The papers will be published by CIIL under the editorship of Dr. O.N. Koul. A preliminary analysis of the information received from 100 questionnaires was presented. The participants formed themselves into three working groups and deliberated on Factors responsible for language loss, Current policies and programmes for language maintenance and their inadequacies and Action plan for the future. Efforts taken in different countries to arrest the loss of languages was reviewed and recommendations were made to reverse language loss and preserve linguistic diversity. The preservation of linguistic diversity is necessary not only for ethical reasons but also as inputs for human progress and development.
Every language codifies a way of cognizing, experiencing and organizing knowledge of the world.
The Conference recognizes that the responsibility for action towards maintenance of languages lie with the Government, the Non-governmental Organizations, the Market, the Community, the Individual and the International bodies. With the active co-operation between all these agencies, 'The Mysore Document' makes the following recommendations. It shall be the right of the linguistic communities to use their language in private domains like home. Where a pyramidal structure in the allocation of roles to languages, becomes necessary it shall be ensured that every language finds a place at the bottom of the pyramid in each domain. It shall be ensured that linkages between the different levels of the pyramidal structure does not disadvantage the speaker of any language.