So I was at this programme where the orator was addressing us on the importance of our mothertongue. I did relate deeply to everything she said because although I love the English language with much fervor, I never have been one among those who balk at speaking their mothertongue in public.
My love for the English language was more of an accident. So until Standard 8, our marks in exams were measured as "Outstanding", "Excellent", "Very Good". "Good". So even if you got a lot of answers wrong , you'd end up with an Excellent or Very Good. And at the outset, those seem to be fine remarks. But from Class 9, the grading system changed and we were awarded marks on 100. I scored 64 on 100 and lost out on making it to the top three ranks that I was so accustomed to bagging.
I was startled and then I set out on this mission to improve my English before the next exams commenced. And somehow during that process, I ended up loving the language. Also I used to feel dwarfed by actors who used flamboyant English with all the big words, whereas I knew none. I felt , Omg Bollywood actors , who haven't got the brains to even complete school can speak like that, I should definitely improve mine. This was when I was 14, now I don't think actors are actors because they are dumb. As we grow up, we are taught one thing again and again: Not to Judge. So yeah, I'm not
But now, coming to think of it, I feel that English has become so quintessential in India, that one should mentally write off his chances of progressing when he doesn't know to communicate in English.
My mother-tongue is Tamil. Although I find many English movies and "Friends" hilarious, I can't laugh to English humor as hard as I laugh to Tamil comedy. I can't feel as comfortable while speaking English as I feel while speaking Tamil.
It isn't wrong to speak English, in my view, or like the language over your own mother-tongue, but to cringe away from speaking your mother-tongue, that's deplorable.
Here are some instances of behaviour that I am totally against
Koffee with Karan
Okay, I love the show. He revolutionised the idea of "Rapid Fire" in India. He spiced up Bollywood with all the gossip and controversies with his intrusive questions. The show is fun. But I am sure, that only those who understand Hindi, or at least understand Hindi enough to be able to watch Bollywood movies, actually watch the show. Doesn't make sense for others to be interested in Bollywood personalities. So then why conduct the whole show in English. Actors come by and flaunt their big stylish English words, which is great, but this is the show which took digs at Kangana Ranaunt for not being able to speak English fluently. The sad thing is most of these celebrities speak cringeworthy Hindi and that is what they should be ashamed of. If you take talk shows in France or Germany, Hollywood personalities are called and asked questions in their respective languages, a translator helps them understand the question and on them answering, they translate the answers back to the language for the audience to understand. Its only in India that English is considered a yardstick for the measurement of one's sophistication
Job interviews.
So I go into an interview confidently these days , even if I haven't prepared or don't have enough knowledge of the technical content which I am supposed to know. That's because English sells like crazy these days. It's not wrong for the interview panel to get impressed by great English, because that's definitely an added advantage. But I have seen people with brilliant minds get rejected on the grounds of not being able to speak good English. I am 200% sure these people are smarter and more deft at the job that we all are vying for. But the ones with decent knowledge and awesome English make it to the upper echelons. English, in our country, is definitely overrated
Schools
I studied at a school where I was punished for talking in Tamil. It is in the rule book that we have to speak only English in school. They say it is for the better, it will help you get a grip of the language etc , and I do agree school is where we have to learn English, but to punish children for speaking their mothertongue during non-class hours, makes the child feel ashamed of speaking their mothertongue. Luckily for me, I was a rebel , and the reverse psychology worked, and I embraced Tamil tighter.
I agree English is the medium of communication in our country, the language which is supposed to be understood by all. And through this post, I have been perfectly paradoxical since I have used as many big words as possible and flaunted my English knowledge whilst penning down a polemic on the language. Its good to know English and I egg every one out there to get a good grip of the language, however unfair it is, its essential to know it. But be more abashed about not knowing your own mothertongue, because more than it being about patriotism etc, I'd say originality is important, guys.
My love for the English language was more of an accident. So until Standard 8, our marks in exams were measured as "Outstanding", "Excellent", "Very Good". "Good". So even if you got a lot of answers wrong , you'd end up with an Excellent or Very Good. And at the outset, those seem to be fine remarks. But from Class 9, the grading system changed and we were awarded marks on 100. I scored 64 on 100 and lost out on making it to the top three ranks that I was so accustomed to bagging.
I was startled and then I set out on this mission to improve my English before the next exams commenced. And somehow during that process, I ended up loving the language. Also I used to feel dwarfed by actors who used flamboyant English with all the big words, whereas I knew none. I felt , Omg Bollywood actors , who haven't got the brains to even complete school can speak like that, I should definitely improve mine. This was when I was 14, now I don't think actors are actors because they are dumb. As we grow up, we are taught one thing again and again: Not to Judge. So yeah, I'm not
But now, coming to think of it, I feel that English has become so quintessential in India, that one should mentally write off his chances of progressing when he doesn't know to communicate in English.
My mother-tongue is Tamil. Although I find many English movies and "Friends" hilarious, I can't laugh to English humor as hard as I laugh to Tamil comedy. I can't feel as comfortable while speaking English as I feel while speaking Tamil.
It isn't wrong to speak English, in my view, or like the language over your own mother-tongue, but to cringe away from speaking your mother-tongue, that's deplorable.
Here are some instances of behaviour that I am totally against
Koffee with Karan
Okay, I love the show. He revolutionised the idea of "Rapid Fire" in India. He spiced up Bollywood with all the gossip and controversies with his intrusive questions. The show is fun. But I am sure, that only those who understand Hindi, or at least understand Hindi enough to be able to watch Bollywood movies, actually watch the show. Doesn't make sense for others to be interested in Bollywood personalities. So then why conduct the whole show in English. Actors come by and flaunt their big stylish English words, which is great, but this is the show which took digs at Kangana Ranaunt for not being able to speak English fluently. The sad thing is most of these celebrities speak cringeworthy Hindi and that is what they should be ashamed of. If you take talk shows in France or Germany, Hollywood personalities are called and asked questions in their respective languages, a translator helps them understand the question and on them answering, they translate the answers back to the language for the audience to understand. Its only in India that English is considered a yardstick for the measurement of one's sophistication
Job interviews.
So I go into an interview confidently these days , even if I haven't prepared or don't have enough knowledge of the technical content which I am supposed to know. That's because English sells like crazy these days. It's not wrong for the interview panel to get impressed by great English, because that's definitely an added advantage. But I have seen people with brilliant minds get rejected on the grounds of not being able to speak good English. I am 200% sure these people are smarter and more deft at the job that we all are vying for. But the ones with decent knowledge and awesome English make it to the upper echelons. English, in our country, is definitely overrated
Schools
I studied at a school where I was punished for talking in Tamil. It is in the rule book that we have to speak only English in school. They say it is for the better, it will help you get a grip of the language etc , and I do agree school is where we have to learn English, but to punish children for speaking their mothertongue during non-class hours, makes the child feel ashamed of speaking their mothertongue. Luckily for me, I was a rebel , and the reverse psychology worked, and I embraced Tamil tighter.
I agree English is the medium of communication in our country, the language which is supposed to be understood by all. And through this post, I have been perfectly paradoxical since I have used as many big words as possible and flaunted my English knowledge whilst penning down a polemic on the language. Its good to know English and I egg every one out there to get a good grip of the language, however unfair it is, its essential to know it. But be more abashed about not knowing your own mothertongue, because more than it being about patriotism etc, I'd say originality is important, guys.
