Saturday, March 31, 2007
Languages
My uncle in Pakistan and I were conversing a few days ago when the topic of language surfaced. It's a common trend in third world countries and especially the South Asian ones to employ English as the main language of communication in schools, colleges, and governmental institutions. Increasingly, 'english medium' schools are springing forth where the medium of instruction is in English and not the land's native language. Why?
Partly because the mastery of the English language provides for better job prospects. Undeveloped economies lack the indigenous industrial base and therefore to attract offshore investments, an English speaking labor force is a considerable asset. Another reason is that the colonial legacy ensures a feeling of inferiority for generations and an attraction towards light skin and foreign languages.
There is a saying that to destroy a people's identity, take away their language. The promise of short term success has lured the masses into more than they have bargained for. Fifty years down the road, the damage will become obvious when a generation raised is neither proficient in their native language nor the English one.
Partly because the mastery of the English language provides for better job prospects. Undeveloped economies lack the indigenous industrial base and therefore to attract offshore investments, an English speaking labor force is a considerable asset. Another reason is that the colonial legacy ensures a feeling of inferiority for generations and an attraction towards light skin and foreign languages.
There is a saying that to destroy a people's identity, take away their language. The promise of short term success has lured the masses into more than they have bargained for. Fifty years down the road, the damage will become obvious when a generation raised is neither proficient in their native language nor the English one.
Labels: languages
