Assamese language practices in global diaspora families

Himangshu Ranjan Bhuyan

(himangshur1989@gmail.com)

Language is not merely a tool of communication—it is an embodiment of identity, heritage, memory, and emotion. For every community, especially for those with rich cultural legacies like Assam, language plays an essential role in holding together the thread of civilization through generations. When we talk about the Assamese language, we are referring to more than just a medium of communication. It carries within itself the history of a people, the fragrance of the land, and the rhythm of centuries-old literature, music, and philosophical thought. In such a context, the preservation of the Assamese language becomes a sacred responsibility, not only for those residing within Assam but also for Assamese individuals spread across the globe. The role of the Assamese diaspora in preserving and promoting the language is increasingly becoming crucial as globalisation alters social and linguistic landscapes rapidly.

In the past few decades, globalisation has dramatically expanded the Assamese presence worldwide. Assamese professionals, students, and families have settled in different corners of the world, from North America to Europe and from the Middle East to Southeast Asia. This growing diaspora population has created new cultural junctions where the Assamese identity interacts with other linguistic and cultural influences. While migration opens up immense professional and educational opportunities, it also poses significant challenges for cultural continuity. Among these challenges, the most pressing is the preservation of the Assamese language, especially among the second and third generations born and raised abroad.

Interestingly, many Assamese diaspora members, despite being thousands of miles away from their homeland, have taken conscious initiatives to keep the language alive within their families and communities. Social media platforms often highlight heartwarming instances where diaspora parents teach their children to speak Assamese, sing Assamese songs, or recite poems written by eminent Assamese poets. These glimpses bring hope and inspiration, reminding us that the emotional bond with one’s mother tongue transcends geographic boundaries. In some cases, foreign-born spouses also make sincere efforts to learn Assamese, signifying how the language becomes a bridge of cultural integration within multicultural families.

However, the path of language preservation among diaspora families is not devoid of hurdles. Most children of the Assamese diaspora grow up in linguistic environments where English, local languages, or globally dominant languages like Spanish, Arabic, or French take precedence. Naturally, the children’s academic life, peer interactions, and daily communication are shaped more by these languages than by Assamese. In such settings, Assamese often takes a backseat, sometimes relegated to special occasions or ceremonial usage. If not consciously nurtured, this reduced usage results in limited vocabulary, broken sentence construction, mispronunciation, and ultimately a disconnect from the language. This disconnect gradually stretches into a cultural distance, as language is the primary medium through which culture is experienced, understood, and transmitted.

The preservation of Assamese among diaspora children is thus not simply a linguistic concern—it is a matter of cultural survival. The refined and correct usage of Assamese involves more than speaking in complete sentences; it reflects an understanding of the language’s inherent beauty, its literary richness, and its cultural relevance. If children lose the ability to engage with Assamese literature, music, and traditions in their original linguistic form, their understanding of Assamese identity becomes diluted. Therefore, every attempt made to keep the language relevant in the diaspora context contributes significantly to maintaining Assamese cultural continuity across generations.

Families are the first and most influential institutions when it comes to the nurturing of language. The language spoken at home is a child’s first encounter with linguistic learning. If Assamese parents abroad make a consistent effort to speak Assamese at home, read Assamese books with their children, share lullabies and folktales in Assamese, and introduce the sounds and rhythms of the language early on, children naturally develop an emotional bond with it. However, this requires more than occasional exposure—it needs consistency and intent.

Unfortunately, many parents, in their pursuit of giving their children a competitive edge in global settings, prioritize English or other dominant languages over Assamese. This decision, though understandable, often leads to a linguistic detachment that becomes difficult to reverse.

To counter this trend, diaspora parents must consciously present Assamese not as a burden but as a treasure. When children realise that knowing Assamese adds value to their identity rather than creating a cultural burden, they are more likely to take interest. Simple steps like using Assamese for greetings, teaching children how to read and write Assamese script, encouraging them to watch Assamese films or cartoons, and participating in Assamese festivals while using the language meaningfully can have a lasting impact.

While the family plays a fundamental role, the support of a community amplifies language learning and retention. Assamese diaspora organisations, cultural groups, and social collectives across countries have a critical role in this. Several diaspora communities have already started organising language classes for children, hosting Bihu celebrations, conducting literary meets, and even producing content such as Assamese podcasts, digital magazines, and online discussion forums. Such initiatives bring together children and young adults in a collective space where they can hear, speak, and interact in Assamese. Importantly, these events provide a social incentive to use the language, removing the sense of isolation that can otherwise accompany such efforts in a non-Assamese environment.

