Language Ecology And Ao Naga Language

Abstract

Being located in time and space language evolves and diversifies over time. Accordingly, language is considered as living entity and thereby a social practice within social life making it inseparable from its environment. Language along with its environment follow certain practices in selecting element(s) of sound(s) to combine and multiply words and sentences distinguishing itself with certain specific linguistic traits. This system and behavior frames the basis of Language Ecology or Ecolinguistic system within a particular language being the study of interrelationship of language as living being with and within its environment. The Ao Naga language, spoken majorly in Mokokchung district of Nagaland State of India, is distinguished with certain kind of environment specific linguistic traits amidst other state specific linguistic communities of Nagaland ,namely, Angami – Chakhesang – Chang – Khiemnungan – Khezha – Konyak- Lotha – Phom – Pochury – Rengma – Sangtam – Sema- Yimchungre – Zeliang – Zemi. The distinction of Ao Naga language in categorized word forms will be presented in details along with its mutual intelligibility with other communities with reference to its treatment in Grierson’s Linguistic Survey of India.