In 2006, the Government of Manipur, India, officially replaced the Bengali script with Meetei Mayek for writing Meeteilon (the only Tibeto-Burman language with its own script and written culture in Northeast India) in schools, following decades of public protest and cultural assertion. While this marked a symbolic return to indigenous identity, it also created a generational divide in script literacy. The younger generation, trained only in Meetei Mayek, is increasingly unable to access the bulk of modern Manipuri literature and archival materials, which remain in Bengali script. The older generation, meanwhile, often lacks knowledge of Meetei Mayek. The current literacy demography in Meeteilon can broadly be categorized into four groups: those literate only in the Bengali script, those literate only in Meetei Mayek, bilingual readers proficient in both scripts, and those unable to read Meeteilon in either script. Only a handful of scholars are proficient in both, posing a serious challenge for research and literary preservation.
This paper probes into the urgent necessity for digital intervention in the form of digitization and AI-assisted transliteration tools to bridge this script divide. It argues that without such technologies, the cultural and literary continuity of Meeteilon faces the risk of fragmentation. Presented as a case study of script transition in Manipur, this work draws attention to the intensity of impact that potential digitization holds—not just for access, but for enabling future generations to reclaim and research their literary heritage.

Authors:
Malemnganbi Akoijam, Indian Institute of Information Technology Manipur, India
Dayananda Taorem, Indian Institute of Information Technology Manipur, India
Potshangbam Linthoingambi, Indian Institute of Information Technology Manipur, India
Nirupama Kshetrimayum, Indian Institute of Information Technology Manipur, India
Sayoni Loitongbam, Indian Institute of Information Technology, India

About the Presenter(s)
Dr. Akoijam Malemnganbi is an Asst. Prof of English at IIIT Manipur, India. She has a PhD from UoH, Hyderabad, India and previously taught at the EFLU. Her academic interests include Translation, Cultural Studies and intersectional feminism.

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https://www.linkedin.com/in/malemnganbi-akoijam-76078539/

See this presentation on the full schedule – Wednesday Schedule

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