Technological advancement offers additional opportunities for Assamese language promotion among the diaspora. The proliferation of digital tools, online learning platforms, mobile applications, and video content can make Assamese language learning more interactive and fun. Video lessons, animated stories in Assamese, vocabulary apps, and gamified quizzes can attract young learners in a format they enjoy. Moreover, social media has allowed Assamese parents and educators to share ideas, methods, and resources for language learning across continents. YouTube channels featuring Assamese nursery rhymes, folk songs, and storytelling are already making an impact, and this digital expansion needs greater support and visibility.

Nonetheless, there are undeniable challenges in creating high-quality digital content in Assamese. Compared to dominant global languages, Assamese content is limited in both volume and technical quality. To compete in the attention economy where children are constantly exposed to high-quality English content, Assamese digital material must be made more engaging and professionally developed. This requires investment—both financial and creative. Government support, cultural grants, and private sponsorships can be instrumental in funding such initiatives. Moreover, language departments in Assamese universities and institutions should consider developing collaborative online curricula that can be accessed by diaspora learners.

Another promising yet underexplored area is the inclusion of Assamese in supplementary academic curricula abroad. While incorporating Assamese in mainstream schools may not be feasible, weekend classes, online certificate courses, or cultural exchange programmes can serve as alternatives. Trained teachers who can teach Assamese as a second or heritage language can be instrumental in such settings. Teaching not only grammar and vocabulary but also stories from Assamese history, lessons from its saints and reformers, and discussions about its festivals and customs can build a comprehensive understanding of Assamese heritage.

A key part of preserving any language among children is ensuring its relevance in their everyday life. If children feel that Assamese has no practical usage, they will naturally become indifferent toward it. Therefore, diaspora families and organisations must innovate ways to embed the language into everyday activities. Holding quiz competitions in Assamese, encouraging creative writing in the language, or even producing digital comic books and memes in Assamese can bring freshness and relatability. Children and young adults today are digital natives, and any serious attempt at language preservation must engage with them on platforms they frequent.

Crucially, the preservation of Assamese in diaspora communities should not be viewed solely through a nostalgic lens. It must be projected as a living, evolving language with space for modern expression. The language must be able to accommodate contemporary topics, global issues, and new experiences of Assamese people abroad. Encouraging diaspora youth to write blogs, record podcasts, or create YouTube videos in Assamese can reflect this dynamism. Assamese must not be confined to traditional themes only—it should evolve to speak of technology, travel, science, pop culture, and the modern diaspora experience in its own idiom. Only then can it remain vibrant and meaningful for future generations.

The responsibility of language preservation also lies with policy-makers and the government of Assam. Strategic outreach initiatives to support Assamese diaspora language programmes, creation of digital Assamese libraries, collaborations with Assamese associations abroad, and financial assistance for developing online Assamese curricula can go a long way in supporting these global efforts. The recent recognition of Assamese as a classical language of India has further elevated its stature, and this prestige should be used to promote its refined usage not only at home but also among global communities.

Finally, it is essential to understand that the preservation of Assamese among diaspora children is not an isolated act of linguistic continuity. It is deeply tied to the survival of the Assamese identity in a rapidly globalising world. When children grow up speaking Assamese, they also grow up internalising the values, stories, and emotional rhythms of Assamese culture. They are able to connect with their grandparents, understand traditional customs, and participate meaningfully in cultural practices. This connection strengthens their self-identity, provides emotional grounding, and creates an anchor in an otherwise fast-moving and sometimes disorienting world.

In conclusion, the role of the Assamese diaspora in preserving the language is a dynamic and multifaceted responsibility. It requires the active involvement of families, communities, organisations, educators, and policy-makers. In Prince’s era of globalisation, where cultural identities are under continuous strain, the refined and explosive practice of Assamese among diaspora children can become a powerful statement of pride, resistance, and continuity. The Assamese language, like a river flowing from the past to the future, needs many tributaries to stay strong and alive. The diaspora, with its global presence and emotional ties, can be one of its most vital lifelines. Through love, effort, and innovation, the Assamese diaspora can ensure that the language of their ancestors continues to sing, speak, and thrive across continents.