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DALIT ACCBSSING ENGLISH: AI\ AS SE S SMENT OF OFFICIAL LAIIGUAGB POLICY IN INDIA nation's own. According to Kelman, national language is a "language of the people,,(Mambo: 2007:77). B11t higher sl:r'rrri among Indians as it is tool for official lunguug" must concern itself primarili *ith empowerment' Nr:tu everyone in India is dependent people's empowennent rather than being a national on English for their economical mobility. English is iyrnror. an offrcial language is a language-that is given the.functioning language in the most institutions of a special legal status ii a"particular counfy. offrciat Indi4 he it Administration or Education. English has language will be used in that country,s courts, acquired the second language status in India and now pariamlnt and administration. An official language it has no more an image ofan alien language. But official provides a way for people to achieve socio-economic language policy-implementation stillipeaks about po*.., education,;obs, social status, and access all rejbction of English even though English is dominant iind oiopportunities: an offrcial language is a..langqage union official language. It spends money rp_...ug for the people". In multi-linguatiivfrsin.a Hindi" not English. The inevitable dutr ofLoofficial selectioi of official "offi language is very important because language is in its easy accessibility thereby which it it helps equany to uniie o]n"r""ii*J;e";ffit;; empowers people. Definition of official language peoplewiththeirgovernmentailministr;io;@astman: expects an easy access to English to people through 2001:65g-59). Since colonial period, English language has
acquired
the government policy (official language policy implementation). But the official language. policy Tooverstatethecaseabit,anationallangu4ge implementation is away from ensuring English as the can be compared to the national flag. A country,s flag officiallanguageand itsinstrumentalrenefitstopeople. functions almost entirely as a symbol. An official In the absence of English from government pbficies, language is more like thetrack and rolling stock of a market is autonomously operated by disseminating natlona-l railroad. Its purpose tr;;;;rd;;il; English fsr those who'are wealthy and can afford symbolic@asold:1985:4). Nationallanguagesalways English Education. It makes the benefits of official seem to be an important *p""iorrtn ricity as well as language (English'language) away from mainly Dalits ofnationality.lndeedinsub-Saharan-Afric4theofficial because of their economical and rural backwardness. language of most nations is an international This mechanism of official language policy in ,iniJt the nations were formerly governed.language choice implementation makes social injustice to Dalits. it of a common language as the offic"ial t*grug" h* rnakes great dead lock to Dalit accessing English. much to do with its neutrality with regard to intemal Language in rndia: rssues and concerns fi1fl1L::'J::ffi";"iE*ff::;i3ill;iT# 9T"i:l Definition of national, official language helps to avoiding the conflicts and get to high level instrumental understand the problems of offrcial language and its benefitfthesecountriesarefollowingacleardifference
impact on Dalit accessing English. According to leading between official and national language. The distinction socio-linguistics scholars, tlreduties ofoffic[], nationa] is clear when it comes to the usJ and requirements of language are entirely different. Socio-linguistic scholar a national and an offrcial language. The best choice of Garvin defines the term "national language" as ari official language is often tlatif the former colonial language which serves the entire g"ogruprri*l area rulers. eu..fu"i"-o;y ;il;;;ioent.
"a of
multi -lingual anationratherthanaregionalorethnicsub-divisionas country the official language function is pragmatic the language of a political, social, and cultural entity". rather ilan symbolic. in these countries a language Essentially national language is associatea wlttr qualified as an official language is often far from emotional attachrnents towards a nation or state. qualifieda_sanationalistlanguage. rqr6@6!' Fergusori and Heath note that a national language : functions as a national symbol recognized as the 40
WorldFocus April Z0tI
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Forexample: l. Angola: One official language (Portuguese); seven national languages; 42 listed Languages (41 living, one
extinct).
2. Cameroon: Two official languages (French and English); 230 or 286 listed languages/dialects. 3. T,ambia: One official language (English); seven
national languages; 72 listed languages/dialects @anda:2009:7)
majority of the African countries followed clear demarcation bqtween national and official language. They gave national language status to their ethniclanguages and selected colonial master's language as their official language (Lodhi: 1993:80)' They did not
recognize colonial master's language as national language.
