04-06-2007, 08:31 PM
She quotes Kancha Ilaiah. Well, so much the worse for these idiots.
Bodhi, here are some problems:
1. The network effects: Right now, English is the language that the most prosperous portion of the world (in India, as well) speaks. So, if you learn English, you are more likely to effectively communicate with that part of the world, and prosper. You may learn Indian languages as a hobby, but that is all. There is no economic gain in the near- to medium-term.
2. Indicator of status: The economic effects resulting from point 1 are so powerful and enduring (throughout the last 75-100 years), that knowledge of English has now become an indicator of status. Earlier, speaking your mother-tongue did not hurt your marriage prospects. Soon it will, if it doesn't already.
So, there is no way you are going to get rid of English, in the near-term (next 50 years). How it will happen in the long-term, I cannot speculate. Certainly no human agency (in the sense of conscious action) can make that happen.
However, we have a more immediate task. We must keep the Indian languages alive in the medium term, and wait for the economic forces to slowly change in our favour.
IMO, <b>Govt action</b> in the following ways will help:
1. Many non-Hindi states (except TN) follow the three-language formula (Hindi, Local, English) in state schools. This puts too much pressure on the child. We are better off removing Hindi as the compulsory language, and allow the child and parents breathing room to learn the local language in full.
2. Make state boards of education mobile. That is, allow a school to have accreditation from one or more boards, including multiple state boards. That way, a school in Bombay may be able to prepare students for school-leaving exams from CBSE, Maharashtra State Board, the Gujarat state board and the Tamil Nadu state board. Gujarati students may prepare for the Gujarat state board, while Tamil students may prepare for the TN State board. (Barkha Dutt's descendants can do the CBSE, with "Advanced English" as the second language).
The above two actions will help in two ways.
One: the non-Hindi child will no longer be compelled to learn an unfamiliar Indian language. He will be allowed to learn a familiar language, the language of his forefathers.
Two: these days, when people have to often work out of their home state, they end up not learning their mother tongue at all (if they are non-Hindi). My suggestion (no 2) will ensure that some school in the city will always support the board of their home-state.
Of course, then there is <b>individual action</b>:
1.<b> Religiously teach your children the language</b>(s) you value. Engage after-school tutors, if necessary.
2. <b>Move to your home-state</b>, and enroll your children in a school in the state board. Stop worrying about economic advantage. India is doing well and things will actually get even better.
3. <b>Reproduce</b>: I realize I am sounding like a broken record now. But, if you value something that is vulnerable to network effects, like your religion, your language or even your vote-bank, remember the best gift you can give them: your children. Have multiple kids and bring them up well, and all these things will flourish.
Bodhi, here are some problems:
1. The network effects: Right now, English is the language that the most prosperous portion of the world (in India, as well) speaks. So, if you learn English, you are more likely to effectively communicate with that part of the world, and prosper. You may learn Indian languages as a hobby, but that is all. There is no economic gain in the near- to medium-term.
2. Indicator of status: The economic effects resulting from point 1 are so powerful and enduring (throughout the last 75-100 years), that knowledge of English has now become an indicator of status. Earlier, speaking your mother-tongue did not hurt your marriage prospects. Soon it will, if it doesn't already.
So, there is no way you are going to get rid of English, in the near-term (next 50 years). How it will happen in the long-term, I cannot speculate. Certainly no human agency (in the sense of conscious action) can make that happen.
However, we have a more immediate task. We must keep the Indian languages alive in the medium term, and wait for the economic forces to slowly change in our favour.
IMO, <b>Govt action</b> in the following ways will help:
1. Many non-Hindi states (except TN) follow the three-language formula (Hindi, Local, English) in state schools. This puts too much pressure on the child. We are better off removing Hindi as the compulsory language, and allow the child and parents breathing room to learn the local language in full.
2. Make state boards of education mobile. That is, allow a school to have accreditation from one or more boards, including multiple state boards. That way, a school in Bombay may be able to prepare students for school-leaving exams from CBSE, Maharashtra State Board, the Gujarat state board and the Tamil Nadu state board. Gujarati students may prepare for the Gujarat state board, while Tamil students may prepare for the TN State board. (Barkha Dutt's descendants can do the CBSE, with "Advanced English" as the second language).
The above two actions will help in two ways.
One: the non-Hindi child will no longer be compelled to learn an unfamiliar Indian language. He will be allowed to learn a familiar language, the language of his forefathers.
Two: these days, when people have to often work out of their home state, they end up not learning their mother tongue at all (if they are non-Hindi). My suggestion (no 2) will ensure that some school in the city will always support the board of their home-state.
Of course, then there is <b>individual action</b>:
1.<b> Religiously teach your children the language</b>(s) you value. Engage after-school tutors, if necessary.
2. <b>Move to your home-state</b>, and enroll your children in a school in the state board. Stop worrying about economic advantage. India is doing well and things will actually get even better.
3. <b>Reproduce</b>: I realize I am sounding like a broken record now. But, if you value something that is vulnerable to network effects, like your religion, your language or even your vote-bank, remember the best gift you can give them: your children. Have multiple kids and bring them up well, and all these things will flourish.