Decoding the appropriate script for Kokborok Literature: The nature of Conflicting Issues, Anomalous and Debatable discussion
Decoding the appropriate script for Kokborok Literature: The Nature of Conflicting Issues, Anomalous and Debatable Discussion.
Selecting a suitable script
for a particular language is an analytical and justification task. This is the process that should be only
justified by 'Academic groups' of the language concern and not by any mere
politicians, lay people, freelance writers, or people of other groups'
interests who are not ethical and intellectual parts of the academic group.
Neither the selection process nor the people's opinions should be based on
their concern for favoring or disfavoring a particular script unless those
genuine opinions come from the students' groups of language affinity. It is
they who will face the criticality of examinations and the difficulty of the language course.
While choosing the scripts for a
particular language, the level of appropriateness and conformity of the
language with the scripts should be strictly taken into account. It certainly
depends on phonetics, tonal variations, and the advantages of their spellings.
It does depend on the language family of the world. The rules for the selection
of scripts for a particular language are suitability, accessibility,
adaptability, and easier spelling. One aspect that should be strictly followed is that the scripts being used for a particular language should not largely lead to deviation in sounds and tonality from its originality; which will altogether change the meaning
and true essence, and the true identity of that particular language. The most appropriate one will be
developing indigenous scripts and applying them with originality and
sounds. Let me explain, why some scripts
are favored while others are not.
Why not Bangla script? The Bangla script has numerous alphabets with complex primary, secondary, and even third components. The use of complex alphabets leads to complex spellings of the Bangla language itself, while not speaking about its applicability with another language. It is going to create significant deviations. Bangla script is derived and copied from Devanagari Script with additional symbols and sounds of the Alphabet. It is indicated that Bangla and Sanskrit Devanagari belong to the Mother language Family. Why didn't the Bangla language retain the Devanagari script as they're of the same language family? There is the honest answer, as Bangla does need to attain true sounds and exactly requires adaptation to the true sounds of the spoken dialects, there is a need for a separate 'Bangla script' which has been formulated in the transformed variation. The use of the 'Bangla script' for the 'Bangla language' is the most appropriate and matters for pride and dignity for the Bengali Community. To jot down some complexity of the Bangla Alphabet, let me cite that there are many sounds that end with ‘shos’ and cases of multiple 'Tas' ‘Thos’ & 'Dhos', and their appropriate usage becomes perplexing. The use of 'Chandoro bindu' and many others etc still seems vague to me. Moreover, the attached alphabet with many akar, rishikar, etc creates further complexity. Besides, its complex and numerous alphabets, I am considering that 'The Bengali script' for the 'Kokborok language' will arise further complexity, as it is going to create deviations and loss of the true essence of the Kokborok language of the Tripuris. Many of the words cannot be truly spelled with this script. For example- 'Watwi' will be spelled as 'Watoi'. 'Kwkhwi' will be pronounced as 'Kukhoi', 'Tui Kwkhwrk' will be pronounced as 'Toi Kukorok', and many other examples of such, etc. The deviations occurring will definitely disturb the basic sounds of the language. To further add, the language family of Kokborok and Bengali also differs a lot.
The Kokborok belongs to the 'Tibeto-Burman language family, while Bangla belongs to the 'Indo-Aryan
language family'. For larger native Tiprasa students, Bangla has often been considered a
complex language with difficult spellings. This may be one of the main
reasons for large dropouts among Tiprasa students as seen in the past and present; and for which significant sections have moved to English Medium schools. To ironically state, If Bangla were to be written in 'Roman script', maybe, a
large Tiprasa section would've wholeheartedly loved the 'Bangla language and script' as a preferred medium of education. I must admit, the context discussed is not to demean the Bangla script, but to the limelight that its script is not suitable for Kokborok literature. I do have reverence for the Bangla script and the civilized Bangla-speaking community, as the language holds one of the richest literature in the world and widely being spoken across. It is not to deny the fact that Bangla was once used as an official language of the princely kingdom. It is the most popular communicative language even among the diversity of native tribes in the state.