The constitution makers of India wanted to
Kelman explains furttrerthe difference between
national and official language based on language purpose. He explains about language?s attachment with instrumental and sentimental natures. By instrumental, he means the benefits one gains from society by using the language while sentimental refers to one's emotional history with the language. Sentimental attachments measure how the language represents the individual. Here official language refers to instrumental attachment
and national language for sentimental attachment (Mambo:2007:77). Essentially sentimental attachment is seen by some to be more properly a matter of primordial feelings refening to the attachments 'derived from place ofbirttr, kinship, religion,langqage and social practice' which are natural for them, are spiritual character, and allow them to feel an affinity with those
with whom they share common @astman:2001:659)
language do not remain close. To resolve this problem,
.
background
People are sentimentally or
primordially attached to a political entiry when they see it a representative of themselves. They are instrumentally attached to it when they see it as a way to achieve what theY want. When India experienced language dichotomies,
initially the makers of our constitution looked for European model as a solution to Indian language problems (Sharma: 2006:55). In European countries national language also performs the role of official language. But in developing nation's national language
cannot perform.that role. From the European experience, India began to envisage national language's
duty in terms of official language (Lodhi: 1993:80)' Butthe linguistic diversity of India is entirely different
make asingle national languageto ail over Indiabecause it was considered that single national language can help
in nation-building process (Kodanda: 1969:46). Hindi seemed to be an apt choice for them to be the national language. But Hindi was not accepted by non- Hindi region people as a national language' To compromise
non-Hindi people Hindiwas adopted as inthe name of official language'. English also was adopted to act as an associated offrcial language of lndia. Constitution makers assigned the task to official language policy implementation to gradualiy remove English from
Indian administration. The Constitution of India considered that Hindi wili unite all Indian culture and shall be select Hindi as official ianguage for the Uniotl
and it gives advice to 'Commission and Committee of Parliament on Officiat Language' for official language policy implementationto regardto the Indian languages' culture3. The official language muSt be selected based on its instmmental benefits and it must concem about only people's instrumental language needs. But the
direction of official language policy implementation tried to save cultural pur;ty of Hindi language. According to Gan'in the national language policy implementation can only concem and claim about cultural purity of language' When the people of nonHindi region demand use English as Union official
in otficial
language poticy impiementation show as if they promoted only Hindi ovir non-Hindi region, not English, though- according to constitution of India- Hindi and English have the
language, trends
status as offtcial language and associate official language
respectively. The 'Three language formula', rvhich official language policy introduced in lndia in 1968, from European countries multilingualism. In factAsian, language and African countries have a much larger number of also attempted to make Hindi as national go to exciude the status different ethnic-languages than Europe countriesr' in actual implementation one of lndia' tt Another important fact is that in European countries of English language as official language but language, link intpmational as English considered the concept of nation-state, nationalism, formation of Indiaa' in status language has a second English in reality the boundaries, national langu?ge, and official language This formula did not succeed. In addition to this the developing in But (King: 1998:23-26\. interrelated are Language is making number of nations, nationalism. national language and official Department of Offrcial INDIA DALITACCESSINGEIIGLISH: AI\ASSESSMEM OFOTT.ICIALLANGUAGE POUCYIN
41
programs to spread Hindi to all over India and it is interesting to note that the departmint is not spending money forEnglish even thoughEnglish is major official language in all governmental activities. The result are seen today when English language leaming has became ahuge commercial proposition without any regulation. The selection of one ethnic language in amulti-lingual
context to serve as the official language Creates resentment among other language groups who would label it as a new'.imperialism,, declaring this language to be more alien to them than the foreign tanguage
(English). However,
it is not merely a matter of
However, such development created an impact only among the educated English speaking urban_baSed Indian middle and upper classes. But Dalits are excluded
socially (& economically) from this project and process gf llelonment (Upadhya and Vasavi ,2006;Upadhy4 2007; & Vignesh, 2007) since the language of-English is one ofthe criteria for entering into different areas of profession (Krishnan and Brihmadesam, 2006). Given
