Role of Tibetan Women in the Preservation and Perpetuation of the Tibetan Culture in Exile
By Dolkar Lhamo
(Following is a translation of the original text in Tibetan.
Attempts have been made to maintain originality and structure of
the language. However, complex sentences with varying ideas have
been broken into simpler sentences for clarity. )
It is understood that there are numerous countries in this world with its own national identity in language, culture and customs. So do we Tibetans also have our own language, culture and customs that can be proudly presented before other countries because of its uniqueness; this is also the Tibetan people’s soul. A nationality is defined by its language and culture that forms an indispensable tool. If language and culture can be prevented from degenerating so will Tibetan as a nationality not degenerate. Degeneration in language and culture leads to the downfall of a nationality and such a phenomenon is evident in numerous cases of countries in this world. Therefore, we Tibetan brothers and sisters and more importantly Tibetan women should defect from this path of degeneration of Tibetan language and culture. All of us should not look down upon our language and culture and instead consider it of utmost importance in developing it as it is a duty for all of us and an unshakable duty as well as nationalism and voluntary loyalty to one’s own nationality.
However, as a trend in this 21st century some rich Tibetan families instead of sending their children to Tibetan schools to learn Tibetan language and culture, they spend exorbitant money in school fees and send their children to popular schools where in they would learn foreign languages. These children consider this opportunity to learn in a foreign language extremely precious and during the course render their own language useless thus ending up in a situation with no knowledge of one’s own customs and practices in addition to not being able to speak properly in Tibetan language.
Moreover, some parents spend exorbitant amounts in hiring side tuitions for their children to excel in foreign languages. They [parents] being illiterate in the Ka Kha (first two Tibetan alphabets) of Tibetan language, yet preach futility in future to learn Tibetan language. In doing this both parents and their children join a group of senseless people. This poor social situation where in one does not know their own language should be eradicated lest what will become of the future generation if this look down and carelessness upon Tibetan nationality continues. It is a well known sad situation that many children in our contemporary Tibetan society do not even know basic Tibetan language in communicating daily activities. Parents should take prime responsibility in evolving excellent and enthusiastic Tibetan children, who are the future seeds of Tibet, interested in learning their own national language and culture. If parents set an example by not speaking in pidgin Tibetan and dressing improperly and instead speak in pure Tibetan language in front of their children and teach good manners in behaving in front of elderlies in addition to applying habits of prayers in the mornings and evenings which if coupled with graces before meals would yield good results for generations to come. Likewise Tibetan women in general should not stick to their very humble and shy nature and instead irrespective of fame and prizes should stand shoulder to shoulder with women in other countries and also with men in garnering good qualities. In view of this grave time and enormous sufferings endured by our forefathers which still continues, we should engage in debates and research in reviving our language and culture those we have lost and further the good qualities that are intact. We can do this through even dressing up properly and by singing Tibetan songs in creating a impact of Tibetaness on other nationalities.
Culture is the essential soul in promoting one’s nationality. In order to walk on par with advanced nationalities in this dark time is a duty left by history and a precious act provided for by time. Therefore to learn Tibetan language is not a duty of only the poor Tibetans and orphans but a duty for all in view of the Tibetans in Tibet and in further developing the nationality and forms a basis for setting a firm stance in this world.
Nowadays there are many old and hard brain people who conduct their activities in English and send their children in English medium schools internationally with a view that Tibetan language is useless in future and takes immense pride in knowing foreign languages. No matter how well known one is in other’s culture if that particular person does not have minimal base in one’s own language, how can such a person represent Tibetan nationality. Nowadays many children when writing to their parents, relatives and friends use English and find it difficult to write well in Tibetan language. Some parents when writing to Tibetan government departments use English as a medium of communication and there are very few who can write properly in Tibetan language. Perhaps a reason could be that they are advanced scientifically and very well know ledged, yet if a nationality is to promote one’s own language and culture, and it does not take interest in its own language and culture and rather engage in learning foreign languages and new disciplines would eventually lead to the grave danger of demise of Tibetan nationality. While talking on telephones parents and children mostly communicate in a mixture of Tibetan, Chinese and Nepalese languages which eventually make the children unable to comprehend Tibetan words and grammar. This leads to great harm to one’s own language and ultimately we tend to look down upon and take disinterest in our own language which might see a day when there would be no Tibetan as a language and further lead to the lost of Tibetan nationality. In this tumultuous time where we Tibetans are scattered so is our language in grave danger of extinction. All Tibetans should not only take concern and extend support, as a Tibetan no matter where you are we should talk in pure Tibetan thereby protecting the language is an important step. Moreover, rather than always watching television during holidays, parents should engage their children in side classes of Tibetan language and show videos relevant to Tibetan language, some good points can be adopted and thus have an advantage. However, most parents and children nowadays watch foreign movies and hindi language soaps in particular, and take little interest in their children’s studies. And if they miss out on any show then they act as if they lost something valuable. They [parents] consider educating children to be a duty of the school teachers which is totally wrong. Therefore in order to make their children take interest in their own language, if parents could organize various activities it would yield a good base of future seeds of Tibetans. Especially nowadays there is good opportunity in schools for girls; however, girls hardly participate in debates, oral recitations and sports. In all schools there should be separate events for both boys and girls that encourages girls and later after school they can carry this confidence in achievements in the society where they can stand on par with man. Since in all schools there are mixed events, Tibetan girls because of their nature shy away from participation.
In our society if researches can be conducted scientifically and if anyone can specialize in a particular discipline it would be of enormous benefit to the society. Moreover, in order to make children take pleasure in learning Tibetan language, if story books, songs books, films and joke books in Tibetan language can be made, it would greatly help the children and thus protect Tibetan culture. In many countries in the world today there are many colleges built to protect their language and focuses on specialization in a particular subject, we should also built international standard colleges. Just like there are English language websites we too should make Tibetan language websites where in children can make online friends since it is popular among children. Since there are 24 hours news channels in English, likewise news in Tibetan language can also be telecast. In radio services also if there are interactive programmes where in people can request for particular songs, convey messages on special occasions to their parents and relatives living in long distance locations, would lead to good relationship amongst everyone. It is pertinent to bring about standard unbiased Tibetan language documentaries and performances. Since both elderly and young alike like to watch films, it can be easily said that future seeds of Tibet will get encouragement and take pride in the language and thus protect the culture and also get opportunities to show many stories and legends.
Authors of standard papers and novels in Tibetan language should be accorded due recognition in our society and if good prizes can be given to them, the current writers and students too can get encouragements. Making use of modern education if text can be brought about in Tibetan language, studies can be conducted in Tibetan, which would bring about revival of lost qualities in our language and bring further development in the good qualities intact.
Currently youngsters cannot understand many terms and concepts in spiritual text, which leads to disinterest in Buddhism. If some of the Buddhist text can be rendered into easy to understand Tibetan language and grammar, growth in interest by the future seeds of Tibet cannot be ruled out.
As the Tibetan Women’s Association attached great importance and supervision to the current project, likewise in future too if the association can bring about and distribute compilation of articles and poems in Tibetan language it would be most beneficial for the women in our free and democratic society to make use of this democratic platform in championing the cause of Tibetan language and culture. Not only will it symbolize a reminder of sincerity to the future seeds of Tibet, it can lead to encouragement and pride as well as duty of all Tsampa eating Tibetans both inside and out of Tibet. I therefore request all to bear this in mind.