The Adoption of English
The adoption of English
Prior to independence, English was imposed by colonial fiat and played a complicated role in British India as a colonial tongue that brought liberal and nationalist ideas into the country. In the early days after Independence, attempts were made to get rid of English and impose Hindi as the national language. However, this triggered riots against Hindi in Tamil Nadu, and just as the imposition of population control was never re-introduced, all attempts to push Hindi on unwilling southerners were dropped after these riots. More recently, the role of English has shifted rapidly with the rise of outsourcing, which has made knowledge of English a critical factor in improving incomes and economic status. English is now no longer seen as oppressive – today it is not just a link language, but the language for social and economic mobility, a change in roles that is forcing a reversal of anti-English policies across Indian states.
November 15th, 2008 at 10:59 am
All developed countries in the world have risen using their mother tongue as the medium of teaching.
We should also develop Hindi (understood and spoken in most parts of India) as the mother tongue and link language for India.
For business purposes, any foreign langauge including English can be learnt (need based) by students in later part of education.
Let not English deficient scholars suffer (Please remember Sriniwas Ramanujan, the great mathematician).
November 17th, 2008 at 9:38 am
the current “developed” countries are traditionally mono-lingual (english for US, UK, Canada, Australia etc; german across germany, japanese across japan, french across france etc). they have not had the need for a bridge language.
india’s situaion is unique. it requires a bridge language that is acceptable to all constituents for doing business within the country and it requires a language for doing business witht he rest of the world. english is the only option.
even france and germanya nd japan are increasingly using english for business. one good number to check is the sale of english language leyboards as compared to other languages.
being proficient in english doesn’t mean killing your mother tongue. there is enough space in a person’s life to be proficient in more than one language. we indians are particularly lucky in that respect because 3 languages come naturally to most of us. most of us are schooled in a language other than out mother tongue and yet can speak it fluently.
language chauvinism is going to pull us back. language pragmitism is goign to crate opportunities for us.
November 17th, 2008 at 11:49 am
English is the language promoted by the people who came from England and established their rule over India. The British invaded India and dominated India’s Hindi with their English. After 1947, it was the commercial business houses and companies that used English for official business communications. England’s language has certainly survived India’s political and economic climate. We must accept English as an Indian language and use it properly for developing and maintaining proper relations with foreign countries.
Santosh S
Navi Mumbai, India
November 19th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
The Language of English is definitely one of the greatest blessings that India has been gifted with with. Through this wonderful language, all the hidden treasures of India, especially the Pearls of Ancient Knowledge and Wisdom of the Sages has bend brought to light and shared among a wide Indian Audience.
Truly, the Divine Power works in mysterious ways, and English has been a Godsend for the social, economic and spiritual upliftment of Indians everywhere!
November 20th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
Today when we ride and boast upon our English Proficiency level,we should not ignore the forthcoming challenge which is to face the huge workforce(Skilled and proficient enough in English literacy) from China.Today IT services and other likely fields are unconquered by China because of language barrier only. but once they are well equipped with the same, they may dominate such fields as they do in other fields curently. So while Recognising our strength, we should also address the forthcoming chalenges by the means of healthy rivalry.
November 26th, 2008 at 10:57 pm
people have learn now that, unless you learn English, you cannot progress and improve your life. By blindly following the leaders who preach, education in mother tongue is a must, are sending their children to English school, fooling the followers. Today, will any one who is really bothered about their childrens’ & their education send their wards to Govt run local language schools, where there are no basic infrastructure is not there, one teacher for four classes m(1 to 4 class). Unless English is learnt, there is some future for next generation
December 11th, 2008 at 6:54 pm
How did Mr. Dwivedi, with his views on English language, understand the book he is commenting on ; as far as I know there is no Hindi translation. We should drop our colonial mind and master English for our own progress.
January 13th, 2009 at 7:14 pm
I think there should be progressive development of both English and Hindi. English as a language that you take with you when you step out of your home to head to work and Hindi as a language when you come back home after work.
February 20th, 2009 at 10:55 pm
I agree that we need to learn English but Hindi should not be made essential,every one has their own culture that has to taken care
February 26th, 2009 at 11:14 am
I love India and am a great beleiver in India, the opportunities , the future and potential. Despite multiple opportunities doing engineering from Top college and MBA from IIM , and various opportunities , decided not to go abraod and make a career in India.
Despite , all my nationalist pride , I see English as a great tool to raise above challenges of a developing country , with low literacy rate , large base population , millions below poverty line and lack of jobs and opportunities. Today, we have comapnies like VETA, ENGLISH EXPERT ( part of edurite/Tutorvista group) , teaching ENglish . This is being lapped up by people who see English as a passport to better pay and job. The difference between a maid at home and an office boy is the few sentences of ENglish he is able to speak. That give him 3 times salary , a status , an assured job and better working conditions and less exploitation. The difference between a labourer at a construction site and his supervisor is mainly few english communication skills. My maid wanted to learn English so that when she goes to her son’s school , her son does not feel embarassed.
The book is right - the day when we teach 90 % of our people English , we will automatically lift the standard of living through better earning potential and also move a small step towards reaping benefits of Demographic Dividend
This is no way reduce the nationalist pride or Patriotism or love for our mother toungue but the fact is English knowledge will open more opportunities for most of the population.