Dear Hazarika-da,
I really should not get involved in a discussion of a subject that I have little knowledge of. However, I do get curious about a few things here. And that is why the long winded response. Please take them for what they are worth. I have no illusions about what that might be: ** I don't know that anyone is questioning the state of development of the Assamese language. The question, at least in MY mind, in regard to the various 'xo's,and as Neep points out, the 'no's, the 'to's and 'so's etc. is that even though these had validity in the Sanskrit root and other languages like Bengali or Hindi, they no longer find any usage in the SPOKEN Assamese language. And therefore must we continue to follow these 'written' only conventions that dicate the usage of these letters designating subtle differences of the sounds? It only tends to make the learning of the language unnecessarily complex. My gut reaction would be that, for the survival and progress of the Assamese language depends on its expanded popularity. One possibility of such expanded popularity might lie with the people of the seven-sisters. One might argue that it makes good sense to make the language simpler by discarding what has become redundant. It would be like shedding dead skin. Molting, if you would. ** The 'confusion' related to the use of the Roman letter 'x' to represent the Assamese 'xo' sound is confusing only to those who are not at all initiated to that particular sound in the Assamese language. It could be irritating to SOME of us Kharkhowas, but definitely not confusing. And to those who are not familiar with the nuance, they must be first explained what it means, or represents. Like Sanjib Baruah did in his book India Against Itself, which was expected to be read by a population that is wider than the realm of Assamese speakers. It is a process of educating the un-initiated. ** I have empathy for your wish that it would be nice to have "an universally accepted norm representing the correct pronunciation. People other than Assamese who are not familiar with Assamese language tend to say / pronounce an Assamese word whichever way they can - 'Assami' to say Assamese language like Bengali, Hindi, Marathi etc unless you clarify it to them that we call 'Assamiya' - the question is what will you say in Roman script - Axomiya or Asomiya (as written by Asomiya Pratidin), etc.?" Now imagine English, the most widely used language of the world today, and how it is pronounced by its users. I suspect the English language purists in the UK wince in pain every time they hear an Indian speak their language, or an an Assamese, or an American, never mind the French :-). Therefore I don't know if it is a cause worth pursuing. But I do understand Assamese disappointments, even resentments, at fellow Indians' UNWILLINGNESS, even though it might only be inadvertent, to learn how another fellow Indian state's name is pronounced or their residents called. We do realize, it is so because Assam is NOT important enough to them. NOT their fault. But if they claim Assam to be their blood brethren, as they do when the ownership of the land of Assam is concerned; they might be expected to know what their brethren are called or their name pronounced. The least one would expect. ** I am definitely NOT persuaded on the argument that "---an universally acceptable norm in respect of equivalent alphabet of for writing in Roman script could only be agreed by the authorities in Assam". I think it is quite the opposite. The people in Assam don't have to deal with the nuances of the 'xo' sound. They already know it. It is those of us, who find the need to represent the sound with a letter of the Roman alphabet, and the English language users of Assam who use the medium in communicating with those outside Assam; that have the problem. And as such it need not be something that MUST be blessed or approved by the AUTHORITIES in Assam. However it will certainly HELP if they participated or took the leadership in developing a STANDARD for it. But if Assam Sahitya Sabha ASS ( OXX to me :-)) or the universities or the media in Assam are NOT interested in it, like they were not in the past, it is their prerogative. They have more urgent problems to deal with. Under those circumstance, WE who deal with it almost everyday, still could find an acceptable form of representing the 'xo' sound, coudn't we? ** Finally, I have yet another gripe I would like for you all to consider: That is the use of the letter 'a', as in Mahanta or the letter 'o' as in Sondon. Those of us in North America are always facing the problem of our names with many 'a's, literally being bent out of shape by Americans pronouncing Chandan as Chenden. I wished, way back when, it would habve been spelt the way it sounds in Assamese, like Sondon Mohonto. That is why I really dislike Oxom being written as Asom for example. Heck it is a whole lot more convoluted than Assam. Regards. :-) :-) :-) :-) Sondon Kharkhowa Mohonto St. Louis, USA At 10:59 AM +0000 11/9/02, gagon hazarika wrote: > Raiz, Assamese is a fully developed language like English having its >own grammar. Every alphabet occupies its unique position as it should >do. Talobya 'Xo' - thirtieth letter, Mudhanya 'Xo' - thirtyfirst >letter and Dontiya 'Xo'- thirty second letter of the Assamese consonant >have its own defined usages. Eliminating one alphabet, I believe, will >require re writing the grammar which as most of you agree will be a very >difficult task. Adding a new word is nothing new - in English >language several new words are being added every year; Assamese is no >exception. The debate is what English alphabet is to be >used to represent a particular Assamese alphabet while writing in Roman >script. Using 'X' for 'Xo' etc. is very recent and confusing. What I >believe we need is an universally accepted norm representing the correct >pronunciation. People other than Assamese who are not familiar with >Assamese language tend to say / pronounce an Assamese word whichever way >they can - 'Assami' to say Assamese language like Bengali, Hindi, >Marathi etc unless you clarify it to them that we call 'Assamiya' - the >question is what will you say in Roman script - Axomiya or Asomiya (as >written by Asomiya Pratidin), etc.? I remember at the time of Assamese >State Language campaign in 1962 one of my friend while travelling in UP >became very angry when a fellow traveller said - you speak Assami - >accused. I think an universally acceptable norm in respect of >equivalent alphabet of for writing in Roman script could only be agreed by >the authorities in Assam - who I believe is not only ASS but also the >Universities where research is being carried out in phonetics in >conjunction with the State Government. Therefore may I suggest we >raise the matter with ASS first to seek their guidance. If you >agree, can some one take the initiative please to circulate a draft >letter, which could be addressed to the President Elect Dr Biren Dutta >ASS at Silpukhuri Guwahati who is also involved presently in compiling >the Assamese Encyclopaedia. Regards Gagon Hazarika ASSUK
