J.B. Disanayaka

CHENNAI: For Professor J.B. Disanayaka, professor emeritus, University of Colombo, language is more than just words and sounds. In it, he sees a potent means of healing the wounds inflicted by the civil war in Sri Lanka.

"A linguist has a role to play beyond the classroom. In a country like Sri Lanka, especially, the role is to bring together those in conflict and create harmony through the understanding of a shared heritage of language and mythology," Professor Disanayaka told The Hindu here on Friday.

He has done this through an intensive campaign as a member of the official Language Commission, helping formulate policies because of which the Sinhalese learn Tamil and the Tamils Sinhala and both communities unite in the learning of English. "The Sinhalese and Tamils share a common historical and cultural linkage. Once they are able to unite in the study of this heritage, then all will be well." Also high on his agenda is developing Sinhala as the language of communication and technology.

"Even if a political solution is found [to the ethnic strife], both the Sinhalese and Tamils will have to learn to communicate with each other. This is why the Government has now taken efforts to teach both Sinhala and Tamil in primary schools."

Among his repertoire are four Let's learn Sinhala volumes, apart from 25 folktales in Sinhala, 50 in English and five in Tamil.

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