By Dr AK Srivastava
To know another language is to possess another soul. – Chinese Proverb
You can never understand one language until you know two. – Anonymous
English Language Day is celebrated on 23 April. The English language is the most popular, influential and esteemed language in the world. It is considered to be the most effective and significant link language for people of different nations. The language had its origins in England in the fourteenth century. Geoffrey Chaucer is considered the first English poet. Similarly, Francis Bacon and Christopher Marlowe are pioneering prose writers and dramatists, with the genius of William Shakespeare enriching the language no end. Like any other language, the English language also experienced many changes and numerous new words from French, Latin and German were included in it with the passage of time. Many words and expressions became archaic as they went out of use with due course of time. The English language became very popular and its Diaspora increased very fast. The reason behind such a great success was that several nations were ruled by the British Empire. India was also a British colony and hence the English language came to India with the British people. It is a natural tendency to learn the language of rulers in the subject. Consequently, the language became very popular in India. On the one hand, people wanted to learn it to serve in government offices and, on the other hand, its simplicity and significance fascinated the common person. It is always wise to learn a second language.
Language is the blood of the soul into which thoughts run and out of which they grow. – Oliver Wendell Holmes
With the passage of time, the English language became so popular that it became the language of the masses. Indian students started learning it in schools and colleges, both, for academic excellence and also to please their masters. This situation suited the British rulers as they started getting plenty of clerks to serve them in their offices for administrative work. Today, British rule has finished in India, but their language has made a permanent place for itself. Its practical usefulness and vibrant outlook on a global platform have made it extremely useful. Now it is part and parcel of our lives.
India is the most populated country with more than eight hundred languages and a diverse social, political and cultural background. English language has become the link language for all Indians. Citizens of different states can communicate with one another easily and comfortably with the help of this language. It is a window for Indians to approach numerous opportunities at the international level.
“One language sets you in a corridor for life. Two languages open every door along the way.” – Frank Smith
Today we are living in the fast-moving global world where all academic, trade and commerce activities along with tourism depend on fluency in the English Language. The world is guided by ICT, digital transactions and artificial intelligence. All these things are not possible without fluency in English. Our progress and success largely depend on this language. Let language not become a barrier to your progress.
‘If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart.” — Nelson Mandela.
With growing prosperity and modern means of transport, the tendency to go abroad for studies and livelihood is increasing with enormous speed. Here also, the English Language is instrumental in our success and placements. All international libraries in standard universities are in this language.
”Language is the soul of the intellect, and reading is the essential process by which that intellect is cultivated beyond the commonplace experiences of everyday life. It’s a language that is adaptive to emotions, ideas and feelings.” – Katherine West
There is no controversy about learning and admiring our mother tongue but to know another language is to have a new vision of life. The chief objective of any language is to communicate our ideas and feelings to others. Hence, the English language is an instrument of progress for us in today’s fast-moving world with unlimited opportunities. Communication skills really matter in our professional acumen and dynamism. It guides us from education to entertainment, poverty to prosperity and facts to fantasy.
Today, the English language has an exceptionally and remarkably unique status and popularity. In addition to English Literature, writers of different continents and countries are expressing themselves through this language. A lot of world-class literature is being penned in English. Its popularity in India, the African and Australian continents has produced an enormous amount of world literature which is a source of both enlightenment and solace for educated people across the entire globe.
Now the question is – How to improve our fluency in English? All languages are skills and have four components – Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing. In order to excel in the English language, one should concentrate on these steps. The more you listen, the better you speak and the more you read, the better you write. One must try to excel in English by attacking all four steps. That is no secret.
In conclusion, we must acknowledge the beauty, significance and utility of this wonderful language. It is a source of joy and an instrument of success. Its beauty is hidden in its popularity and simplicity.
“The English language is nobody’s special property. It is the property of imagination: it is the property of language itself.” — Derek Walcott.
(Dr AK Srivastava is Principal, DAV Inter College, Dehradun)
