tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5824443864703992568.post9128059115613538611..comments2023-09-29T09:30:24.064+05:30Comments on @aThakkali: Story of a 'Madrasi'!Anand Natarajanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03869700513914602630noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5824443864703992568.post-18945042355143088752014-06-29T20:11:20.869+05:302014-06-29T20:11:20.869+05:30Dear Tammy,
I agree in principle with your assert...Dear Tammy,<br /><br />I agree in principle with your assertion that convenience of communication should decide the use of any language for effective governance. The situation in India however is quite different and may I add unique. The federating units manage the governance in the regional language and the 'Link' language between the regional units and the federal govt is English and has been so for more than 100+ years from the Raj days. Imposition of any one language or primacy to any one in such a scenario leads to disturbing the hornets nets. English by the way is no longer an alien language in India. The present arrangement of Regional languages in the regions and English as the 'Link' is ideal and should continue. India is quite different from most countries as the sheer size and the diversity doesn't permit homogeneity and hence kudos to the makers of India's constitution who recognized this facet. India as we know would not have existed but for the celebration of its diversity by its people.<br /><br />Also the fact that almost all Indian language are ancient and rich. Tamil for example is a 4000 year old Classical language with one of the most developed grammar and its ancient literature a veritable treasure trove of history of Mankind. As are most other Indian languages. Such heritage will suffer if only one language is promoted.<br />Thanks for reading and commenting.<br />AnandAnand Natarajanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03869700513914602630noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5824443864703992568.post-5250558401996513552014-06-28T19:17:38.032+05:302014-06-28T19:17:38.032+05:30One of the thoughts which is always tucked away wh...One of the thoughts which is always tucked away when reading the opinion of others is this: Am I asking the right questions? And if I am asking the wrong question will I end up with the wrong solution?<br /><br />While agreeing with the broad stroke on the palette, a different brush is required when discussing language tools and governance. The work of governance requires the dissemination of policies, regulations, and a vast communication conduit to do her work. So there must be an official and primary language which is recognized as the means of communication for official business. This is not so much an issue of a particular ethnocentric pride in mother tongue, rather based on the need to adhere to standard business practices in an effective manner.<br /><br />Recognition of a language to be used in official capacity for the work of government is more practical than political. The beauty of this unfolds when noting that the establishment of this benchmark pushes the citizens forward to master the mechanics of two languages, and in many nations, the mastery of three languages.<br /><br />Sanskrit is considered to be an ancient form of communication which was cherished for use in diplomatic circles because of the difficulty of the average individual grasping the nuances of meaning of the language in spoken form. I am grateful that in my own nation English is the official language. It is a soft language and fairly easy to grasp. As we also have many Spanish-speaking citizens I am also fluent in Spanish. I have an acceptable working knowledge of French. Every one of these applications is for practicality.<br /><br />Mother tongue is very, very important because our generations and our history are passed along via oral tradition. So it can and should be retained as the primary means of communication within the home and regional community. But as government must meet the needs of a vastly diverse population, an official language for the work of business is desirable.<br /><br />Nice commentary and I enjoyed reading your thoughts. Thank you for letting me add my own.<br /><br />Tammy Swofford<br /><br />Daily Times, Friday page<br />Economic Affairs, senior writerTammy Swoffordhttp://tammyswofford.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5824443864703992568.post-35891454588710834252014-06-28T16:25:03.277+05:302014-06-28T16:25:03.277+05:30Dear Vijay,
Agree with you on Language being a to...Dear Vijay,<br /><br />Agree with you on Language being a tool for communication. However Language has an economic dimension as well as an emotional connect. And hence any imposition of a language leads to dissonance. Tamilnadu has moved on from its 'Anti-Hindi' days to learn Hindi ones purely on this basis. I am well aware of your skills with Telugu so I presume the 'barb' to learn 'Madrasi' is not directed at you. Thanks for reading. Anand Natarajanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03869700513914602630noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5824443864703992568.post-81300650214452112892014-06-28T11:53:41.271+05:302014-06-28T11:53:41.271+05:30Why do we become a purist when it comes to languag...Why do we become a purist when it comes to language (yes we do become one for other reasons too - largely inconsequential). One perspective being that language is one medium of communication, as long as one is able to express and the other able to comprehend, what more do you need? Why does one need to conform to purity or a kind of language? Shouldn't we be thankful that we have a voice and an ability to hear, those who do not have this and communicate through sign language do not facethese language issues, do they communicate any less? For them at least one less discrimination - they are not dissected on language. <br /><br />My mother tongue is Hindi but have many friends from other regions whose mother tongue is not Hindi but they express much better than me in MY mother tongue. Shame on me...I cant reciprocate the same to them. But I make serious effort to learn.Vijay Kishor Shuklahttp://www.facebook.com/vijaykishorshuklanoreply@blogger.com