Let's stop making fun of our National Language

A screen shot of Kuensel article (27/01/2012)

Private newspapers are complaining once again and rightly so. Please don’t mistake me for being an enemy of our national language. In fact I have always been an ardent supporter of the idea that Dzongkha needs to be promoted, in my own capacity. Newspapers were forcefully made to carry out the burden of bringing out Dzongkha editions. When someone is forced to do something often the outcome is a poorly executed work. Some papers feel that it is financial burden to carry out the noble “responsibility”.

In the first place, these so-called Dzongkha inserts are poorly written; rather poorly translated. They are printed in black and white; thereby rendering them less attractive. Photos are hardly visible. The quality is hardly up to the mark. Just by printing a few pages of poorly translated Dzongkha inserts in English papers would contribute towards the promotion of our national language is a misguided notion. At the most it makes pokes fun at our language. It is a pity that our newspapers are made to do this.

And now that we have Dzongkha papers, we should allow these papers do the honor. We should make every possible effort in providing them support and let's put to practice what is reflected in the policies. If we can render them adequate support then half the work is done. But right now, these Dzongkha papers are fighting in the market for their share of government advertisement money. If we have a policy in place, then slowly more people would be interested to bring out Dzongkha papers in the country. And not under pressure.

I think the concerned authority should really look into the matter and stop our newspapers from making fun of our national language. If in future these papers are develop the capacity then we should allow them to bring out independent Dzongkha papers. But please please say NO to these step-child like Dzongkha inserts. It is a joke.

And it is a pure betrayal to our national language. Adopt some other practical and workable methods to promote it.

Comments

When they are ready

The Ministry of Education discovered 890 'underage' children admitted in schools across the country in 2019. Thus, the ministry in May 2019 issued a notification revoking the admission for these children. Majority were in urban centres. Desperate, parents and the affected schools requested the government to intervene. They also requested the government to consider lowering the enrolment age to five years. Currently, in Bhutan a child can legally go to school only when s(he) is six years old. And that policy was strictly followed a few years ago to the extent that some schools refused to admit children even if they were short of a few weeks. So, parents, mostly in urban areas, resorted to faking their children's ages. Many parents were guilty of adding years onto their children's actual ages. However, most parents, we are told, managed to correct their 'mistakes' later. Faking a child's age was rampant...

The Vanishing Currency of a Bhutanese Village

Growing up in rural Bhutan, the richest people in the village often had very little cash. They were known as chukpo , 'the ones with cattle'. And no one asked how much money a person had in the bank. No one or only a countable few had bank accounts, anyway. Wealth was measured in fields, cattle, grains, and the ability to carry a family through the seasons. Cash existed, but it played only a small role. Most exchanges happened through barter. Rice for chillies, soya beans for Sichuan peppers, cheese for eggs. I still remember that a ball of homemade cheese was worth two fresh eggs. Nobody needed a calculator because people simply knew. The most remarkable part of the system was the exchange of labour. During sowing and planting seasons, families needed extra hands, yet labour was rarely paid in cash. If I spent three days helping on your farm, you spent three days helping on mine in return. No contract was needed to be signed. No money changed hands. Wealthier households so...

Community of Bhutanese Bloggers Conceived

And finally it happened. I must say that it was by far the most attended Bloggers Meet. In the past we had bloggers agree to attend and cancel at the very last minute. But on June 24, 2015 – almost 100% of bloggers, who confirmed came. I would like to thank everyone for keeping his/her words, especially those who had to come all the way from Wangdue or Paro. Thank you! 35 Bhutanese bloggers met in Thimphu. We were honored to have the presence of senior bloggers like Aue Yeshi Dorji and Dasho Sangay Khandu. The meeting assumed more significance because of their presence. Equally, we were happy to have many young bloggers in whom we see so much enthusiasm and potential. On top of many things that transpired during the Meet, one of the most significant outcomes was the unanimous decision reached to form a formal group of bloggers, a platform aimed at encouraging and inspiring more bloggers around the country. The members decided that we will call it Community of Bhutanese Blogger...

Ngawang Phuntsho

Search This Blog