When a language which is the primary tongue of 30% of the nation is made the "national language," you are gonna have to face the 70% - After moving to Hyderabad, I get reactions ranging from polite, curious questions to ridicule when I ask people to stick to English.
Well, for some of us, learning Hindi is not a choice - for others, Hindi is not a choice. Yes, I grew up in places where you heard Hindi only on Doordarshan (nowadays, cable TV too) and where schools offered just two languages - Tamil, English. Even in schools that offered a third language, it was French (because it was easy?) or another Dravidian language.
Yes, I know that isn't great - but, you know, I didn't get to set the rules when I was in school. It isn't bad at work - though, people tend to assume you know Hindi! I think the first time I had a problem big-time was when I went out for a trip with this group - and they were speaking in Telugu/Hindi. Well, there was at least one person who took the time and effort to speak to me (in English) - may his tribe increase. The sad part, though, was that most of them didn't care - and, worse, at least one person knew that my Hindi isn't fluent!
In fact, it was worse than being out on the road. Do you know why? Because, when a conductor, bus driver, or shopkeeper realises that I don't know the language, they try their best to use the simplest of words and use English if they know. Also, I am not trying to build relationships there - I manage to get what I want and I will get going. However, when you go out as a group, you are trying to get to know them - where language matters all the more.
After such an experience, quite naturally, I spoke about it to a couple of people and got some suggestions, including reply in Tamil :P - now, that's gonna be fun!
The other day, when I couldn't sleep, I was searching for more information on India and the languages in this country. Not surprisingly:
"Hindi is the national language and primary tongue of 30% of the people; there are 21 other official languages: Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Oriya, Punjabi, Sanscrit, Santhali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu" [source]
So, the next time you think of saying "Arre, national language - how can you not know?" - ask yourself if you are a hockey player.
Got it?
Sorry. I understand.
ReplyDeletewell, unfortunately for you that idea will lead to your further seclusion. It is not your fault that you do not know Hindi, but you cannot insist others to use English only, when all others have a common language which they would any day prefer to English. The wise thing to do is to not crib and request to translate rather than cringing further complaining.
ReplyDelete@ Naveen: That's ok :) Not your fault!
ReplyDelete@ Kaushik: For the record, am not saying everyone must use English all the time - I "ask people to stick to English" when they talk to me - I don't care if you speak Hindi or any other language as long as you aren't talking to me. This post was prompted after I came across people who insisted on speaking in Hindi, even when they knew I am not really proficient in that language.
To put it another way, would you feel welcome if you are in a group of Andhraittes and they speak in Telugu - assuming you don't know the language :)
Would you speak in Hindi if a Spanish guy is in the group? If no, then why?
I cant agree more on what you wrote. I am getting tired of hearing this "Arre, national language - how can you not know?". Somehow this sorta statements kills even the faintest inclination to learn the language.
ReplyDelete