Mizo language (duhlian): Marker of Mizo Identity

Culture is a defining feature of a person's identity, contributing to how they see themselves and the groups with which they identify. Culture may be broadly defined as the sum total of ways of living built up by a group of human beings, which is transmitted from one generation to another. Every community, cultural group or ethnic group has its own values, beliefs and ways of living. The observable aspects of culture such as food, clothing, celebrations, religion and language are only part of a person's cultural heritage. The shared values, customs and histories characteristic of culture shape the way a person thinks, behaves and views the world. A shared cultural heritage bonds the members of the group together and creates a sense of belonging through community acceptance.

Language is intrinsic to the expression of culture. As a means of communicating values, beliefs and customs, it has an important social function and fosters feelings of group identity and solidarity. It is the means by which culture and its traditions and shared values may be conveyed and preserved. Language is fundamental to cultural identity. This is so for people everywhere. For this reason, it is important that people keep their own language alive. As languages disappear, cultures die. The world becomes inherently a less interesting place, but we also sacrifice raw knowledge and the intellectual achievements of millennia. The use of community languages is important both for individual and group identity and for communication across generations.

This is also true in the context of Mizo or Zo. Our linguistic diversity has always been embedded in space, time and group, and has been reduced over the last hundred years with the arrival of the British. While 'Mizo-Duhlian' is now the dominant language, many people speak a language other than 'Mizo (duhlian)' as their first language within their families and communities. Over three "languages" (Lai, Mara and Hmar) other than Mizo (duhlian) are spoken in Mizoram today. The acquisition of proficiency in "Standard Mizo (duhlian)", together with the maintenance of community languages is therefore a significant issue in Mizoram and to their cognate tribes of Kuki, Thado, Paite and Zomi of Manipur, Zomi of Burma, Mru, Bawm, Pang and Lusei of Bangladesh, Hmar, Kuki and Lusei of Assam, and Lusei, Zo, Zhou and Falam of Tripura. Proficiency in 'Mizo (duhlian)' is critical for successful participation in the Mizo society and for exchanging information about the values and perspectives of cultures. Similarly, proficiency in first language skills is essential for self-enrichment and expression of identity. In large parts of Mizoram, the loss of a great number of dialects (eg Ralte, Fanai-Lai) means that for many people, Mizo (duhlian) is their first language and is a particular marker of identity. Mizo (duhlian) developed as a means of communication for Mizos between people of different clans/lineages/sub-groups and even with non-Mizo people of the Riangs (settle in western border of Mizoram and Tripura) and the Chakmas (settle in Southern border of Mizoram and Bangladesh). Mizo (duhlian) is now an important marker of identity for all "Mizos" irrespective of their kin-group, clan, lineage and sub-group.