Spark Your Passion for Tongues and Cultures through Learning Languages
Hoppin' onto the Language Debate Bandwagon: Hindi vs Telugu - Lessons from the Heart of India
Ever since the new education policy proposal surfaced, the good old language dispute has been brewing, especially since I, being a multilingual trainer, have trainees hailing from every corner of the country. So, buckle up, mateys, as I delve into my take on the bickering Hindi and Telugu debate.
Living in Hyderabad for more than six years now, I have had the privilege of surviving, thanks to my basic Hindi knowledge. My Hindi skills greatly improved after moving here, as I've been interacting with folks from all walks of life. I'm eternally grateful for learning Hindi in fifth grade and having a Hindi course during my B.A., as it's been a lifesaver on numerous occasions. And let's not forget my passion for Hindi films and shows from my school and college days – it surely helped spice up my Hindi! Incredible, isn't it, that my mom, who doesn't watch Hindi shows and only studied it as her third language in high school, started spitting out Hindi sentences, to the surprise of many, when she visited us in Hyderabad. It speaks volumes about the importance of learning a nationwide language that bridges gaps across the country, even in Hyderabad or Bangalore, deep down South.
When individuals view Hindi as a language to be banned from the curriculum, it's a bit disconcerting. I mean, why should we treat language as a tool for suppression instead of just viewing it as a handy utility to find success in life? While loving your mother tongue is awesome, what's wrong with learning a national language that people across various social classes can understand in numerous states? Perhaps not mandatorily, I believe it should be offered as an optional third language for those interested or parents who wish for their kids to learn it. Let's give people the power to choose rather than pushing or banning it outright. Instead of shouting slogans like "We refuse to let Hindi enter our state," it feels fanatical and a barrier for those wishing to learn it. I can vouch for this personally, as I've heard from several Tamil Nadu trainees and colleagues who had to relocate to Mumbai and Up North for work and wished they had the choice of learning Hindi in school to make their transition smoother.
Speaking of my own experience, since Hindi got me by in Hyderabad, I never felt the need to learn Telugu when I moved here. As I interacted mainly with Malayalis and folks from other parts of the country, it wasn't until I moved into my home and got neighbors or security guards who could only speak in Telugu that I realized the need to learn the language. I'm mediocre at best in Telugu, and whatever I learn from Google translate is adequate for survival. I've never felt even an ounce of annoyance when the locals spoke among themselves in Telugu, as I'm not their boss, and they're free to converse in their mother tongue at home. If they try to help me by minimally converting Telugu into English or Hindi, I'm grateful for their effort, but I don't think it's my right to command it from them. If anything, I should feel a tad ashamed for not putting in enough effort earlier to learn the language of the region I reside in. Yes, I am picky about Vedu using Malayalam at home as she should learn and appreciate her mother tongue, but I also think it's crucial she understands the importance of learning the language of wherever she stays, be it now or in the future.
Heading out of the capital to other parts of AP, Telangana, or Karnataka, you will likely find yourself relying on sign language with locals if you don't know Telugu or Kannada. Visit Tamil Nadu, especially Chennai, they might talk to you in English. But be warned, chances are that some won't reply in English even if they understand it. Just like in the other states I mentioned, you'll meet people who can only understand their mother tongue – Tamil. In Kerala, many understand and can converse to some extent in English because of the influx of foreign tourists. Hindi as a medium of communication? Don't expect much. There are also plenty who can only understand Malayalam.
Now, what I've seen is people from Hindi-speaking regions going to the Southern states for jobs and demanding that the locals learn Hindi so their lives become easier. Seems fair, right? Wrong! I've encountered construction workers from West Bengal and Tamil Nadu who learned and fluently spoke Malayalam because they understood the importance of learning the vernacular language where they dwell. The state even made efforts to cater to these people by displaying multiple languages, including Hindi, on transportation boards and menus at places with a higher concentration of these individuals. So when someone with a white-collar job whines, "I can't believe this place! The people here can't speak a single word of Hindi or English!" the question that pops in my mind is – Why should they if they're comfortably settled in their own state and their work relies on communicating with people who can understand their language? When you move to a new place to survive among the locals, it's your responsibility to learn their language, even if it's not a lot, just enough for common everyday scenarios. With technology at your fingertips, it's not rocket science, mate.
And to those of my trainees who'd bully others with "Hindi is our national language. You'd better learn it if you want to survive in this project," I'll say the same thing I've always told my trainees from every state – Colonization was terrible, and it doesn't sit well with you when a foreign language replaces yours in corporations. Hindi might be one of the "official" (not "national") languages used in government offices and those affiliated with the Central Government. In short, until the official language of corporations, dealing with partners, clients, and employees across the globe, is English, you're stuck with it, regardless of your mother tongue. No matter how passionate you are about your mother tongue, if you use it with others who understand it and isolate someone who doesn't, that's unprofessionalism.
Engaging in personal growth through education and self-development, one could realize the significance of learning a national language like Hindi. Collaborating and communicating with individuals from diverse backgrounds becomes more accessible, ultimately enhancing one's lifestyle and promoting personal growth.
Moreover, embracing the idea of learning local languages such as Telugu when residing in a region where it is predominantly spoken opens up opportunities and bridges gaps between various cultures. Such an approach is not only beneficial for professional advancement but also bolsters mutual respect and understanding within a community.