Why not Devanagiri Script? The demand for 'Devanagari script' is a recent trend among native Tiprasa. This group comprises fewer numbers than the Bangla script group. Some handful of freelance writers are in demand for Devanagiri's script along with a few political backup folks. Their ambition and aspirations are not bad, as their main objective is to take Kokborok to the national level in the 8th Schedule language category. However, the applicability and usage of the Devagiri script for Kokborok are not going to be very different from the Bangla script, as they are derived from the same language family, and their scripts do not vary much from one another. The Bodos have accepted the Devanagari script; however, their language in literature has not been flourishing as of expectations, as many found it difficult, repelling to write Bodo in Devanagari script. It is to be sensitized, that the main aim of language development is about flourishing and convenient use of scripts by the students and the Teacher's community. There are many languages like Khasi, Mizo, etc which have not been included in the 8th schedule; but have been performing far better than Bodo literature. To my knowledge, there are negligible books of Kokborok written in the Devanagari script. The larger section of Tiprasa also did not find captivating, as many from the past and present are not familiar with Devanagari's script for Kokborok. With Bangla and Roman script, Kokborok literature has reached a certain stage; but with Devanagiri, we all will have to start all the way from zero point. The case of using Devanagari script is identical to initiating with an unknown 'indigenous script' which needs first familiarisation and feasibility with Kokborok literature. So, choosing the Devanagari script will bear major setbacks and hindrances for Kokborok literature instead of developing the other way.
What about developing and accepting the indigenous Tiprasa script? The native Tiprasa should feel proud, that there are at least 4 to 5 Kokborok scripts invented by some of our genius who can be considered as language scientists. They only need promotion and acceptance by the decision-maker and the larger Tiprasa community. If someone asks, what would you prefer to script for Kokborok? I would rather opt for 'indigenous scripts for the dignity and for the perfect suitability of sounds and phonetics related to the Kokborok literature. However, those 'indigenous scripts' may also have lacuna and disadvantages, unless it is critically examined thoroughly with the conformity of language. Learning a new script is like learning alien signs or learning Chinese scripts. There needs to be a committee, uniform codes of spelling, and huge tasks of the burden involved. We all have to start from minus below zero level points. The accessibility of the Kokborok language by other groups of people will be blocked and vague and inaccessible for foreign and other ethnic communities, as they will need to learn a new script for accessing and reading Kokborok literature. This will also create an extra burden for Young ones to learn the extra script, as they also require learning Hindi, Bangla, and English in their school academic course of study. The students and Teachers will be in dilemma about the construction and usage of the new script. So, choosing the indigenous Tiprasa script has still a long way and many challenges and experimentation to be met with.
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Chart 1: one among; Indigenous script'- Nangpwrai -Internet sources.
Why is Roman Script largely accepted by Communities and Tribes of the Northeast and largely by
Tiprasa?
To say, the Roman script is not the
perfect one. It does have some limitations also. However, it can be considered
the simplest, easiest, and most accessible script in the world. Many languages
of the world and many indigenous communities of North-East India have adopted Roman
Script. Most of these languages have excelled and flourished because of the wide
accessibility and simplicity of the script. There are some allegations by some
Tiprasa that Kokborok performs better with Devanagiri script than Roman script
concerning Google automatic pronunciation. However, the aim of language
development is not about selecting for perfect script. If it were so, then no script of the world will perform better or represent perfectly than the ‘indigenous script’. We need to
understand from the perspective of students and teachers. The student group
finds it very comfortable learning Kokborok in Roman script. They are the ones who
will face examinations and evaluations by teachers. The Kokborok literature has
performed better; is at a higher stage of achievements with Roman scripts when compared to Bangla or Devanagari scripts. Denying Roman script for
Kokborok will be like chopping the hands and legs of Kokborok literature, where
it has to crawl or remain stagnant. The students and academic groups of the Tiprasa community wholeheartedly embrace Roman script and are ready to take Kokborok to higher literary development. With Bangla, Devanagari, or any other vernacular script, there will
be a loss of zeal and enthusiasm by the literary folk of the Kokborok language.
It is the student groups of Kokborok who should be given due respect and given major emphasis for acknowledging their desires and aspirations for the Roman script. Certainly, not for fulfilling any lay group or other freelance writers' interests who has nothing to do with academic carrier and learning. As writers, one has the liberty to write in Bangla, Devanagari, Tamil, or any script of the World. But, as for academics and pursuing education in the Kokborok language, the Roman script should be unanimously accepted by all. Yes, it is not for the welfare of other lay groups who has nothing to do with academic studies, but certainly for the convenience and welfare of students and faculties of Kokborok literature.
