VKIC is soliciting research papers for its journal Quest.

The style sheet, theme and subthemes are mentioned below. Last day for
submission is December 10, 2016.
Articles should be mailed to info@vkic.org
Full length research papers (6000-8000 words), and short articles (3000-4000 words) are
invited on the following sub-themes. They are however not restrictive, but ought to be
related.
Theme : Endangered languages of North East India
North East India is inhabited by variety indigenous communities, many speaking
different languages and dialects. To the world outside, North East India is still perceived as
an isolated place with limited communication within and with the outside world. However
recent developments in transport and communication have helped remove the Isolation
earlier experienced by the North Easterner.
With greater connectivity frequent connections with the outside world has become a
lived reality of the people of North East, bringing about tremendous impact on the culture
and everyday practices of the people. The free flow of ideas and perception led loose by the
global forces attracts the younger generation gradually loosening their ties with their
acquired past.
The change is discernible in their medium of communication; with greater emphasis
paid on English as a medium to connect with the outside world, and as the more effective
way of getting a job in the market driven economy. Besides English, children are encouraged
to learn a language which can act as a lingua franca while communicating with others
outside of own community.
If the members of a community dont speak and uphold their dialect or language, it is
bound to die. Language and culture are interrelated and intertwined. The death of the
dialect/language amounts to loss of a communitys culture and identity. This is a matter of
concern particularly for indigenous communities of the North East.
Languages are means of communication, but they are also doors to knowledge and
cultures. As a language (not akin to one with global usage) is endemic to a region, it
perceives the world around, identifies objects, events and phenomena that a foreign
language obviously cannot. For example, how would one know about the variety of flora
and fauna and their role in a particular cultures belief and practices without having
knowledge of the local language?
In the light of this scenario in North East India fear has gripped many about losing most
of the pristine languages/ dialects from this part of the country. Documenting, conserving,
promoting the endangered languages, and if possible, dialects of different indigenous
communities of North East India has therefore become imperative.

Sub themes:
1. Sustaining community, social and policy environments for linguistic diversities in
Northeast India. Papers under this theme may address the thoughts and cases on the role
of communities, linguists and the state in creating the scope and environment for practice
and preservation as well as on documentation of the dialects and languages. Point may be
that setting up of departments of languages in institutions of higher education with
adequate state supports help to ensure development of the languages.
2. Relevance of teaching local dialects in primary and middle levels schools empirical
and policy papers may be on learning performances of the children in such environment.
3. Case studies on endangered languages of Northeast India and the determinants.
4. Languages and dialects as reflectors of cultural diversity in northeast India.
5. Encouraging an environment for linguistic diversities in Northeast India
6. Endangered languages of North East India.
7. Role of the communities and the linguists in preserving the languages in danger of
extinction.
8. Scientific documentation of the endangered languages of N E India.

Given below is a style sheet based on the Oxford Style of Referencing.

Style Sheet
1. An Abstract of around 150 words should accompany the Paper.
2. Oxford Style Referencing should be followed.
Superscript numbers with corresponding endnotes should be used whenever information
or ideas from sources are discussed. Sources such as books, journals, reports, newspapers,
interviews, radio, television and information from the Internet must be acknowledged.
EXAMPLES
Book, single author
S. Kostof, A History of Architecture: Settings and Rituals, 2nd edn, Oxford University
Press, New York, 1995, p. 35
Book, 2 authors
H. Fraser & R. Joyce, The Federation House: Australia's Own Style, Lansdowne Press,
Sydney, 1986.
Book, 3 authors
F.S. Kleiner, C.J. Mamiya & R.G. Tansey, Gardner's Art Through the Ages, 11th ed,
Harcourt College Publishers, Fort Worth, 2001.
Chapter in edited book

EH Gombrich, 'The early Medici as patrons of art' in EF Jacob (ed.), Italian Renaissance
Studies, Faber and Faber, London, 1960, pp. 279-311.
Report, group author
Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works, Proposed Common Use
Infrastructure on Christmas Island, Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia,
Canberra, 2002.
Journal article
RA Goldthwaite, 'The Florentine palace as domestic architecture', American Historical
Review, vol. 77, no. 4, 1972, pp. 977-1012.
Journal article, no author
'Federation Square: A Tribute to the Skill of the Construction Industry', Construct in
Steel, vol. 15, no. 2, June 2002, pp. 12-14. 9.
Newspaper article, authored
Crafti, S, 'Winning Design Moored in Spain', The Age, 25 August 2010, Business Day, p.
16.
Website
1. Author
2. Name & place of sponsor of site
3. Date site was created or updated
4. Date of viewing
5. URL

You are requested to send a soft copy to: info@vkic.org

Or a hard copy to:
The Director,
Research Advisory Council
Vivekananda Kendra Institute of Culture,
M.G. Road, River side,
Uzan Bazar, Guwahati- 781001
Phone No.: 0361-2510594