Expand frontiers of positive language, says former MP

Language is emerging as a powerful instrument in bonding friendships, cultural ties, and economic relations. The chances of advancement of an individual and humanity is large if we learn more languages said, former MP and member of Kendriya Hindi Samiti Yarlagadda Lakshmi Prasad.

He was speaking during the inaugural ceremony of the 13th International Conference of South Asian Languages and Literatures (ICOSAL) here on Monday. The Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL), Mysuru, in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Language Studies (IILS), Delhi, has organised the three-day conference.

Prasad explained the need to expand the frontiers of positive language and roll back the boundaries of negative language.

The language we adopt, use and nurture over a period of time can form the basis for harmony and peace. Language can be an instrument of peace, both, at the level of individual and the society, he said.

Conflict

Prasad pointed out how language became a source of socio-political conflict with undesirable consequences, during the anti-Hindi agitations a few decades ago.

"Mastery over mother tongue and command over as many languages as possible enhances the choice and scope for the advancement of an individual as well as the society. Vice president M Venkaiah Naidu had command over his mother tongue Telugu and people used to attend meetings just to listen to him. When he moved to national politics, he had no clue about Hindi. But he learnt Hindi and today, he is among the top political communicators in the country. Learning an additional language is a personal choice, based on the context, need, and passion. Master your mother tongue and if you have time and willingness, learn other languages," he suggested.

ICOSAL

ICOSAL is an international forum of scholars from across the globe that deliberates on various aspects of languages, cultures, and literatures of South Asia.

The focus of ICOSAL-13 would be on the differences and similarities between the languages, cultures, and literatures of South Asia, approached from the perspective of the typologies of individual linguistic and cultural phenomena, the historical development of language families, and the numerous contacts between languages spoken in South Asia.

Around 200 participants, including 20 scholars from Russia, the USA, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Singapore, and other South Asian countries are attending.