LANGUAGE IN INDIA

Strength for Today and Bright Hope for Tomorrow

Volume 13 : 2 February 2013
ISSN 1930-2940

Managing Editor: M. S. Thirumalai, Ph.D.
Editors: B. Mallikarjun, Ph.D.
         Sam Mohanlal, Ph.D.
         B. A. Sharada, Ph.D.
         A. R. Fatihi, Ph.D.
         Lakhan Gusain, Ph.D.
         Jennifer Marie Bayer, Ph.D.
         S. M. Ravichandran, Ph.D.
         G. Baskaran, Ph.D.
         L. Ramamoorthy, Ph.D.
Assistant Managing Editor: Swarna Thirumalai, M.A.

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M. S. Thirumalai
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Linguistic Anxieties: Impact of English on Politics, Mother Tongue and Creative Writing in India

Anita Manuel, Ph.D.

Abstract

The perception of English as the key to economic success creates an ideological ambivalence that makes itself felt in all spheres, whether political or social. The paper analyses the political, social and cultural dimensions of the conflict between regional languages and English in India. It is increasingly clear that the English language is here to stay in spite of the periodic trumpet calls issued against the spread and use of English in the name of patriotism. The continuing dominance of English in independent India is a matter of concern for many who see in it a fundamental contradiction. However, others believe in rejecting the political and cultural hegemony of the west without rejecting the language of the colonial powers. The paper shows how pragmatic compulsions tilt political and educational policies of the country in favour of the English language, bringing together seemingly incompatible postulates. This however raises fears that the mother tongue will soon be confined to the domestic sphere, placing at risk the rich linguistic diversity of India. The paper concludes by exploring the indigenization of English and the exponential growth of creative writing in English by Indian authors which posits the proposition that for many in India, English has become an Indian language.

Key words: politics, educational policies, mother tongue, creative writing

Introduction

The paper seeks to analyse the political, social and cultural dimensions of the continued dominance of the English language in India at a time when there is renewed vehement opposition to the English language by politicians and intelligentsia. The paper looks objectively at the basis of this opposition, some of the very real fears that give rise to linguistic cold wars, as well as why this opposition has so far failed to make any real head way. The perception of English as creating an elite group with a colonial hangover and as the instrument of monocultural domination is juxtaposed against pragmatic considerations of economic advancement especially for disfranchised groups as well as an emotional appropriation of a hitherto foreign language. This study is of special interest at a time when India is flexing its muscle in the global arena and thus in the process of simultaneously constructing and dismantling national and cultural differences. The question then is why, when India has so many indigenous languages, each with its distinct vocabulary, grammar, script and literature, there is a need to appropriate the colonizers discursive forms.

This is only the beginning part of the article. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE IN PRINTER-FRIENDLY VERSION.

Anita Manuel, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of English
KCG College of Technology
Karapakkam
Chennai – 600 097
Tamilnadu
India
anitamanuel@yahoo.com
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