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Language Bias PDF Print E-mail

 

Knowledge is power and ‘knowledge’ in contemporary context is basically defined in terms of ‘knowledge in English’. Learning to read, write and speak in English is considered as an essential qualification for almost all white collar jobs and therefore those who receive education in vernacular medium schools face discrimination in the job market and are considered inferior.

English is also seen as the yardstick of measuring merit. Those who are from rural and poor environment, unlike those from rich and urban setting, do not get education in English. The majority of this rural and poor population is no doubt the OBCs.

This can be seen both as a colonial hangover as well as a Brahmanical conspiracy to eliminate the majority section of people from competition by setting a standard that is not available to majority of the population and also not enabling them to get quality education in their mother-tongue. The conspiracy is also to eliminate the regional languages or at least to treat them as second grade languages not suitable for ‘higher’ level of learning. A hierarchy has been established between English and other regional languages. The situation is similar to the days when Sanskrit was considered as the sacred and superior language and the Brahmans who monopolised learning that language considered themselves superior. Situation not much different now when there are only 3-5% population in India who can use English effectively, but still they dominate the rest of the population.

Though some low-caste scholars/activists have demanded English medium education for the Dalits or OBCs to face the challenge of the upper-caste domination in education, many educationists argue that mother-tongue should be the medium of instruction for education specially at least for the lower level of education so that a strong foundation can be built. Learning in ones own mother-tongue enables students to relate to the social reality more easily. Moreover, regional languages should be language of administration and higher learning so that English does not get a position of monopoly.