Importance of translating Indigenous language emphasised

One of the participants raising a question (DPI photo)
One of the participants raising a question (DPI photo)

The first of a series of Indigenous lectures was held yesterday at the Heritage Village, Sophia with Professor Ian Robertson, a Guyanese Linguist from the University of the West Indies, focusing on the importance of the translation of the Indigenous and other languages.

“Language is a systematic set of arrangements for using symbols for reality and is a very important dimension because the symbols are sound-based… the important thing about it, is that language is really a set of symbols for reality and that set of symbols would allow us to deal with a very complex set of things,” Professor Robertson explained, according to the Department of Public Information (DPI).

Archaeologist George Simon shared knowledge on Indigenous Archaeology in the Berbice area, which started in the 1990’s, while young historian and resident of Moruca, Region One, Andrew Campbell shared a brief history of the Indigenous Peoples who existed in the 1800’s.

Similar lectures will be conducted at Primary and Secondary Schools across the country throughout this week.

Among those who participated in the lecture series were students from the University of Guyana and the Hinterland Dormitory, DPI said.