English: Moving beyond the obsession

Recalling Amitabh Bachchan’s iconic dialogue from the 1982 film Namak Halal: “Arei aisi angrezi ave hain ke, that I can leave English behind… I can talk English, I can walk English, I can laugh English because English is a very funny language…” This memorable dialogue is often being used by people to spark humor and playful antics. The Arjun Singh (Big B) desperate for a job, trying to impress his prospective employer, villain Ranjeet, who asks him, since he has come to the city, he should know some English. The Big B humorously flaunts his quirky take on the English language, pretending to be proficient and familiar with English culture. This line has become a classic in Hindi cinema, often quoted humorously and showcases Big B’s exaggerated confidence in English-speaking abilities. While the dialogue is a source of pure entertainment for the audience, for some, it mocks those who take pride in their ability to speak English as if it is an indication of higher social status or intelligence.

There is no doubt that English is a global language transcending cultural and geographical boundaries, connecting people across diverse backgrounds. Whether it is a global business, diplomacy, tourism, scientific publishing, software development, English serves as the standard language, enabling collaboration and dissemination of knowledge. The internet, websites, social media and the platforms like Netflix, YouTube, and Spotify, predominantly feature English content, highlighting its role as a key language for digital communication to reach audiences worldwide. The proficiency in English is seen as a valuable skill that opens doors to educational and professional opportunities in higher education, advanced research, and job markets. This widespread appeal and utility makes English a vital and highly sought-after language worldwide. This creates a perception that proficiency in English is linked to intellectual and professional success.

English fluency holds such a sway in our lives that if you decide to speak in English for most of the day, broken or fractured, to everyone you meet; you will have a big day. People will look upon you with keen eyes, full of admiration and respect, assuming you are well-educated with cosmopolitan perspective and hail from an affluent background. Engaging in conversation in English with a friend, officer, doctor, shopkeeper invariably attracts the attention of others. Even a seemingly foolish question is seen as creative, evoking respectful responses. A shopkeeper will never insist about your actual place of residence. A trend usually reflected in official meetings where the officials are so preconceived to atleast speak few English sentences to impress boss and others which they have mugged up the previous day. In interviews the candidates are generally overrated on the fluency of English. The artful empty rhetoric, lofty ideas, grand statements delivered with impressive pronunciation on a subject can influence boss to assign important responsibilities to the individual. But in the end, it turns out to be all hollow, unjust and complete waste of time and energy.

The obsession with English in our society is deeply rooted in our colonial legacy. British colonial expansion between 16th to the 20th centuries saw the global spread of the language. By the 19th century, the British Empire had become the largest in history, covering the territories of Africa, Asia and the Americas. Colonizers promoted English in India primarily for administrative convenience, to facilitate communication within their bureaucracy, and to train a class of Indians for governance and trade. This helped unify regions and extend control, marginalizing indigenous languages and cultures. The English established schools and churches, promoting English as the medium of instruction. Proficiency in English became associated with better job prospects, higher social status, and access to global networks. This created a perception that speaking English was synonymous with being intelligent, educated, civilized, or modern, diminishing the sense of pride and confidence in native languages and cultural identities. In contrast, countries like Russia, Germany, France, Japan and China evolved independently. They took pride in their linguistic heritage, preserving their cultural and intellectual identities, while also recognizing the significance of English.

While English has become the global language, the use of native languages is essential for nurturing intellectual pursuits. Native languages allow for a deeper understanding and more precise articulation of ideas, leading to significant accomplishments. One of the finest examples of language effect can be thought of on Albert Einstein. He is recognized as one of the most influential scientists in the history who fundamentally changed the way we look at the universe. His theories on relativity and quantum mechanics including works on lasers and Bose-Einstein condensate have been driving force behind the modern technologies. Einstein’s four Annus Mirabilis papers, published in 1905 in German language, changed our views on space, time, mass and energy. In 1924, S. N. Bose sent him a research manuscript, recognizing its importance; Einstein elaborated its ideas and immediately translated it into German language and sent it for publication in leading scientific journal Zeitschrift für Physik. Einstein’s works on philosophy and religion, and correspondences-formal/informal letters/diaries were mostly written in German. And, when the scientist was dying, his last words were in German but the nurse on duty couldn’t understand the words.

Einstein grew up in Germany, spent entire life in pursuit of knowledge. He knew languages like Italian, French and English but he was most comfortable with his mother tongue, German. Writing in his native language was a natural thing that allowed him to express his ideas with greater clarity and precision. Einstein often remarked that memorizing words, texts, and names caused him considerable difficulties. Speaking different languages was of no importance to him as he was deeply immersed in thoughts and imagination. Though Einstein lived later part of his life in the United States, he never became fluent in English. He would speak English in pauses from a paper all with German accent and preferred the native language for his writings. If he was asked to speak formally or to write a letter/article, he would first write a draft in German and then his colleague/secretary would translate it into English. His famous letter to Franklin D Roosevelt, at the dawn of the World War-II-warning about Germen knowing nuclear technology, was actually written by his fellow Physicist. Thus, Einstein’s lack of proficiency in English, illustrates the fact that intelligence and creativity are not dependent on fluency or skills in English.

An obsession with English might distance you from local idioms, humor, and cultural references, creating barriers with those more comfortable in their native language. It might prevent individuals from nurturing genuine understanding of things, generating novel ideas or creating solutions and thus it can stifle creativity and innovation. Brilliant individuals with valuable insights who are less comfortable, expressing themselves in English are put in a disadvantageous position. We must realize the fact that true worth and capability of a person are not limited to their command of a particular language. Acquiring English fluency by birth or naturally, without formal education, does not necessarily mean sophistication or intelligence. Those who feel marginalized for their lack of fluency in English would still be clever, and resourceful without perfect language skills, thus challenging the notion that proficiency in English is the sole indicator of intelligence or capability. Had English language been a measure of intelligence, the natives would not have sent their children to schools for formal education. Intelligence lies in the mind. Intelligence, creativity and capability are multifaceted and can manifest in various ways beyond language proficiency. It is more advantageous to be creators than mere speakers.

 Prof (Dr) Muhmmad Amin Malik, College Principal, Higher Education Department, J&K