English in India
According to a recent study in India. 1652 language are spoken in India and their innumerable dialects. It is a multi-lingual state. Where there is so much diversify of languages, it is very difficult to choose sly on language as a national language.
When Hindi was introduced as a national language. people of South India rose up against the imposition of Hindi for they consider Hindi as a foreign language. Hence if any language is imposed upon the people it will create mistrust and unrest. So the supporters of English feel that English alone can keep India together.
Language is more than a medium of communication. More over language like culture is the product of historical experiences. English has these qualities. But some people are of opinion that English should be replaced by Hindi both as an official language and as a medium of instruction.
Another argument given in support of Hindi is that a break with the mother tongue would mean a break with our culture. But it is difficult to accept those aspects of our culture which are in conflict with the material aspect of the present clay life. So Nehru said, “We must break from our past and should not permit it to dominate the present.” Hence our culture is to be grafted to present day trends that is possible only by retaining English as the lingua franca.
English is an international language and give us the current thought. Break with English language will be a break with the latest thinking. So, it is better to be in touch with English for the latest advancement in thinking. Higher education without English is not possible. We have to drink at the fountain of knowledge which is English.
It is foolish to argue that using English, a foreign language will undermine the prestige of the country. English is spoken by the Anglo-Indian people who enjoy all the constitutional rights. English being their mother tongue cannot be decried as a foreign language. The world is moving across national barriers and English will be more useful for an international outlook.
English is a language accepted by all the sections of the Indian people. It was the language that united India during the freedom struggle and paved the way for the national integration.
There is no harm in accepting English as the language linking the people all over India. Let us not give room for petty bickering on the language issue. We will have to continua with English, even if some people do not like it or even consider it a remnant of colonial rule.
