GG News Bureau
Lumami, Nagaland 1 September – In a landmark step towards cultural preservation and educational reform, Nagaland University, the only Central University in the state, has initiated an ambitious project to develop written grammar for the 18 recognized Naga languages. The initiative, undertaken in collaboration with the Directorate of School Education, Government of Nagaland, marks a historic attempt to bridge a longstanding gap in Naga language education.
For decades, Naga languages have been taught in schools, but none had a formal, written grammar to guide students and teachers. This has not only posed challenges in ensuring uniformity but also risked the gradual marginalisation of these languages. With the new project, Nagaland University aims to change that narrative by providing structured pedagogical grammars that will be incorporated into school textbooks from Class 5 to Class 12, in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Preserving Linguistic Heritage
At the heart of this project is the recognition that grammar forms the backbone of a language. While vocabulary gives expression, grammar gives structure. According to Dr. Mimi Kevichüsa Ezung, Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Tenyidie, Nagaland University, “A written grammar is a formal representation of the abstract properties of a language. At a time when Naga languages are undergoing standardisation, developing pedagogical grammars is crucial. It ensures consistency and regularity in writing and in speech, while instilling pride in one’s mother tongue.”
This project goes beyond linguistic documentation. It is envisioned as a cultural mission, ensuring that every Naga child learns their mother tongue not just as a spoken medium but as a structured, academically recognized subject.
Filling the Educational Gap
The project will systematically document grammar elements—parts of speech, tense and aspect, phrase and clause structures, and tone—while enriching vocabulary and clarifying orthography where necessary. Once developed, these grammar modules will be integrated into textbooks alongside prose, poetry, and translation exercises.
The State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) and the Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE) will supervise the curriculum integration, ensuring that the new materials align with educational standards. Teacher training programmes, beginning with refresher courses hosted by Nagaland University, will further prepare educators to smoothly adapt to the new grammar-based pedagogy.
Voices of Leadership and Commitment
Speaking on the significance of the project, Prof. Jagadish K Patnaik, Vice Chancellor of Nagaland University, said,
“It gives me great pleasure to announce that the Department of Tenyidie has taken the lead in this historic initiative. This endeavour is not merely an academic exercise but a cultural mission—one that seeks to preserve, strengthen, and promote the linguistic heritage of our people.”
Prof. Patnaik also stressed that the project aligns with NEP 2020’s vision of mother-tongue based education and contributes to the preservation of India’s rich linguistic diversity. “This initiative would not have been possible without the dedication of our faculty, scholars, language experts and community elders who have worked together in a spirit of collaboration,” he added.
Collaborative Framework
The grammar-writing effort involves multiple stakeholders across Nagaland’s academic and cultural landscape:
Language Literature Boards: Play a key role in standardisation, coining new words, and overseeing textbooks for Classes 9–12.
State Centre of Naga Languages (SCNL): Works under the Directorate of School Education, developing textbooks for Classes 1–8 in collaboration with Literature Boards.
SCERT and NBSE: Ensure smooth integration of grammar into the official curriculum.
Technical workshops hosted by Nagaland University’s Department of Tenyidie are already training language officers under SCNL in translation and documentation of grammatical categories.
Stakeholder Reactions
Community leaders and education officials have welcomed the initiative:
Mr. Kaitunchap (Joshua) Newmai, Member of the Liangmai Literature Board, remarked:
“Documenting and developing grammar textbooks for Naga languages is a vital step towards safeguarding our cultural heritage. This effort will strengthen language learning in schools, foster pride in mother tongues, and ensure our languages continue to thrive for future generations.”
Ms. Kevileno Angami, Commissioner and Secretary, Department of School Education and SCERT, Government of Nagaland, highlighted the educational benefits:
“Workshops on grammar conducted by Nagaland University have provided valuable insights into the structure of Naga languages. Teaching grammar from the early stages will give clarity, prevent confusion, and build a strong foundation in our students’ language education.”
The 18 Languages Covered
The project will develop grammar resources for the following languages:
Ao, Chang, Chokri, Khiamniungan, Konyak, Kuki, Kuzhale (Khezha), Liangmai, Lotha, Nthenyi (Southern Rengma), Nzonkhwe (Northern Rengma), Phom, Pochury, Sangtam, Sümi, Tenyidie (Angami), Yimkhiung, and Zeme.
Currently, only a handful of languages such as Tenyidie, Ao, Lotha, and Sümi are taught beyond Class 8. Among these, Tenyidie is the most developed, being offered up to M.A. and Ph.D. levels. By laying the grammatical foundation, this project will enable other languages to grow academically and reach higher levels of education.
A Vision for the Future
The initiative is not just about writing textbooks—it is about protecting a way of life. By giving structure to Naga languages, the project strengthens cultural identity, empowers future generations, and contributes to the vision of Nation building through education.
Nagaland University’s grammar initiative is expected to become a model for other states with diverse linguistic communities. It highlights how academic institutions, in partnership with governments and local communities, can bridge cultural preservation with modern education.
As Prof. Patnaik aptly put it, “This project reflects our responsibility not only as an academic institution but also as a custodian of culture and heritage.”
About Nagaland University
Established under the Nagaland University Act of 1989, Nagaland University came into being on September 6, 1994. As the state’s only Central University, it has jurisdiction over the entire state of Nagaland.
The University has three campuses: Lumami (Headquarters, Zunheboto District), Kohima Campus (Meriema), and Medziphema Campus (School of Agricultural Sciences, Dimapur District). With 43 departments and 76 affiliated colleges, Nagaland University offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programmes across disciplines including Arts, Commerce, Sciences, Agricultural Sciences, Engineering, Technology, and Management.
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