Like many young people in Bagar, Vidyadhar is looking for a job. This past Sunday, he came to our office to get a print out of the form he needs to apply for a constable position in Delhi. The application is completely in English and the post requires some English. Vidyadhar doesn't have a chance.
I was resistant to starting English classes at GDL. I believed it to be a statement that GDL recognized English as superior. Thankfully, objectivity won over selfish ideologism and I've finally come to terms with the fact that English has become the "global language." I realize that it is my responsibility to expose the people in my community to opportunities. Teaching English does that.
But, the following facts really bother me:
1) English is considered "superior." This is due to the fact that knowing English results in more and better paying opportunities. But it's a dangerous and damaging opinion. One that creates gaps within Indian society and devalues
heritage and culture.
2) It is EXTREMELY difficult for someone from certain backgrounds to become conversant in Hindi. The English teaching I have seen - both at schools and in institutions specifically set up to teach English - is not effective. English teachers need to go through refresher courses of their own and there needs to be more awareness regarding best practices in teaching a language.
3) There is an information gap. Knowing English opens up many doors because so much information is in English. On many occasions, students have asked me various career-related questions such as "what [they] need to complete a certain degree," or "what is the scope in a certain field." These are questions whose answers I easily find on the internet. One of my biggest value-adds to Bagar is that I know English and can surf the net. I know a few of my peers were talking about addressing this issue, and I hope something is still in the works.
It makes sense that people value English. But how does one promote other languages? Two questions I would like to conclude this post with:
1) How does language affect identity at an individual level?
2) Aside from what it can do for us financially, what motivates us to respect English or any other languages?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
Interesting questions raised at the end of the post.
I agree with all the 3 facts that you mention, and they bother me to. However, I try to look at it this way:
a. Knowing an extra language is always an added advantage at an individual level. Be it widening your horizons (in terms of being able to interact better with a whole new bunch of people), or enabling opportunities (Jobs in other states/cities/towns).
b. When that extra language is English, the advantage is 10x. Sad fact or not, we will have to learn to live with it for the coming couple of decades at least. And at the same time, encourage our youth to learn English whenever possible.
Coming back to the two questions you raised:
1. At an individual level, I guess language does define the network and hence, opportunities of an individual. Culturally it has far more significances, as we all know.
2. I guess the end goal would be financial independence and probably related issues like societal status etc that would drive one to be more versatile.
Keep up the good work! Way to go!
Post a Comment