Is Hindi losing to English?
English enjoys a stronger standing than Hindi in the status ladder is something we all know. Recent reports further suggest that it might overtake Hindi as the largest medium of instruction in schools in the capital.
The academic year 2010-11 saw an increase nearly one lakh students attending English-medium schools in the city, according to a yet-to-be released report prepared by the National University of Education, Planning and Administration. Experts tell us why students are gradually losing interest in Hindi.
Rita Rajen Kumar, principal, Hans Raj Model School feels, “Youngsters take pride in English language. I feel this change will have a slow and lingering effect as we’re missing out on Hindi.”
It’s not only Hindi but other regional languages too are suffering, feel experts.
Retd. education officer P.C. Bose tells us, “When I was young, I was more keen on speaking in my mother language Bengali than English. We all took pride in speaking our regional languages. And English was taught just like any other subject, unlike today when it’s taught like a utility subject. The problem is all other regional languages are suffering in the process. Vocational value of English scores over Hindi.”
Today, parents also encourage their kids to only speak in English. Is that what is triggering this change? Dr Shefali Ray, children’s writer and teachers trainer points out, “I teach English but at home I never make my kids feel that it is important to talk in English only. We usually talk in Bengali or Hindi. But I’ve seen that many parents tend to speak to their kids in English. I guess there are some people who still suffer from an inferiority complex and think it’s cool to talk in English. Some of us still haven’t got a sense of identity.
She further adds, “I feel more children’s books should be written in Hindi, just like English.”
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