On India’s Multilingualism And The Need To Protect Our Native Languages

International Mother Language Day is observed on 21 February every year to promote mother tongue, multilingualism and cultural diversity worldwide.

In other words, the day reminds us of the import of the language that we first hear and learn from our parents irrespective of our geographical locations, further asking us to work for the preservation and protection of all languages used in every nook and cranny of the world.

International Mother Language Day

Historically, it was 21 February, 1999 when International Mother Language Day was first declared by UNESCO. This declaration came up in tribute to the Language Movement launched by the Bangladeshis.

The background to the movement is that unilaterally the Government of Pakistan in 1948 declared Urdu to be the sole national language of Pakistan, notwithstanding the fact that Bangla was spoken by the majority of the populace combining then East Pakistan and West Pakistan.

The people of East Pakistan took to the streets to protest against the promulgation since most of the population was from there and their mother language was Bangla. They demanded Bangla be at least one of the national languages, in addition to Urdu. The demand was raised first by Dhirendranath Datta from then East Pakistan on 23 February, 1948, in the constituent Assembly of Pakistan.

The Importance Of Our Native Languages

It goes without saying that languages are the most powerful and effective instruments of preserving and developing our tangible and intangible linguistic heritage. Such a move comes in handy to promote the dissemination of mother tongues.

It does not only serve to encourage linguistic diversity and multilingual instruction but also to develop fuller awareness of linguistic and cultural traditions throughout the world. This also seeks to inspire solidarity based on understanding, tolerance and dialogue among human inhabitants.

India’s National Education Policy (NEP 2020) is in line with what research says that children best learn in their mother tongue, and therefore, they should be availed of such opportunities of receiving early education and instructions in the same medium for a larger cause and interest.

It holds true that native language content is more efficient and effective for the educational and academic growth and advancement of the young ones, and therefore, they need to be educated and kept informed in their language.

However, the three-language formula is in national ethos and practice, the main reason being India is a multilingual society with 1,652 languages in vogue, whereas there are about 6,500 languages in the world.

Multilingualism In India

A language is much more than just a way of communicating. Language, and particularly our mother tongue, is an essential part of any culture.

It is worth mentioning here that Nelson Mandela once said, “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.” At least 43% of all languages are endangered, and fewer than 100 of the world’s languages are used in the digital world.

Most internet communication is in one of the following languages: English, Chinese Mandarin, Spanish, Arabic, Portuguese, Indonesian, Malayan, Japanese, Russian, German and Hindi. But everyone has the right to use their mother language and keep the memories, traditions and ways of thinking that their language represents.

However, being multilingual has many advantages if you begin to count. Scientific research says a multilingual person is more brainy and brawny. Multilingualism enables a person to know diverse cultures, views and opinions. You can quickly adjust yourself anywhere in the world provided that you have certain skills coupled with multilingualism.

Being a resident of India, you naturally have to be multilingual in light of the fact that the Government of India passed the Official Language Act in 1963, through which every educated citizen is expected to know at least three languages.

One is the mother tongue that you get from your mom, dad and your family. Second, any other Indian language such as Hindi or any other language. Third, English is compulsory when it comes to passing the 10th Board exams. Remarkably, if you are going to write competitive examinations for any decent jobs, qualifying for an English test is compulsory as a ladder to the next step of success.

India, which is a multilingual society, has around 25% of the languages and dialects of the world in practice. It is impossible for one to know all these languages. This is the reason that the government years ago aptly and wisely formulated the Three Language Formula for smooth transaction and communication in the length and breadth of the country.

This is also needed for national integration, connectivity, development, prosperity and overall bonding. However, there has been politics over languages in India. Tamil Nadu refuses to adopt the use of Hindi in its official communications, giving priority to Tamil and English.

The official language of the Supreme Court of India is English, not any other Indian language. Hence, people in common are expected to either know English or find a legal representative who can communicate in English for their justice that is delivered in English only.

A monolingual person may have a set of 25,000 words as an average for his communication. But then a multilingual person stocks multiple thousands of words. By that token, it is very clear that the ROM/RAM of the brain of a multilingual person is much bigger.

Hence, be proud of yourself. Take pride in saying that you are a native of India and you are multilingual. Go multilingual, if you are not in the true sense. Enjoy the beauty of languages.

Dr Birbal Jha is a noted author and the Managing Director of Lingua Multiservices Pvt Ltd, having a popular trademark brand British Lingua. He is credited with having created a revolution in English training with the slogan “English for all” in India.