Apatani Dictionary - A Review

Apatani Dictionary: Let's write in Apatani by Habung Donyi is a milestone in preservation and development of Apatani language.

-G. Tallo

The declining trend of using Apatani by young Apatanis in their day to day conversation has been a cause of concern since long. There has been an urgent need to develop, popularize and preserve the language. In response, some pioneering works on Apatani language have been done by the likes of I.M Simon, Tasso Sai, Takhe Kani, Mihin Kaning and others. Habung Donyi’s "Apatani Dictionary: Let’s write in Apatani" stood out among the best of the related works done so far. It has immense bearing on the development and preservation of the language.

This formidable work of Habung Donyi runs into second revised edition and was released on the occasion of Dree festival, 2008. It is an Apatani to English dictionary; contains around 11,000 words, has 266 pages plus 23 additional pages of explanatory notes on letters, pronounciation and word formation involving verb roots. The dictionary is priced at Rs. 150 and available at all leading bookstalls in Ziro and Itanagar. A must reference book every Apatani household should adorn their bookshelves.

The second revised edition saw some welcome improvement over the first edition. The looking for words made easier by entering the words formed from similar verb roots as sub-entry of the verb root. That is, the words aba, abo, ado, ama, ane, ato etc., are found under the verb root ‘a’ (to come). The letter ñ has been omitted and the letter n or ng are being used in its place depending upon the stress on the letter n. This author feels that the letter e (e underlined) too need to be omitted to avoid inconvenience in writing and typing. The letter e can be directly used for two different phonetic sound in Apatani i.e., e as in pet, set etc., and e /e/ as in tader /tad…r/ (1. n. intestinal worm, 2 adj. audible). Besides, this author feels that some compound words are entered in the dictionary wrongly as single words which at times can confuse the reader e.g, akhiingamii means confused (should be written as akhiin-amii or akhiing-amii), abhinanii means swing (should be written as abhi nanii or abhi-nanii), adhunarun means idiot, foolish (should be written as adhun-arun).

The dictionary being first of the kind- Apatani to English dictionary, compiling more than ten thousand words with precise meanings would have been daunting task for the author. However, he has done it commendably well. With this commendable work of Habung Donyi a milestone is reached in development and preservation of Apatani language. Nevertheless, we have miles to go before the mission is accomplished.

The another work of Habung Donyi, the Anglo-Apatani Dictionary (English to Apatani dictionary), which is already in the market, is worth a see.

Would Arunachal ever be able to produce footballer of repute?

Jainem Memorial Football Tournament recently concluded at Jairampur which saw participation of teams from neighboring state Assam, besides the local teams. This Football tournament is being organized since past 3 years by an ASM of the area in memory of his daughter who departed for heavenly abode at a tender age of 6.

Arif mailed me some moments of the tournament that he captured during the finals, which was played between Balinong Village Club and 9^th Mile Club of Assam, where Balinong Village Club defeated the Assam Club very convincingly by 3-0. The winning team carried away the trophy along with cash prize of INR 14000/- whereas runner-up team had to contend with cash award of INR 7000/-.

In his mail, Arif remarked that watching Arunachal football is an altogether different experience as he finds it more 'dynamic' and 'dashing', which I couldn't agree more and it triggered a whole lot of thought process in me.

In a State where football is followed religiously and played with great zeal, I wonder, why is it not able to produce even a single footballer of repute from the state?

Let's see what could be the reasons.

Is it because we lack talent or potential?

Like above Jainem Memorial Football Tournament, several other football tournaments are organized in the state like Tadar Tang Memorial Football Tournament, Dree Football Tournament etc. Having heard about the performance of teams and players in these tournaments and having closely followed Dree Football Tournament since long, where the teams displays very good coordination, skills and game tactics without any formal coaching or training, it doesn't seem that the Arunachalee footballer’s lack talent or skills. All they need is proper grooming to show competitive performance in the national event and to win the tournament. Then......

Is it that the State lacks proper training institute or coaching centers to groom the players?

May be, but then, don't we have Sangey Lhaden Sports Academy?

Does the footballer lack exposure?

Certainly, that’s what I feel. Though, the footballer of the state has the exposure to local tournaments, I feel they have very little exposure to national level tournaments or events from where they could learn and improve their game play. Also if exposed, they could show their true potential and talent to attract the potential Selectors of the football clubs or the national team.

Don’t we have Football Federation/Association to promote Football and footballers?

Well, we have Arunachal Pradesh Football Association with its office at Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, Naharlagun and Jarbom Gamlin as President and G. Doke as Secretary. In the AIFF official website, it has been mentioned that there is lot of disparity in functioning of the State Associations with some of the Associations having only one room as it’s office where the attendance of the office bearer is irregular. Also, some of the State Associations regulation is not in conformity with the AIFF regulation.

“There is a lot of disparity in the functioning of the State Associations.

A few State Associations, which have the resources, have well equipped and well staffed office. Some have just one room office where the Secretary or any other office bearer comes after the office hours of his regular work/job.”

So, do our State Football Association fall in that category where the Association is formed and office bearer selected for the sake of it without doing much for promoting Football in the State?

