We Indians have an Assortment of Languages and Dialects to choose from. Still, we 'have to learn' English because it is superimposed on us. There is no way out as this is the only option available. Our skill in English plays a great role in deciding the 'quality' of our Future. At every level, we have to 'prove' that 'we know English'. We speak English and derive more respect from those who don't understand it! Social Occasions, Schools, Colleges, Friends' Circles, Interviews and Entrance Examinations - almost everything is influenced by English.
The questions asked in Entrance Examinations are very Rudimentary in nature. Even the residents of the US and the UK can be perplexed by such English questions! Those aspirants who appear for these exams 'have to master' the Rudiments of Grammar, Comprehensive Vocabulary, Spellings and Sentence Re-Arrangement. For our friends of America or Britain, English is like Hindi or Tamil is for us. I don't know why we can't demonstrate our mastery of Indian Languages. I have seen many Foreigners for whom speaking a line in Hindi after days of 'rehearsal' is like their worst nightmare come true. Inspite of that, we 'Indians' have to write 'Flawless' English. We feel guilty or shameful when we can't speak or understand English. After sometime, we join the 'Fight Against English Imperialism' only to disguise our inability to learn English. I have not conducted any Survey or done any Research, but I am sure that most of us watch English Movies and read Newspapers only to 'acquaint' ourselves with 'more and more English'. Sometimes I wonder that even during our free time, we 'practise' English phrases and sentences. We don't speak, but Flaunt it Fluently. We don't speak to, but speak at people! Those who are rich and attend Page 3 parties are not concerned with Grammar or Vocab, they just shortlist a few 'keywords' and utter them with 'International Accent' and National Confidence. Whatever they speak is totally rubbish and incorrect. They can't spell out the word they speak. Western Attire and Cocktails spruce up their 'presentation'.
We had lost our freedom to Imperial Forces much earlier. The Europeans, their culture and 'style' made us feel 'inferior'. They exploited and humiliated us in every possible way. Gradually, from 'merchants' they became 'Rulers'. They cashed in on our lax administration and unorganised masses. When we realised that, it was too late. However, they could not break our 'BackBone - Unity in Diversity'. Their brutality could not bend our Spirit. For this they invented a new tactics - Divide and Rule. 'Communalism' for the Illiterate or Have Nots or Rural Population and introduction of 'English' for the Urban Population or 'Intellectuals' or the Haves. Now, the world knows how badly we Indians have been bleeding for years because of 'Communalism'. However, the onslaught of English is always understated. The next paragraph attempts to explore the same.
Before we discuss the ill-effects of English, let's analyse English exclusively as a Language. English has become the lingua franca of the world. It is a globally accepted language. It has a comprehensive vocabulary incorporating words from most of the languages of the world. Actually, English is a Truly Inclusive Language. Moreover, the English Grammar is very logical and dynamic. Since English has Global presence, its accent has been 'localised'. Therefore, the term 'Standard English' has become a myth. What the Educated Class of a particular area accepts becomes the 'Standard' for that region. Only English has that 'charisma' to turn the ordinary into extra-ordinary. Some books in non-English languages have become 'bestsellers' and have been largely read across the world after being transliterated into English. English is also a source of numerous jobs. Many work profiles are directly based on English Fluency and Grammar. All these things have made English - a Den of Opportunities.
The only problem with English is that it was the 'language' of the Imperial Powers. Currently, it has become the 'mother tongue' of the Market Forces - the newest version of Exploitation. The problem is with its superimposition. Those who like English can study it By Choice. Studying English in order to 'secure' a job or to 'influence' people is not a healthy practice. It is Disguised Coercion. Also, English has become a 'Class'. It has erected a wall between the 'Speakers' and the 'Non-Speakers'. In addition, it has led to the formation of a New Middle Class based on fake gestures, shallow relations and Pomposity. It has led to a Social as well as an Economic division. The Advent or Superimposition of English has taken its toll on Indian Culture and Languages. The Most Hurt are the Commoners who are at the Receiving End and English itself as a pure language! After All, it has been accused of perpetrating several Atrocities.
Post Script: In India, the Precondition to criticise or analyse the presence of English is to attain 'Professional Proficiency' in English.
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