By Anjuman Ara Begum, TwoCircles.net,
Guwahati: Jatiya Abhidhan Sampadana Samity of Assam has launched the second volume of Asomiya Jatiya Abhidhan, a unique Assamese dictionary containing 65,000 entries that include words and dialects of tribals and ethnic communities of Assam.
Noted literary personality Bhasacharya Golok Chandra Goswami released the dictionary at a function recently held at B. Borooah College auditorium, Guwahati. The launching function was attended by Mamoni Raisom Goswami and many other eminent personalities of the state.
Bhasacharya Golok Chandra Goswami, in his inaugural speech, said, “Nowadays amazing iphone application translates words instantly. The developed languages in the world have reached an unimaginable position. We can’t imagine such position for Assamese language now but then why we can’t take initiatives to improve our language.” Efforts should be made to prepare the dictionaries of the local languages of the state, he urged.
Jnanpith awardee and noted literary personality Mamoni Raisom Goswami alias Indira Goswami who is famous for her active role in the Government–ULFA peace talks, said that what made Assam a beautiful garden is the words of the indigenous languages. The words borrowed from other languages like English will not destroy the Assamese language.
In an interview with TwoCircles.net, Dr Debabrata Sarma, the chief editor of the dictionary, provided more information about the dictionary:
There are so many dictionaries in the market. What is the uniqueness of this dictionary?
This is the only dictionary that includes words, dialects of tribals and ethnic communities of Assam inhabiting in between Sadiya to Dhubri [upper Assam to lower Assam]. Moreover for the first time technological terms have also been included in this dictionary that contains 65,000 words in one volume.
How many volumes will be there and what is the cost of the dictionary?
There will be four volumes; each volume would be priced at Rs.1000/ but the whole set of four volumes will be available in Rs 3000/
How long did it take you to complete the dictionary?
The work started in 1998 and we engaged 35 full time workers, 100 part time workers and about 1000 volunteers and worked for 13 years to complete the two volumes. Now we are working on the third volume.
How have you managed the work?
For the first time, software was developed for the dictionary. This is a unique software that took about two and half years to develop. My neighbor friend Indra Kanta Dutta is a software engineer working in USA. He developed the software for free.
Any negative feedback you got for this dictionary?
The dictionary is criticized on the ground that it has included ‘non-Assamese’ words like that of the different dialects. But Assam is not only upper Assam. It has composite heritage and hence we need to include all the words that are spoken by the people here.