Why a Kokborok script
becomes an elevated overrated issue? -
As Kokborok literature has not yet decided on the primary script, therefore all sections of society are
interested in giving their opinions. Moreover, this opinion consists of
fractions of large groups which can largely influence any political mileage among the
Tiprasa group. Today, the Script issues
among Tiprasa folk are a platform to showcase their political idealogy and
differences that one does not conform with another. The fact is ironic because the issue seems much more interesting to the non-academicians and lay group, than the
so-called practical experiencer group involved in language academic studies.
The issue of Kokborok has been highly politicized and instigated to a large extent that without demands and agitations, such demands can never be met and fulfilled. The actual fact of such differences of opinion may be a case of instigation by another community or a few Tiprasa political leaders who are ignorant about the enlightenment of using the right script. There is a common perception that if one does not want to settle the script issues, one can indulge in raising a series of controversial issues one after another. It is obvious in the past, that some sections of senior/elders Tiprasa who were educated in Bengali can likely favour Bangla script, although their numbers are mostly lesser than the Roman script favouring group; and so for this, two significant groups were contesting.
Today, this so-called 'Bengali script favouring group' does not count much. We don't count the opinion of people from another group who have to say something about the Tiprasa script. If other Community wants to learn Kokborok and make Kokborok a mandatory subject, then their opinion will surely count. Otherwise, their opinion is counted invalid, as their students are not going to study Kokborok in Bangla script. I will always want my things/aspects to impose on others. This is the rule of dominion because all communities are proud of their own culture and values. If Kokborok is to be written in Bangla script, then all Bengali communities should have at least one subject as mandatory in schools. I don't doubt the Bengali community will find Kokborok more difficult to write in Bangla script than in the Roman script. In no way, according to me, the Bengali folk will appreciate Kokborok as a mandatory subject in schools or colleges. It will be surprising if they agree on this strange matter. The ultimate fact is that no one will accept and embrace another language easily. I' will also don't like to impose on students that they're not comfortable with.
Today, the Devanagari script group seems to disfavor both the Bangla script and as well as Roman script for Kokborok Literature. This group has created more
confusion about the selection of the Script. This is the truth that gets revealed,
that even if Devanagiri script group becomes vibrant, there will be a 'Bengali
script group' that will surely overtake their decision. The ultimate destiny of
the script is instigated and motivated for accepting Bengali scripts. We see the reality
that when Bengali script is enforced to Tiprasa; why the so-called
Devanagiri script group didn't protest about the enforcement of the Bangla script?
If today, Tiprasa comes up and prefers an 'indigenous script', the process still will
not be free from controversy and other issues.
So, it is understood that the motives are to 'reject Roman scripts'.
Nothing else!. Today, Tiprasa wants to decide on the Roman script for its
advantages and its simpler forms, as the alphabet of Bangla does not appropriately fit into the Kokborok language.
Why Kokborok Script should be solved
immediately?: The scripting issue could
have been easily solved by a genuine appreciation of students' folk and
academic groups' demand for the Kokborok script. It seems the native Tiprasa
and people of the state through lingering on the controversy of script issues
are hampering the students of Kokborok, and are acting as barriers to the
development of the Kokborok language. It has become phenomenal that Kokborok has to
go through differences of opinions which are often superficially not from
academic and student folk. Today, if someone wants to lengthen and instigate
the diversion of scripts issues, and further surprises about the differences of
the height of opinion, there can be such Tiprasa group who will reject Bangla,
Devanagari, and even Roman script, and strangely favor strange Tamil script for
Kokborok. However, this group who opposed Roman script and favors any other vernacular
script will always represent the 'handful-minute group', and often an instigated
one or one who lacks enlightenment in the right script.
Today, a major junk of Tiprasa group from students, academics, and all sections of Tiprasa are in favor of Roman script. So, their opinion is to be given due respect and solemnly accepted. The Tiprasa is the native of the State, and sometimes, they are assumed as mere 'tribals of Tripura'. These wrong notions and views sometimes unknowingly lead to disregarding the views and opinions of Tiprasa opinion, as mere tribal people opinion or second-class citizens of the State. The matter of issues doesn't synchronize that in their land, they need to fight hard for their language script to be implemented. Whom do they need to demand and convince? Is it the central Govt, State Govt, or some other community that doesn’t speak Kokborok and whose students are not likely to take up Kokborok in their studies and examinations?.
