Assamese, actually known simply as Asamiya, is a state language spoken in Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and also in Bangladesh and Bhutan. About 15 to 20 million people speak the Assamese language. Most of the areas in the Brahmaputra Valley speak Assamese. Bengali and Assamese language have many similarities except some differences.
'Assamese' is the English form of the actual language name Asamiya. The Assamese language has been declared by the Indian Constitution as one of the major languages of the Republic of India. Although the language originated in the 7th century, its literature came only in the 14th century. But according to history its says that the Assamese literature existed even before the 14th century.
History of Assamese Language
The Assamese language originated from Eastern Magadhi, and derives from Sanskrit. The traditional script for Assamese was Brahmi script but recently, the Latin script has taken over.
Assamese is an Indo-European language spoken in the North-Eastern state of India, Assam. It is the native language of the Assamese people and is written in its own script, which resembles Bengali and Oriya scripts.
Assamese has a rich literary heritage. It has a long history of folk songs, ballads, proverbs, stories and dramas. The first book ever published in Assamese was Saptakanda Ramayana, which was written by Kaliprasanna Singha in 1857.
The Modernization of Assamese Language
The Assamese language is a beautiful language that has evolved over time. It is the only Indo-Aryan language that has preserved its identity in the region.
The modernization of Assamese Language is not only limited to word choice, but also includes issues like grammar and style. However, it is important to note that the modernization should not lead to a formalization of Assamese.
The Assamese language is continuously evolving with the changing times. It is now undergoing a modernization process by incorporating words from other languages to cater to the modern world.
Many Assamese language dictionaries will now include words like laptop, Wi-Fi, Android and so on. This is because the word “bru” which was traditionally used for these items has taken on a completely different meaning in today’s world. This modernization of the langauge is also happening in many other Indian languages as they have gone through a similar evolution over time.
Assamese people know that their language will survive only if they take efforts to protect it from globalization and modernization. They also need to make sure that their cultural values are not overshadowed by these two factors.
The Assamese language has its own beauty and charm and it is gradually evolving with the time.