English now embedded within families

Sir,

February 21 has been listed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to be observed as International Mother Language Day for the past two decades. This year, the day’s theme was “Towards Sustainable Futures through Multilingual Education”.

The UNESCO reiterates its commitment to linguistic diversity which in other words means a healthy respect for languages other than one’s own. Learning as many languages as possible helps one in a better and more effective communication. This observance needs to be taken seriously, especially by a country like India with its myriad language groups. Considering that English is the language in which most tribes have to write their important examinations, parents insist that their children excel in it. In the bargain, the mother language is pushed to a secondary position. It is time now for educational institutions to promote the mother languages and to list as many languages as possible in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution so that they are given the pride of place they deserve.

We must have noticed how people’s eyes immediately light up when we communicate in their language and how easily they resonate with what we say than when they have to listen to a translation of our speeches. This heart connection is important, especially for peace workers and teachers. It is a pity that in India, too much importance has been given to English as a language of communication. English has now embedded itself even within families, so much so that parents and their children now communicate in English and, thereby, are no longer fluent in their mother languages. Many of the tribal languages are quickly becoming extinct because they have too few users and linguists to promote them.

K Ravi, E-237, GGP Colony, Bhubaneswar-751025, Mob: 9437616497