Portrait of Rillo, dobashi
B&W photographic print. 'Rillo, a dobashi (interpreter). A note on the back says "taken by Barnes". A dobashi, or interpreter, not only performed that important task, but was a vital liaison between the British officer and the tribal people whom he was administering. Dobashis were hand picked fo...
| Date(s) of creation: |
April 1919 |
|---|---|
| Level: |
Item |
| Format: | Archive |
| Main author: | Barnes. |
| URL: |
http://digital.soas.ac.uk/LOAA004677 |
| URL Description: |
Digital version available online at SOAS Digital Collections |
| Summary: |
B&W photographic print. 'Rillo, a dobashi (interpreter). A note on the back says "taken by Barnes". A dobashi, or interpreter, not only performed that important task, but was a vital liaison between the British officer and the tribal people whom he was administering. Dobashis were hand picked for the job and, given that there were dozens of often mutually incomprehensible Naga languages, a particular case being heard in a village might involve two or more dobashis translating between the aggrieved parties, and into Naga-Assamese for Mills, who spoke that language fluently. This form of Assamese bore little resemblance to the classical Assamese of the plains, but was used as an essential lingua franca, because villages barely an hour's march away might not be able to speak each other's languages.' |
|---|---|
| Main author: | Barnes. |
| Extent: |
1 photograph |
| Note: |
Naga (South Asian people) Ethnic group: Naga Ethnic group: Western Rengma Naga Ethnic group: Rengma Naga |
| Access status: |
Open |
| Copyright: | Copyright held by J.P. Mills |
| Language: | No linguistic content |
| Scripts: |
Unwritten |
| Physical description: |
9.5 x 7 cm |
| Format: | Archive |