“Multilingualism and the power of language (Page 81 of
NEP-2019)
What then is the reason that English is being pursued by so many in
India as a medium of instruction and of conversation, when most other
technologically advanced countries of the world have naturally kept their own
native languages for these purposes? The answer, of course, is that, since
Independence, the economic elite of India have adopted English as their
language; only about 15% of the country speaks English, and this population
almost entirely coincides with the economic elite (compared with, e.g. 54% of
Indians who speak Hindi). Furthermore, the elite often use English (whether
deliberately or inadvertently) as a test for entry into the elite class and for
the jobs that they control: English is regularly used by the elite as a
criterion to determine whether someone is “educated”, and perhaps most
unfortunately of all, as a prerequisite for jobs - even in cases of jobs where
knowledge of English is entirely irrelevant.
This sad scenario and attitude (again, it may well be inadvertent) have
resulted in the marginalisation of large sections of society based on language,
keeping them out of higher-paying jobs and the higher socio-economic strata.
This attitude has kept the elite class and the jobs they control segregated
from the economically weaker sections of society, which of course contain many
hardworking, smart, high quality, highly skilled, and educated people who
happen not to speak the language of the colonists and current elite. It has
created an unnatural aspiration of parents for their children to concentrate on
learning and speaking languages that are not their own.
We further observe that English has not become the international
language that it was expected to become back in the 1960s. As already noted,
most advanced countries use their own native languages as the languages of
interaction and transaction, and it is suggested that India works towards the
same, or its rich language and cultural heritage, along with the rich power of
expression, may slowly be lost. It is also strongly recommended that
interactions between people within India be conducted in languages native to
India; thus Indian languages must be heavily promoted again and with new vigour
Of course, English has become an international common language in
certain realms such as science and technology research, e.g. most high-level
scientific journals around the world at the current time publish predominantly
in English. For this reason, it is also important for children (especially
those who intend to pursue scientific subjects at a postgraduate level) to
become bilingual in science and to be able to communicate science fluently both
in their home/local language and in English. This is in concurrence with the
practice in all technologically advanced countries.”
From the above, NEP-2019 talks about English supremacy but why it
refuses to talk about Hindi supremacy in the Union?
We don’t know from which census data the policy draft talking about the
percentage of English and Hindi speakers. But it gives us a sign to understand
Hindi supremacy in the Union.
1.
First, the statement, English is the language of 15% economic
elite is unbelievable. Most of the schools in the Union teach English
as a second language. It is mingled with all Indian languages and hence
Indians. English is not tied to elite, a non-Hindi speaker can communicate to
the Union government only using English.
2. If the whole idea is
about opposing English supremacy, then why not even for context purpose Indian
languages not considered as a whole? Why Hindi only highlighted as 54%? Instead
if the statement be like “only about 15% of the country speaks
English, and this population almost entirely coincides with the economic elite
(compared with, e.g. 85% of Indians who speak do not speak English).” it
will make the argument stronger. When it comes to Indian Union, why Hindi only
comes to mind? Perfect example of Delhi centric thought!
3. For a debate sake, if we consider this
population percentage is true (and we know how this Hindi speaker’s percentage
is attained1 – including Languages like Rajastani which has nearly 3
crore speakers under Hindi) we have three more sub-questions:
i. Here, one who doesn't
have Hindi as his mother tongue cannot write national level entrance exams like
AIIMS, IIT-JEE, and NET in her/his mother tongue. These exams conducted only in
Hindi and English. Which means, the Union government(s) itself ignores the
rest? (100-15+54=31% non-Hindi/non-English speakers)
ii. Here, one cannot
write a letter/get a letter to/from a Union government office in his/her mother
tongue. Which means, the Union government operates only for the 69% Hindi and
English speakers?
iii. If the percentage is
true, why can’t Union government make all languages as official languages and
treat them equally as Hindi by giving opportunity for a non-Hindi speaker to
write national level exams in his/her mother tongue?
4. Draft states “English
considered as a prerequisite for jobs - even in cases of jobs where knowledge
of English is entirely irrelevant.” The same suits for Union
government jobs and Hindi. Hindi considered as a
prerequisite for some of the Union government jobs - even in cases of jobs
where knowledge of Hindi is entirely irrelevant and because of that,
many non-Hindi speakers are not getting through it. This attitude has
kept the Hindi speakers and the jobs they control segregated from the non-Hindi
speakers of society, which of course contain many hardworking, smart, high
quality, highly skilled, and educated people who happen not to speak the
language of the Union government. It has created an unnatural aspiration of
parents for their children to concentrate on learning and speaking languages
that are not their own. This was repeatedly written by Professor Garga
Chatterjee.2
5. “We further observe that English has
not become the international language that it was expected to become back in
the 1960s.” The same applies to Hindi and Sanskrit also. We know that Hindi
has not become the majorities language that it was expected to become back in
the 1960s. They were repeatedly promoted by spending an excess of tax
money, majority contributed from non-Hindi states and miscalculations in census
data.
6. The draft says, “Of course,
English has become an international common language in certain realms such as
science and technology research, e.g. most high-level scientific journals
around the world at the current time publish predominantly in English.” But
what the Official language committee recommendation3, which was signed
by our former President and which came to amendment says is:
The Committee is of the opinion that Scientific/Research and other
Research institutions spend a large amount on purchase of books. If this
exemption continues the major portion of the library budget will be spent on
the purchase of the journals and reference books and will adversely affect the
purchase of Hindi books. This will be a deviation from the original purpose.
Therefore, clear orders in this regard may be issued that in any case 50% out
of the total amount for the purchase of books should be used for the purchase
of Hindi books. The Committee recommends that in the offices where library
budget is not allocated, a minimum 1% of the Office Expenditure Head may be
spent on the purchase of Hindi books. It is also to be kept in mind that 50% of
the total library budget or 1% of the total Office Expenditure Head, whichever
is more, may be spent on the purchase of Hindi books.
This reduced buying of English books/journals in the research institutions
and Hindi books bought under these plan are found no readers.
Propagation of Sanskrit is another topic. Repeatedly highlighting that,
even by false claims like it will help the development of Indian languages also
seen in the draft. In fact, the Union government already done much by spending
lots of amount through Sanskrit Prachar Sabha and through some amendments
through ministry.4 what it has done to promote/preserve other Indian
languages?
When majority of the above affects the opportunities of non-Hindi
speaking children, why National Education Policy draft -2019 refuses to talk
about Hindi supremacy?
References:
1. Getting the language count
right https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/getting-the-language-count-right/article24454570.ece
2. How Hindi is becoming a hurdle
for those who want to join the Army https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-how-hindi-is-becoming-a-hurdle-for-those-who-want-to-join-the-army-2247911
4. Time To Let Go https://epaper.timesgroup.com/Olive/ODN/TimesOfIndia/shared/ShowArticle.aspx?doc=TOIM%2F2018%2F11%2F27&entity=Ar01200&sk=F5AA2373&mode=text#
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