Adapting the Multilingual Assessment Instrument for Narratives (MAIN) to Mizo

Abstract

This paper describes the adaptation of the Multilingual Assessment Instrument for Narratives (MAIN) to the Mizo language. Mizo is a vulnerable minority language spoken by a tribal population in Mizoram, which is situated in the northeastern part of India. A brief context about the region of Mizoram and an overview of the Mizo language are given in the paper, focusing on the language’s distinct grammar and the interplay between the tonal and syntactic elements in shaping meanings in Mizo. Furthermore, it  describes the adaptation process, the challenges faced with typological differences between Mizo and English, and the steps taken to fit the particular context. The MAIN Mizo adaptation offers an important tool to assess Mizo children in terms of their language development and narrative abilities.