The Language Debate

Charu of Indsight has made a post on some of the issues that I raised in my Tamil poem. As she has put it, this concern is not limited only to Tamil. It can be extended to other Indian languages as well. I don’t undermine the role English has played in bringing about the much-needed economic prosperity. If things continue to proceed this way, the vernacular languages might be history (atleast in their pure form). Our clothing and eating habits have changed a lot in the last few years. Language and culture are few more pieces of our identity and some of it might also get eroded. The question here is whether one wants that identity.

Even if the kids don’t have an opportunity to study their mother tongue in school, it is important that the parents take up this task and ensure that their kids learn their mother tongue atleast at home. The Srilankan Tamil’s are one bunch of people who are quite passionate about their mother tongue. They have set up Tamil schools all across Europe so that their kids get the opportunity to study their mother tongue (inspite of staying miles away from home). Their Tamil is unadulterated and the way they speak is a treat to our ears (as evident from the movie Tenali).

In the last few years, I have seen umpteen number of cases where the grandchildren don’t speak their mother tongue. When these grandchildren visit their grandparents, English becomes the mode of communication. The situation becomes worse if the grandparents are not well versed in English. These situations are becoming more common as more kids grow up overseas. English is also becoming the mode of communication between kids and their parents. If the vernacular language is not spoken at home, how can we expect people to speak the vernacular language outside home? Some upmarket schools do fine the kids if they speak in their native language. These kind of actions might lead the kid to shun the native language.

Vernacular is not so fashionable

One reason why people might not converse in their vernacular language is to do with the fact that it is not considered trendy. But what about people who don’t even know to read / write the language. There is a general belief that scoring marks in a vernacular language in Secondary School is quite difficult and hence people resort to studying French, German and Spanish. I’m not saying that studying a foreign language is wrong. Even if one doesn’t study his/her mother tongue as part of the school curriculum isn’t it important to read, write and speak the mother tongue?

My wish list (in order of priority)

1. People should know to speak their mother tongue

2. People should know to read / write in their mother tongue

3. People who speak in the vernacular language should not be looked down upon

PS: I’m not connected / related to this guy or his party