VERNACULAR

Vernacular : No Reason for Optimism

Nidhu Bhusan Das

My friend once asked:Why are you so optimistic about the growth and future achievements of your mother tongue?

I said: Because we have now the International Mother Tongue Day.

He said: You have also International Human Rights Day.Has it made any difference?

I pondered: Valid question. In fact,human rights are at stake in many societies. I told my friend: No, there has not been any difference,so far.

He said,confidently: Well, take it from me,no mother tongue is safe if the speech community does not have economic clout in the globalized society.

I said : Would you please explain?

He said : Do you think your children can have decent employment even in the other states of India than Bengal if they don’t know the functional use of English in speech and writing ?

I didn’t have an affirmative answer.

He continued : English has the sway in the international communication because the world leader,the only super power the USA is an English speaking nation.Please note that even though England is the country of origin of English language , British English has lost ground to the American English.True,there are many varieties of English including Indian English,yet American English holds the sway. Isn’t it significant?

I could not but accept the fact.

He asked :Do you think we the Bengalis will be world leaders in the foreseeable future ?

I said : I do not foresee such a possibility.

He said : Then you should not think that your children will be comfortable with learning your mother tongue if they have dream to achieve in the Global Village,as the world to-day is known .

I admit : Yes,they are reluctant to learn and pursue education in vernacular.

He said : Now you decide if there is room for optimism.

He said: You have also International Human Rights Day.Has it made any difference?

I pondered: Valid question. In fact,human rights are at stake in many societies. I told my friend: No, there has not been any difference,so far.

He said,confidently: Well, take it from me,no mother tongue is safe if the speech community does not have economic clout in the globalized society.

I said : Would you please explain?

He said : Do you think your children can have decent employment even in the other states of India than Bengal if they don’t know the functional use of English in speech and writing ?

I didn’t have an affirmative answer.

He continued : English has the sway in the international communication because the world leader,the only super power the USA is an English speaking nation.Please note that even though England is the country of origin of English language , British English has lost ground to the American English.True,there are many varieties of English including Indian English,yet American English holds the sway. Isn’t it significant?

I could not but accept the fact.

He asked :Do you think we the Bengalis will be world leaders in the foreseeable future ?

I said : I do not foresee such a possibility.

He said : Then you should not think that your children will be comfortable with learning your mother tongue if they have dream to achieve in the Global Village,as the world to-day is known .

I admit : Yes,they are reluctant to learn and pursue education in vernacular.

He said : Now you decide if there is room for optimism