INDIANS AND ENGLISH LANGUAGE

From Sampath’s Desk:

 

 

UBIQUITOUS ENGLISH CALLS THE SHOTS

 Indians and English Language

 

While there is certainly a need for progressive use of all Indian languages post-independence in all facets of public life, it is well nigh impossible to shun or shunt out the English language, an alien vestige, which has now become indispensable and is an inseparable part of the Indian-speak. Far from that, we need to enhance and upgrade our skills of English, a language now deeply entrenched as it were in our lives, to stay connected with the entire outside world and take on the international competition to reap maximum dividends. The ubiquitous English has, in fact, played a crucial role in crafting modern India! Even though the British have left India, the English language has not; rather it has come to stay with us as a ‘blessing in disguise’ and a 'knowledge treasure' for Indians. It is wise to travel in the world bus and not plough a lonely furrow!  

 

In the present LPG (Liberalization, Privatization, and Globalization) era, the whole world has shrunk into a global village and a composite and complex market with cut-throat competition but at the same time opening up new vistas of myriad opportunities and multiples of channels widening the horizons of inter-country trade and commerce expanding on an unprecedentedly massive scale. Fast-developing India can’t afford to lag behind. She has also spread her wings in all fields and directions.

 

English is the ‘lingua franca’ of the entire corporate/commercial world. The medium of higher learning such as Science and Technology including on communication and IT, Engineering, Medicine, Astronomy, Space Research, Finance & Accounts, Chartered Accountancy and Law - a few examples to mention - is mainly English besides availability of books and study materials. Since books on the knowledge world are mostly in English, Indian people patronize it. Knowledge of English improves prospects of higher learning, specialization in various fields, and possibilities of grabbing job opportunities in India and abroad. In fact, most countries with official language(s) other than English are also nowadays encouraging and promoting the English language, as there are advantages to gain by doing so. 

In India, English is used for interactions among people whose mother tongues are not the same. English is universally recognized as a passport to the knowledge world and a gateway to the international university of academic and knowledge products excellence. The status is not likely to change in the future. As of now, none of the Indian languages including Hindi have been adequately enriched as a knowledge ocean that English is.

 

Once considered an ‘elite language’ and ‘exclusive preserve’ of some privileged sections, today English has become the transaction backbone of the entire commercial and corporate world. Even Russia, China and Japan, which have already sufficiently enriched their native languages and are using them in all fields, are also showing interest in the English language for obvious reasons. English being a tool of empowerment rules the roost.

 

English has spread to all the continents, thanks to the centuries-long British colonialism almost across the world. English, as a unifying factor, ignited the knowledge fire in Indians during the pre-independence era. The knowledge explosion gained about revolutions that took place in the past in different parts of the world through the English language revolutionized the Indian thinking. That, in turn, kindled patriotic passion and fervour in Indians to effectively launch and efficiently carry out the freedom struggle and get independence. The first Universities - considered as the springboard and launch-pad for higher education with English as the medium of instruction - were established by the British rule in India as early as 1857 in Calcutta (24/1/1857-now Kolkata), Bombay (18/7/1857-now Mumbai), and Madras (5/9/1857-now Chennai). Study through English bestowed the ‘savoir-faire’ on Indians during their freedom struggle and even thereafter. After independence also, there has been mushrooming of English medium universities, colleges, schools, and other academic and technical institutions - a ‘fait accompli’ now! Besides home to many English newspapers, magazines, journals, and books in diverse fields, India has produced many famous writers in English. Many authors had brought out their ‘magnum opuses’ in English. The trend continues. English is an associate language of the Indian Union. All Gazette notifications, executive orders, press releases, reports of committees, etc. of the Government are issued in English besides Hindi. TV and Radio news bulletins are broadcast in English apart from local languages. English continues to impact and influence the people of India and provides the much-needed window through which to see and interact worldwide. Even in the Hindi belt of India, English language continues to have sway.

In those days, besides newspapers I used to read journals and magazines like Illustrated Weekly of India, Shankar's Weekly, Blitz, Reader's Digest, Femina and Filmfare, among others.

On all subjects under the sky, lots of books and materials are available in English. Most of the world leaders communicate with each other in English and/or through English translators. Inter-country agreements and documents are invariably in English, in addition of course to the official languages of the countries concerned. While good knowledge and skills in English have multifold advantages, absence thereof will certainly be a handicap. In the present scenario, unless the Indian workforce upgrades and enhances their speaking and writing abilities in English, they will hit barricades and face gridlock while attempting to interact with the rest of the world. English helps one search for greener pastures. Child psychologists and educationists all over the world opine that children in their formative stages can very well learn at least three languages simultaneously and at ease including their mother-tongue without compromising their main academic studies.

Indians have a lot to gain from being good at English and the world has much to gain from English-savvy Indians. Indian Diasporas in different parts of the world have proved this point beyond doubt. English is a virtual thoroughfare to competitive markets and key to the empowered job market. English education with Indian orientation is a ‘sine qua non’ in the current competitive knowledge world.

English has thus a prime place in India and a crucial role to play.  Indians can’t jettison the language, as it will be suicidal. Let us enrich our English knowledge and learn a lot through it for brightening up the future of India and posterity!

 

   

R.SAMPATH

2/5/2020