NEHU observes International Day of Sign Languages

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Date: Sep 25, 2022

As part of the celebration of the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’, the office of the Dean, Students Welfare, NEHU, Shillong in collaboration with the Department of Linguistics, NEHU, Shillong celebrated the Sign Languages Day on 23^rd September, 2022 at 11: 00 A.M. in the auditorium of ‘U Kiang Nangbah’, Guest House. The programme was conducted to raise awareness of the sign languages that are recognized for the human rights of deaf and mute people. The day provided support for linguistic identity and cultural diversity for all the people who interact with each other through sign languages. Around 200 people including teachers, non-teaching staffs and students have participated in the said programme.

The event was graced by Prof. Henry Lamin, VC In-Charge as the Chief Guest and Prof. S. K. Singh, Head, Department of Linguistics as Chair person. While presenting the welcome speech Prof. R.L. Nongkhlaw, Dean of Students Welfare said that “Languages are the means of communication and observing this day highlights the unity related to the sign languages of the deaf people. Linguistic rights are also counted as the basic human right and sign language is also a part of that right.”

A live Demonstration of the sign languages was presented by Mr. Tiakumzuk Aier, Research Scholar of Linguistic department who enthralled and surprised the audience present with various ways of communicating in sign languages. He also stressed on the point how the sign language is not just important for specially-abled persons but also for those who are communicating with them. Mr. Tiakumzuk Aier is research scholar who doing research in the field of Sign Languages under Dr. Saralin Lyngdoh, Assitant Professor who was also present in the programme.

Prof. Henry Lamin, who graced the occasion as the Chief Guest of the Programme mentioned that there are thousands of languages in the world and that sign language is one of them. He also exhorted on the point that when the ministry had enquired about the number of deaf and mute students in the University, he was surprised to know that only 25 deaf and mute students were pursuing higher education in the University and that it is the duty of the University and the Department of Linguistics to create awareness programmes like these for higher enrollment of these students. In his concluding remark, the Chief Guest praised Mr. Tiakumzuk Aier for his elaborate demonstration of sign language and encouraged him to work on it. He also stressed to the organizing committee that in the future workshops of this kind, Mr. Aier may be called as the resource person.