ABOUT THE CENTRE

The RIWATCH Centre for Mother Languages (RCML) is dedicated to promoting and preserving mother languages in upholding their identities, cultures, and worldviews.

With the principle that every language has value and should be preserved and celebrated, the Centre works to raise awareness about linguistic diversity and the importance of mother languages in education and society. It also provides resources and support for language communities, including language documentation and revitalization efforts.

VISION & MISSION

The Vision of RCML is to create an environment where all individuals can fully develop and ex- press themselves in their native languages without fear of marginalization or discrimination. The Centre is committed to building a more inclusive and equitable world, where people can develop their identities and express themselves in their mother tongue, and it envisions a world where linguistic and cultural diversity is valued and respected.

The Mission of the Centre is to promote, preserve, and protect the linguistic and cultural diversity of communities across Northeast India. This is achieved through various programmes and activities that cover language education and literacy, cultural and linguistic development, research and documentation of endangered languages, and ad- vocacy for language rights. Additionally, the Centre seeks to enhance communication and un- derstanding between different cultures and com- munities by promoting linguistic diversity and multilingualism.

AIMS & OBJECTIVES

The RCML. aims to promote and preserve the linguistic and cultural diversity of different communities in Northeast India with special focus on Arunachal Pradesh. Some of the key objectives of the Centre include:

1. To raise awareness about the importance of mother language education and literacy among people.
2. To facilitate the linguistic and cultural development of minority and indigenous groups by providing linguistic, literary, and cultural support.
3. To encourage the use of mother languages in education, media, literature, and public discourse.
4. To conduct research and documentation of endangered languages, dialects, and cultural practices.
5. To promote linguistic diversity and multilingualism as a means of enhancing understanding, communication, and cooperation between different cultures and communities.
6. To work with governments, education institutions, and organizations to develop policies and practices that support mother language education and language rights.
7. To bring out literatures in the form of books, e-books, pictorial glossaries, dictionaries, bulletins, etc.

ACTION PLAN

The Centre aspires to pursue the following actions in order to best fulfil its vision, mission, and objectives:

1. Outreach Programs to raise awareness about the importance of promoting languages and cultures.
2. Language Documentation and Research:
3. Language Revitalization:
4. Cultural Exchange and Celebrations:
5. Advocacy and Policy Influence:
6. Partnerships and Collaboration:
7. Technology and Digital Tools:

The RIWATCH Centre for Mother Language (RCML) consists of a team of dedicated scholars from linguistics, cultural anthropology, mass communication and social works who have years of teaching and research experience. The team also includes native speakers residing in the vicinity of the centre for easy and quick acquaintance with the language spoken in the nearby localities.

Here’s a brief overview of the three books published on the Idu Mishmi language:

1. “Iniya Idu Ekobe Chicha Ahito Jichi (Let Us Learn Idu)/ Thru (Numerals)”
   ISBN: 978-1-304-92378-3

– This book serves as an introductory guide to learning the Idu Mishmi language, specifically to promote and revitalise the use of the Idu Mishmi native terms for numerals.

2. “Iniya Idu Ekobe Chicha Ahito Jichi (Let Us Learn Idu)/ Jomey (Action Verbs)”
   ISBN: 978-1-312-57462-5

– This book delves into the action verbs used in the Idu Mishmi language. It provides illustrative pictorial demonstrations for various action verbs, aiding learners in understanding how actions are expressed in the language.

3. “Iniya Idu Ekobe Chicha Ahito Jichi (Let Us Learn Idu)/ Ambre Ne Praa-a (Animals & Birds)”
   ISBN: 978-1-304-95828-0

– This book focuses on the vocabulary in Idu Mishmi related to animals and birds with illustrative pictures. The books aim not only to uphold the daily use of Idu Mishmi native terms for animals and bird but also to familiarize the young learners about the faunas found in their land.

These books have been published as a part of the RCML’s efforts to promote and revitalise Idu Mishmi language. They also serve as valuable resources for learners and enthusiasts interested in acquiring proficiency in this language. The centre aims to publish the similar books in all the endangered and lesser-known languages of Arunachal Pradesh.