Centre for Studies in Languages

North East India is a cultural mosaic of different ethnic and linguistic group of attraction. Hence, it is considered as a paradise for the linguists where a large number of Tibbeto-Chinese origin languages are found besides Indo-European and Austro-Asiatic languages. The Tibbeto-Chinese family of Language of North-east India includes two great branches namely Tibbeto-Burman and Thai-Chin. These two branches of languages cover almost major geographical areas of the region. The entire geographical area covered by the states Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur, Tripura, parts of Meghalaya and parts of Assam are covered by the speakers of this great Tibbeto Chinese family of language. The Thai-Chin branch which is also known as Siamese Chinese language or Tai Kadai having its own traditional script with large number of written and oral literatures. The Tibbeto-Burman speakers have their own traditional oral literatures and now a days, they are trying to develop their language through adopted script. It is also a fact that some of the languages and dialects are already lost and few are at the point of endanger. Assamese language of Indo-European family is a major lingua-franca in the North-east India while other ethnic languages are communicating locally among the respective linguistic groups.

Dibrugarh University, the easternmost University of India is situated in the near vicinity of the international boundary of China and Myanmar. Most of the ethnic groups and languages of North-East India has its close affinity with the languages and culture of either South East Asia or of the West. As a part of Act East policy and for enhancement of preservation, academic exercise, connectivity and for unlocking tourism barriers with the South-East Asian countries this linguistic and cultural affinity may be instrumental towards building bridges with the South-East Asian countries and even with the West. Therefore, the Centre for Studies in Language was set up with the aim of imparting quality education in the field of Indian and foreign languages.

The Centre for Studies in Language has collaborative programme with Kasetsart University, Bangkok Thailand for which a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by the University. As affiliating institute of Dibrugarh University the Institute of Tai Studies and Research, Moranhat is conducting two courses viz. (1) One year Post Graduate Diploma in Tai Language course and (2) Three Months Certificate Course in Spoken Tai.