minister also proposed the development of a Nocte multidialectal dictionary to facilitate communication and understanding among speakers of different Nocte dialects. He urged members of the community to work towards greater linguistic and cultural integration while setting aside minor differences.
The programme also featured cultural performances by students of Government Higher Secondary School, Deomali, and WRGC. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr Watsen Bangsia, Principal of WRGC.
The community's endorsement of the proposed script is expected to provide fresh impetus to efforts aimed at documenting, preserving and promoting the Nocte language and its diverse dialects.