The rule of ‘co-existence’ is the co-development of all communities of the State. Certainly, we are in free India and are not in the time of British rule where genuine demands of locals had been mostly suppressed. The Tiprasa community has had always a deep love for the Bangla language and its people. A considerable section of Tiprasa has lovingly imitated the Bengali culture and even adopted the Bengali language as a means of communication in the family and outside.
The Bengali Medium Schools in the far and nook corner of the State have been embraced and well accepted without much hindrance from the Tiprasa community for many decades. Although the Bengali Language is not their mother tongue, they have gracefully studied all subjects in Bangla script and in Bangla Language. This is one of the highest levels of acceptance that a particular community can make for another. The same level of acceptance is expected in return. A large section of Tiprasa found it difficult in pursuing studies in the language of another. Yet, there were no complaints about the implementation of Bengali Medium in the Tribal areas in the Past. It has never been felt or taken as enforcement of the Bengali language when Bengali Medium schools were introduced in all tribal areas. But, today, the feeling seems different and altogether strange. The same love given is not returned in the same way. The due respect for the vast Tiprasa opinion was not treated with due respect. It seems Tiprasa's desires and aspirations are being ignored or suppressed. Today, large Tiprasa felt, that it is truly an act of enforcement or imposition of script on another community.
Through the law of rights and constitution, it is the people of ethnicity group who will decide what is best for them. The other community is to support them in the adversity and development of the neighboring community. It is not because Tiprasa dislikes Bengali script. It is because Bangla Script does not actually fit with the Kokborok language, as it alters the basic tenets of Kokborok itself. The Roman script is not perfect, but it is simpler and easier than Bangla and Devanagari scripts. Therefore, the Roman script is largely preferred by students and ethnic groups of North-East India who have no formulated indigenous script. It is to be noted that indifference to these genuine demands of Tiprasa will sprout in the detest of the Bangla language itself, which has not been imbibed by the Tripuris previously. But, if it persists, Tiprasa may gradually cultivate distaste of the Bangla language and Bengali community. The styles of agitations may turn different; where Tiprasa may not agitate for Script alone but may churn against the widely spoken Bangla language, Bangla Medium, and so on. I hope such a twist may never come up in the near future, as the script issue will be solved before it ticks the final hour.
Conclusion:
I would like to conclude that for 'Academics and learning purposes', the 'Roman script' is highly favored or best qualified, for its merit, simplicity, and synchronizing with the Kokborok language. It is absolutely fine and bears no other issues, if the Education Dept wants to add 'Bengali scripts' as co-options, provided Roman script is selected as the 'primary base script'. The writers, authors, and any lay group have the liberty to write in any script of the world they know. However, their interest in scripts should not conflict with the genuine interest of the students of Kokborok who prefer studying in the Roman script only. There can be some groups who can prefer other than a Roman script. But, their opinion shouldn’t be considered and given attention, unless those opinions come from the academic and students’ folk and large Tiprasa folk. The advantages and simplicity of Roman Scripts surpass other vernacular scripts, as widely discussed. The Government can also present official notices in Kokborok, Bangla script or Roman script, or even in Devanagari script. It becomes unjustified and flouting only when a 'disfavoured particular script' is dictated to a particular community; as it violates the language liberty rights of any ethnic community. The liberty of the Tiprasa student for choosing Roman script may be granted, as it is for the genuine cause and empathy towards those pursuing studies and making academic carrier in the Kokborok literature. Meanwhile, the notion should be clear that Kokborok in Bangla script is never denied by the Tiprasa community. It is only disfavored as the primary script base for Kokborok literature. The 'Tiprasa community and students folk' will be indebted to the decision maker of the State, as it will strengthen the ties between the two communities, foster understanding and build mature coexistence of the communities in the State, and for the territorial integrity of the State. Thank you.
'Note: The contexts discussed are purely based on my personal opinion. The discussion may be subjected to criticism and objections. I do welcome opinions. The discussion is based on decoding the appropriate and most favored script of the Tiprasa community. The debate discussion is not intended to demean any vernacular script or any language community but to highlight the urgent need for deciding on the script of Kokborok literature, and its assessing future implication, if not solved.
'Tiprasa'--In the writing the term indicate--All Kokborok speaking communities-or the term sometimes relates to all native tribes of the State.
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