Language is not just a form of communication. Spoken language is a representation of culture. It is a language that has evolved within the community for years and has become a part of their cultural identity. In fact language and culture have been historically interconnected.
That is why the Rosetta Stone is not merely a linguistic discovery. It was the means to unlocking a treasure of culture and history to the world. Languages and dialects can represent unique microcultures. Each native American tribe had its own custom and language. The dying of a language is often associated with the dying of a culture. It is no wonder people hold on dearly to their language.
Does a nation need a "national language"?A common language would indeed be really nice. As we know language is a binding factor. It can be virtually impossible to pick a national language due to the sheer diversity. Very few countries really have a common national language.
However, an official language is needed. An official language is the preferred language to conduct business in. In a country that has a multitude of languages, there needs to be some common form of communication.
When India became a country it faced a challenge. Hindi was virtually unknown in the South. However, colonial influence had made English prominent. In the North with larger Hindi speaking numbers English was resisted and Hindi was still prominent. Hence, India picked Hindi and English as official languages. Each state was given the right to pick its internal official language.
As such there is really no "national" language.
The rashtra-bhasa controversy - The problem arises because we have a large group of Indian population who feel that just like national flag, national anthem etc we need a national language. A symbol of Indian unity and pride. That would be a simple task if we were not so linguistically diverse. They are not wrong to expect that, because it would be great if we can pull it off.
However, by doing this we are asking various cultures within the country to hierarchically place an alien language above the language they cherish.
I personally know Hindi, Marathi, English & Konkani fluently, I can completely understand Gujarati but cannot speak it. I can understand French and Spanish if they speak slowly in beginner level. I am not averse to learning or needing to learn any language at all. In fact I would love to have the time to start formally learning more languages. I would not consider myself unpatriotic either. However, I cringe at the fact that some people feel I have to recognize a national Ianguage for India. It just bothers me to the core, and it hurts a lot that people would consider that unpatriotic or disrespectful.
For me languages are either ones I speak or dont. Languages are my mother tongue or not. Languages are my first language or second. Maybe its just me, and maybe I am wrong, maybe I am just another arse but accepting a national language is not easy. The rashtra-bhasha movement feels unfair.
The fear of dying - People may think that a language will not die out or dwindle. Thats because its not a sudden occurence. It happens very very slowly. As generations go by, the number of people who know Konkani is dwindling. Apart from Goa its a language not affiliated to a state, but a coastal region. The pressure of state language, so called national language and then English. Most of my cousins do not know Konkani at all. They speak Marathi since we were in Mumbai. Some cousins in Karnataka speak Kannada. Only my Goan cousins know Konkani by default. My cousins in the states dont know any Indian language.
When the need to communicate in one language supercedes another, the superceding language will eventually fade out the other. Making Hindi "National" would require everyone to know it due to the "national" status. It would create a superceding need. Just like how state languages dominated Konkani in my family, a national language will dominate local tongues.
If I were to raise kids in the states I have a true dillemma do I teach them Konkani or Hindi (cos they must watch awesome Hindi movies) or Marathi (I am Mumbaikar afterall). Will I have time to teach all three or any combination.
Is there a need to learn - Language is learned to communicate. Necesscity is the mother of invention. If you need to communicate you will learn. With many non Hindi speaking parts of India - a large proportion will never step out of their small towns or state lines. They see no need to learn something new. They see no need to communicate. Those who do travel or communicate with broader groups will learn. Learning langauge should be need based not requirement based.
So my perception - South Indians should not feel hostility towards Hindi or Hindi speaking people. The rashtrabhasha movement is not exclusively based on Hindi, it is people who beleive in language for national identity and it includes a few South Indians too. Never disrespect or show any form of hostility to a language, culture or people for any reason. Do try to learn Hindi, it is the second official language in the country and most widely spoken. It always always pays to communicate and its better to build bridges than burn them. Learning a new language will be the best decision of your life. Heck my American friends try to learn Hindi because of their Indian friends.
On the other hand, people should not be expected to know Hindi or looked down upon for not knowing. There is nothing to be gained by making parts of the population that may never really be in contact with each other learn Hindi. I respect the fact that people want to foster national unity through language, but you would not want a national religion or national culture would you. Langauge is very close to personal culture and identity, its not easy to embrace a new one.
India could benefit from some federalization.
The third comment on this blog here is also well written and makes valid points -
http://dlc22.blogspot.com/2005/01/rashtrabhasha.htmlIf there ever has to be national language it should be a neutrally constructed language - Esperanzindia.
Ash nazg durbatulk,
ash nazg gimbatul,
ash nazg thrakatulk
agh burzum-ishi krimpatul
If the one ring was a language....
Cricket
Kundali Bhagya