Is it because the footballers have never thought of Football as their career option?

I was having a discussion with friend on what could be the reasons for Arunachalee footballers not exceeding in football despite having immense natural talent. His blunt reply was ‘physique’ which I felt, to a certain extent was true. Apart from that he said that the State Footballer has never taken Football seriously to be considered as their career option or profession and there is always no support from family to pursue the game as their profession.

Here, I would say there is lack of government support. I haven’t heard of any special initiative by the government to promote outstanding sportspersons (well, atleast not in my knowledge :)). Perhaps this has dissuaded the aspiring footballers to take football seriously to be considered as their profession and has made their parents not to encourage them to follow football seriously.

Now coming to the question, ‘pan class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Would Arunachal ever be able to produce footballer of repute?’

Well, I’m keeping my fingers crossed. But, I feel with little support from government or individuals who are capable of sponsoring the talented sportsperson and little initiative of APFA we can produce footballer of repute. What do you say?

P.S. Well, I've poured in my thoughts and I would like to hear from you on whether Arunachal would be able to produce footballer of repute or on what could be the reasons that you are able to come up that is preventing the talented footballers from making it's mark. Do pour in your comments.

Would Arunachal ever be able to produce footballer of repute?

Jainem Memorial Football Tournament recently concluded at Jairampur which saw participation of teams from neighboring state Assam, besides the local teams. This Football tournament is being organized since past 3 years by an ASM of the area in memory of his daughter who departed for heavenly abode at a tender age of 6.

Arif mailed me some moments of the tournament that he captured during the finals, which was played between Balinong Village Club and 9^th Mile Club of Assam, where Balinong Village Club defeated the Assam Club very convincingly by 3-0. The winning team carried away the trophy along with cash prize of INR 14000/- whereas runner-up team had to contend with cash award of INR 7000/-.

In his mail, Arif remarked that watching Arunachal football is an altogether different experience as he finds it more 'dynamic' and 'dashing', which I couldn't agree more and it triggered a whole lot of thought process in me.

In a State where football is followed religiously and played with great zeal, I wonder, why is it not able to produce even a single footballer of repute from the state?

Let's see what could be the reasons.

Is it because we lack talent or potential?

Like above Jainem Memorial Football Tournament, several other football tournaments are organized in the state like Tadar Tang Memorial Football Tournament, Dree Football Tournament etc. Having heard about the performance of teams and players in these tournaments and having closely followed Dree Football Tournament since long, where the teams displays very good coordination, skills and game tactics without any formal coaching or training, it doesn't seem that the Arunachalee footballer’s lack talent or skills. All they need is proper grooming to show competitive performance in the national event and to win the tournament. Then......

Is it that the State lacks proper training institute or coaching centers to groom the players?

May be, but then, don't we have Sangey Lhaden Sports Academy?

Does the footballer lack exposure?

Certainly, that’s what I feel. Though, the footballer of the state has the exposure to local tournaments, I feel they have very little exposure to national level tournaments or events from where they could learn and improve their game play. Also if exposed, they could show their true potential and talent to attract the potential Selectors of the football clubs or the national team.

Don’t we have Football Federation/Association to promote Football and footballers?

Well, we have Arunachal Pradesh Football Association with its office at Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, Naharlagun and Jarbom Gamlin as President and G. Doke as Secretary. In the AIFF official website, it has been mentioned that there is lot of disparity in functioning of the State Associations with some of the Associations having only one room as it’s office where the attendance of the office bearer is irregular. Also, some of the State Associations regulation is not in conformity with the AIFF regulation.

“There is a lot of disparity in the functioning of the State Associations.

A few State Associations, which have the resources, have well equipped and well staffed office. Some have just one room office where the Secretary or any other office bearer comes after the office hours of his regular work/job.”

So, do our State Football Association fall in that category where the Association is formed and office bearer selected for the sake of it without doing much for promoting Football in the State?

Is it because the footballers have never thought of Football as their career option?

I was having a discussion with friend on what could be the reasons for Arunachalee footballers not exceeding in football despite having immense natural talent. His blunt reply was ‘physique’ which I felt, to a certain extent was true. Apart from that he said that the State Footballer has never taken Football seriously to be considered as their career option or profession and there is always no support from family to pursue the game as their profession.

Here, I would say there is lack of government support. I haven’t heard of any special initiative by the government to promote outstanding sportspersons (well, atleast not in my knowledge :)). Perhaps this has dissuaded the aspiring footballers to take football seriously to be considered as their profession and has made their parents not to encourage them to follow football seriously.

Now coming to the question, ‘Would Arunachal ever be able to produce footballer of repute?’

Well, I’m keeping my fingers crossed. But, I feel with little support from government or individuals who are capable of sponsoring the talented sportsperson and little initiative of APFA we can produce footballer of repute. What do you say?

P.S. Well, I've poured in my thoughts and I would like to hear from you on whether Arunachal would be able to produce footballer of repute or on what could be the reasons that you are able to come up that is preventing the talented footballers from making it's mark. Do pour in your comments.