Mazhar Ali Dootio
mazhar.myresearch@gmail.com
Sindhi language is spoken primarily in the Sindh province of
Pakistan, however, it is spoken by Sindhi people in India and other countries
of world. It has a rich literary history. Despite its history and the size of
its speaker community, Sindhi has not been widely adopted globally and its
status as a language of international communication is limited. However, the
language is protected and promoted by the government of Sindh, and there is a
vibrant community of Sindhi-speaking people around the world who continue to
use the language and preserve its cultural heritage. The digital development of
the Sindhi language has been limited, but efforts are being made to increase
its presence online. There are a few Sindhi-language websites, social media
pages, and online forums where people can communicate in the language and share
content. There have also been some initiatives to develop Sindhi language
processing tools, such as sentiment analysis application, annotation and
parsing tools, spell checkers, grammar checkers, and machine translation
systems. However, these tools are still in the early stages of development and
have a good accuracy. Nevertheless, the increased availability of technology
and the growth of the internet have opened up new opportunities for the
promotion and preservation of the Sindhi language in the digital age.
There has been limited research on the Sindhi language using
Natural Language Processing (NLP), computational linguistics, and machine
learning. However, there have been some recent initiatives to develop NLP tools
for Sindhi, such as part-of-speech taggers, named entity recognition systems,
and sentiment analysis systems. These tools aim to improve the processing and
analysis of Sindhi text, making it easier for researchers and developers to
work with the language. In addition, there have been some studies that have
applied machine learning techniques, such as classification and clustering
algorithms, to analyze and understand the linguistic features of Sindhi. Overall,
the research work in this area is still in its early stages, but it holds great
potential for the promotion and preservation of the Sindhi language. By
developing NLP tools and applying machine learning techniques, researchers can
better understand the language, identify its unique features, and promote its use
in a variety of applications, such as language education and digital media. The
government of Sindh has made some contributions to the preservation and
promotion of the Sindhi language. One of the key initiatives taken by the
government has been the establishment of the Sindhi Language Authority, which
is responsible for promoting and standardizing the use of the Sindhi language.
The Authority works to develop new teaching materials, organize language
classes, and promote the use of the Sindhi language in government and private
institutions. The Abdul Majid Bhurgari Institute of Language Engineering
(AMBILE) is another important organization that has made significant
contributions to the Sindhi language. This institute is dedicated to the
development and promotion of the Sindhi language and works to develop
language-related technology, such as software and other tools that can be used
to teach and preserve the language. AMBILE also conducts research on the Sindhi
language and provides training to language teachers and researchers. However,
more work and contributions are required to save the Sindhi language from
extinction as global cultures, lingua franca and digital age are main sources
to extinct the scarce resources languages.
International Mother Language Day, celebrated on February 21st
every year, is a day to recognize the importance of linguistic and cultural
diversity and to promote multilingual education. This year’s theme,
“Multilingual Education: A Necessity to Transform Education,” highlights the
crucial role that multilingual education plays in shaping the future of
education and society.
The use of language plays a significant role in a variety of
settings, including markets, educational institutions, government
organizations, homes, society, and private organizations. The use of a native
language in the market facilitates communication and exchange of goods and
services. It helps in building trust and understanding between buyers and
sellers, and makes it easier to negotiate and transact. In educational
institutions, the use of language is crucial for teaching and learning. It is
used to convey knowledge and ideas, and to develop students' linguistic and
communication skills. In government organizations, the use of native language
is important for administrative and legislative purposes. It helps in the
dissemination of information and the implementation of policies and
regulations. In homes, the use of mother language is vital for family
communication and building relationships. It helps in expressing emotions,
sharing experiences, and passing on cultural values and traditions. In society,
the use of native language helps in the formation of social bonds and the
promotion of cultural diversity. It allows individuals to express themselves
and their opinions, and to participate in community life. In conclusion, the
use of mother language has numerous advantages and benefits in different
settings, promoting communication, understanding, and social and economic
progress as well as in saving language and its culture.
Viewing the importance of native or mother langue the use of
the Sindhi language in markets, educational institutions, government
organizations, homes, society, and private organizations can play a significant
role in preserving the language and preventing its extinction. By using Sindhi
in local markets, it helps in maintaining the language's presence and promoting
its use among traders and consumers. This can also help in keeping traditional
Sindhi cultural practices alive. By using Sindhi in government organizations or
departments, it helps in maintaining the language's official status and
promoting its use in administrative and legislative processes. This can also
help in promoting the language's use in media and communications. By using Sindhi
in private organizations, it helps in promoting the language's use in business
dealings and internal communication. This can also help in creating job
opportunities for Sindhi-speaking individuals and promoting the language's
presence in the workplace. By using Sindhi in homes, it helps in passing on the
language and cultural traditions to future generations. It also helps in
maintaining the language's presence in daily life and promoting its use in
social interactions. By using Sindhi in society, it helps in promoting the
language's presence in cultural events and festivals, and in maintaining its
role in community life. It also helps in fostering a sense of identity and
pride among Sindhi-speaking individuals. The use of the Sindhi language in
different settings in society can play a crucial role in preserving the
language and preventing its extinction. By promoting its use and increasing its
visibility, the Sindhi language can continue to thrive and be passed on to
future generations. By including Sindhi in the curriculum of educational
institutions, it helps in promoting language proficiency and cultural awareness
among students.
The future of Sindhi, is of particular concern in light of
globalization and its impact on language diversity. Sindhi is a language spoken
by millions of people, primarily in Pakistan and India, but it is facing
threats of extinction due to the widespread use of dominant languages, such as
English, Urdu and Hindi. To ensure the future of Sindhi, it is essential to
promote Sindhi as the market language, medium of public and private school education
in Sindh and to provide the necessary resources and support for students to
develop their language skills. This can be done by creating a supportive and
inclusive environment in schools, where students feel comfortable using their
native language, and by providing language classes, tutors, and language
exchange programs. In addition, governments must prioritize the development of
multilingual education in big cities of Sindh as well as make the Sindhi the
main language in whole province, investing in the necessary resources and
infrastructure to make it a reality. This includes providing teacher training
and curriculum development, as well as promoting the use of Sindhi language in
media and other cultural platforms.
In conclusion, the future of less resource languages like Sindhi is closely tied to the success of multilingual education. By promoting linguistic and cultural diversity and by providing the necessary resources and support, we can help to ensure the future of this important language and to create a more inclusive and interconnected world.
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