Tura, Mar 26: The Mothers’ Union, Tura and A·chik Literature Society, Tura have termed the book titled “Poraina Skiani A” by Bluwin Chisik Sangma, published by D. J. Publications, Tura, as being totally unsuitable and contrary to the linguistic features of Garo language.
In a joint statement dated March 24, 2022, GB Sangma, Secretary, Mothers’ Union, Tura, and Crystal Cornelious D. Marak, Secretary, A·chik Literature Society, Tura, strongly objected to the book which is being taken as a textbook to teach Aˑchik/Garo language in certain schools in Garo Hills, saying the book has no relevance to Garo language.
They also asserted that it is totally unjust to impose the phoneme combinations of other languages on Garo language.
They further said the language learning and teaching to pupils at any stage, whether at the first level or any other level has to be related to the language concerned.
They have given a point by point and page by page reference for their objection against the book in question as a language teaching textbook for Garo language. “The use of this book will cause much harm to the Aˑchik language and culture as a tribe,” they said.
Reasons for objection
– The combination of phonemes in the words given in page no. 16 does not agree with the phoneme combinations in Garo language. For example, the words KAB, KACH, KAD, KAJ,LACH, MAB, MACH,NAJ, RAJ, TACH, etc.do not occur in the Aˑchik /Garo language. There are no words that end with j, ch, as final syllables. We do have all those phonemes in the language, but not the above mentioned combinations. They are totally alien to our language.
– The above mentioned morphemes do not occur in the Garo language.Words such as BADA, BAJA, CHAGA, CHALA, CHACHA, SAR, SAS, NAR, LAG, PAJ, DAB, GIB,KOB do not exist in Garo language.
– In page no. 15 with the heading “Oikor Minggitamchi Gamˑatani” meaning pronouncing with three letters, and titled (Menggo) with the picture of a cat, is filled with contradictions because the word menggo involves the sound of 6 letters: m, e,n, g, g, o. The text below has none of those letters, no sound or phoneme connected with menggo. The words or letter combinations such as HAN, HAP, CHAJ, BAD, CHACH, etc. has nothing to do with menggo.
– Incorrect placement of raka (glottal stop) symbol in some words like “e.ching” (p.5 & p. 7), “te.gatchu” (p. 11), “wa.a” (p 12) (a raised dot (·) is the accepted symbol to represent raka/ glottal stop in the Garo language).
