[Assam] The Demise of Assaamese Language in America

[Rajen & Ajanta Barua]

  Dear KJD
  Thanks for forwarding the article.
  I would comment on this later.
  Rajen Kokaideu




    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: kamal deka 
    To: Rajen & Ajanta Barua 
    Sent: Sunday, June 08, 2008 9:04 AM
    Subject: Letter to the Editor.


    Rajen kokaidew,
    The following letter appeared in today's on-line edition of The Sentinel.I tried twice to forward the same to the assamnet.It didn't go through.Could you forward the letter to the net ? Your thoughtful comment will be appreciated
    KJD
                                  
                                  
                                   
                                  
                                  
                                  
                                  
                                  
                                  
                                   
                                  
                                  
                                  
                                  
                                  
                                  
                                   
                                    
                                   
                                    
                                   
                                    
                            
                                 
                                 
                                The Demise of Asomiya Language in America 
                                Half of the world's 6,000 languages, as estimated by the United Nations, will go the way of the dinosaurs in less than a century. In fact one falls out of use about every two weeks. Usually, the life of a language comes to an end when the speakers of the language stop speaking it for any reason. The Asomiya language in the USA has already been put to sleep by the Asomiyas themselves, which is the product of parental failure to inculcate a sense of pride in our ancient culture and language. After all, diet and dialect are perhaps the emblems of any society. The abdication of the Asomiya parents makes it easy for the Asomiya children here in America to follow the path of least resistance by imitating their American peers. The result : most of the Asomiyas, belonging to the in-between generation, if not all, do not speak their mother tongue at all.
                                It is too facile of an argument, often made by the expatriate Asomiyas, that teaching children their native language interferes with the English language development. It would, therefore, be better to focus on English than teach a language that is going to be of limited use in this country. This line of reasoning, in my opinion, does not seem to have two legs to stand for a few simple reasons. 
                                First, research consistently points to the cognitive and academic advantages of being bilingual, no matter what the second language is. But the Asomiya parents are not dissuaded by multilingual pre-schoolers reading earlier and faster than their monolingual counterparts. The young child's alloplastic mind is fertile ground for a multitude of ideas. Far from stunting mastery in English, learning another language enhances a child's ability to learn English by expanding linguistic structure and syntax. Furthermore, most children passively acquire English through ubiquitous interactions with teachers and fellow schoolmates at school, television and on the street. Conversely, they imbibe their native language only at home. 
                                Secondly, when Americans themselves have begun to realize that this land is not a melting pot but rather a rich mosaic, it is ironic that many of us still cling to the archaic philosophy of Romans in Rome. Thankfully, the Asomiyas here in America do not live in such a rigid world where they have to choose between extremes. 
                                Thirdly, there is another powerful benefit that is relevant to our children growing up here and that is in helping them a strong sense of identity which can help lead to better self-esteem and self-confidence.
                                The Asomiya diaspora of the USA insists and claims that the foremost reason of celebrating Bihu is to transmit — and preserve — our culture to the next generation. One would fall off the chair to learn that the entire affair is conducted in English! I am at a loss to understand as to how on earth one can pass one's culture and heritage on to their progeny by merely holding Bihu function once in a year without impressing upon their children the importance of learning their own language which is the essence of any culture.
                                Kamaljit Deka,
                                Sugarland, Texas.