Itanagar, January 13: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Tuesday highlighted the importance of script choice in preserving tribal languages, lauding the Tagin community for adopting the Devanagari script to safeguard their linguistic and cultural heritage.
In a post shared on social media, the Chief Minister noted that tribal languages are rich in sound and largely oral in nature, making accurate representation crucial for their survival. He said the Devanagari script, being phonetic with a “one sound, one symbol” structure, enables correct pronunciation and faithful preservation of folklore, rituals, and traditional songs.
Khandu observed that the Roman script, originally designed for European languages, often fails to capture the nuanced sounds of tribal languages. This, he said, can lead to spelling inconsistencies, pronunciation errors, and gradual dilution of linguistic authenticity over time.
Appreciating the Tagin community’s decision, the Chief Minister described it as a positive and forward-looking step that balances cultural preservation with modern education. He said the move sets an example for other tribal communities seeking effective ways to protect their languages while adapting to contemporary learning systems.
The Chief Minister’s remarks come amid broader discussions on language preservation and the role of scripts in maintaining the integrity of indigenous languages in Arunachal Pradesh and other tribal regions.
