Prof. Udaya Narayana Singh , Director, Central Institute of Indian Languages released the e-book "From a Semiotic-Humanistic Point of View: Collected Essays and Studies" written and edited by Prof. Ashok R. Kelkar and presided over the inaugural session of the Prof. M. B. Emeneau Centenary International conference on South Asian Linguistics.

        In his presidential remarks, Prof. Singh, remembered his association with Prof. M. B. Emeneau, is stated that Prof. M. B. Emeneau is a symbol to all the linguists and the concepts proposed to him still stand important even after all these years. Prof. Singh also observed that Colin Masica expanded the theories of Prof. M. B. Emeneau further.

        Discussing the definitional problems he quoted Sarah. G. Thomason and Kaufman. He discussed the problems like deciding whether a particular area is linguistic or not and the absence of general agreement on it. He observed that the South Asian Linguistic Area had many related features in Turkey and Mongolian languages of Central Asia .

        Expressing his opinion on the current situation in Language Studies, Prof. Singh said that with the emergence of new languages in the picture, the situation was changing rapidly. This gave rise to many questions on areal linguistics and areal typology, convergence of language area, hierarchies of borrowing and convergence, structural borrowing and theoretical notion of convergence. He illustrated his discussion by citing the theories of Trubetzkoy, Franz Boas and M.B. Emeneau. He emphasized that the concept of Linguistic Area must have many overlaps.

        In conclusion, Prof. Singh reiterated that in the process of solving the definitional problems as far as linguistic area is concerned the works of eminent linguists should be put together and adapted to suit the situations.