Aizawl, Jul 22 (PTI) Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma on Wednesday stressed the urgent need to increase Mizo language content on the internet and translate Mizo literature into as many languages as possible to preserve and promote the language in the digital age.
Speaking at the release of ‘Zawhzawzo Val’, a Festschrift on the works and life of renowned Mizo scholar Prof Laltluangliana Khiangte, and two other books, in Aizawl, the chief minister said that Mizo literary works should be translated into English, Hindi, Bengali and other major world languages and made widely accessible online.
He said such translations would not only help showcase Mizoram and the Mizo people to a wider audience, but will also play a vital role in safeguarding the Mizo language for future generations.
Lalduhoma further highlighted the importance of expanding Mizo language content on the internet, noting that the availability of Mizo words and their English and Hindi equivalents would strengthen AI-based work in the language and enable speakers of other languages to translate Mizo more effectively.
Referring to Mizo’s inclusion in Google Translate in 2022, the chief minister said the language can now be used across Google and other language-based AI platforms, making digital preservation and development of the language an increasingly important task.
The event also marked the release of ‘Lalzika and Vanthangi’ written in English by Prof Laltluangliana Khiangte, and Khiangte’s co-authored book ‘Teaching of Mizo Language in Secondary School’.
Mizoram University (MZU) Vice Chancellor Prof Dibakar Chandra Deka also released ‘Pasaltha Khuangchera’ (the story of Mizo legendary warrior Khuangchera) written in Bengali.
Lalduhoma praised Prof Khiangte as a distinguished scholar and playwright, urging him to continue producing quality literary works.
Deka also said that Prof Khiangte has represented Mizoram in many places across India where few other Mizo scholars have had the opportunity to go, and has also travelled abroad extensively.
He has widely promoted Mizo culture, language, literature, and social issues in various languages, thereby bringing honour and recognition to the Zo people, the vice chancellor said.
Prof Khiangte is a Mizo scholar, playwright and poet of Mizo literature. He retired as senior professor from MZU’s Mizo department in June.
Prof Khiangte was awarded the Padma Shri, the country’s fourth highest civilian honour, in 2006 for his contribution to literature.
He is also the recipient of Pu Buanga Award, the highest literary award of the Mizo Academy of Letters (MAL).
As pointed out in Zawhzawzo Val, 20 of Prof Khiangte’s 40 plays have been translated into Hindi and 10 into English.
Around 20 of his plays, 20 prose works and 10 poems have been included in the curricula of several universities across India, with many of them translated into different languages. PTI CORR RG
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