DHARAMSHALA: Tibet Policy Institute, the research wing of the Central Tibetan Administration, organised a daylong comprehensive discussion cum conference on Tibetan language to mark International Mother Language Day on 21 February. International Mother Language Day is a worldwide annual celebration of linguistic and cultural diversity, formally recognised by the UN General Assembly in its resolution establishing 2008 as the International Year of Languages.

Over eighty scholars, Tibetologists, journalists and teachers of Tibetan language attended the conference, which was held at DIIR’s Lhakpa Tsering Memorial Hall. The chief guest at the conference was Mr Ngodup Tsering, Kalon of the Department of Education.

The conference began with an introductory remark by Ms Tenzin Pema, a researcher at Tibet Policy Institute, who spoke on the evolution of the anniversary.

The introductory remarks were followed by Education Kalon Ngodup Tsering who delivered the keynote address of the conference. He spoke about the importance of preserving the Tibetan language and called for activities and projects that will be conducive for the sustenance of the Tibetan language.

Education Kalon also called for prompt translation of certain terms and words that are currently not in the Tibetan lexicon to make the rich Tibetan language even richer and more expansive.

Others who spoke at the conference include Mr Tashi Tsering, Chairman of Amnye Machen Institute, Mr Rakdo Lobsang Tenzin, Professor at Central University of Tibetan Studies, Ven Lhakpa Tsering, Professor at Central University of Tibetan Studies, Mr Sangye Tendhar from the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, Geshe Lobsang Monlam from Monlam Institute etc..

Mr Thubten Samphel, Director of Tibet Policy Institute, gave the concluding remarks of the conference.