their poor economic condition as a community, Dalits cannot afford sending their children to English medium
schools. Most of English medium schools too are
located in the cities and urban centers. Eighty per cent psychological resentment, for, while the elevation of of the Dalits live in villages making it practically one ethnic language to the status of official language impossible for them to benJfit from thlse institutions. endows great benefits and advantage on those whose @eddy L.V:2004:1 I t). English medium schools in tndia Ianguage it is, it also places discriminatory burden on are become as the monopoly of the rich, and the others on the basis of empowerment (Raj: 1969:15). students ofthese schools develop proficiency in English Independent India opted Hindi and English as official and capture all betterjobs being good at English. The languages and it did not give national language status poor and lower castes were relegated to govemment to any ofthe Indian languages. This lack of demarcation schools (regional medium) where English proficiency makes confusion between duties ofnational and official is less (Thorat : 2005:294). language (Das: 1970:37). This confusion is creating dead lock to English to go to people from government Dalit intellectuals have built.English Language policy (offi cial language policy implementation;. !e1gle" in UP to promote English language irmong Dalits for their empowermentT. They look upon English Oflicial language poticy impact on Dalit accessing as the language of emancipation. Dalit activists argue English that English not just opens up job opportunities, but In contemporary India English language is imagined also helps ease the caste and power constraints that as: library language, a link language, a language of come with speaking regional languagess. Onee -a enslavement, a language of liberation and liberaliim, a Ambedkaralso compared English to the milk of lioness, language of modemity and developmen! a transactional and said those who drink it become strongere. Savitribai
"vehicular", 1 language of geographical mobility,
Phule stressed the importance ofEnglish and education
money (Graddol:2010:64). Everyone in India is dependent on English as an instrumental official
through her poemsro. Times of India reports say that "Dalits see English as social leveler,,. Now, the Dalits want to learn English more, which they feel will have
Ianguage of social mobility, a language which brings
language for their daily basis works. English is the major Ianguage used in the proceedings'oi the Houses of Indian Parliament, courts and policy making levelss.
Different institutions like bank, postal, railway departments also have adapted and increased in usage of English. Magazines of science and technolo gy
i"
colrrolled by €nglish language. Internet usages, Automated Teller lr,Iachine (ATM) usages, Road symbols, Medicine ingredients and usage directions, government advertisements are in English. In this context, knowing6the language of Engliih is becomes one of the criteria for public participation in social, economic and political spaces. This dominant role of English through its accessible to Dalits provides the scope for their empowerments in Indian caste system.
.
way for equality and freedom lle discrimination
from age-old
and suffering (Nath: 2007:215). Dalit organizations also support English language for Dalits, empowennent. But In India, access to English language education is predominantly possible only tt
r*g,
pduut
institutionstt. It is the responsibility of government to impart English language education at larger level, considering the inability ofparents to afford it. Official language policy implementation has a genuine responsibility to accomplish this task. But there is no such policy implementation in this direction. This assumes more significance in the juncture wherein English language learners have the opportunity to improve their social and economic statui-by virnre of English language competence whereas Dalits are deprived ofthese opportunities. In this context official
42
WmldRocus April}A13i
language policy implementation has impact on
acc-essiirg-English.
Dalit
on:27.0r.20ll,http://www.nias.helsinki filpdf-files/vol2numl/
|}:}jr'$Iffi#[*,
concrusion
,,rhe position or English in National
ii:u:"'#.1T;J,'ffTi ltl6i',1ll,;',1:il:fl[",ffi";#
. Time: 5pm In Indiathe duties ofthe promoters ofnational languags NElTA/article/download/343112977 criticar '*Y":,"JJ;i.t'007) Darit Literature: on the basis of the official language policy is exp"ectJd to be fortheir sincere implementation. Butthe concept (1969). National communication and Language Policy in India, Frederic A. Praeger Publishers, United States of Of national language always moves against English. leads English language to stay at private hands. r^a-
I:li"fffi,'Jffil il;ffi;'i"rar It To America'
i.'"r*
rr,ilprobleri',
th-e
follow clear demarcation
n
pori.v^Ty.l Hl,l] ';H"iXil1lT,?r?r":.1:1,:f'*,fi:04)' Education ror between national and official sr,u.rn suresrr k. (zooo). i*guuge in contemporary India vol.2,
omciairanguage
langUage. If the demarcation comes to exist from the Vista International Publishing House, Delhi. (2005)' Reservation and Private ; ofrciat tanguage policy implementation, it will help to Thorat'sukhadeo. Prasad Negi Opportunitv and Growth' Rawat publication' New spread English from govemment policies which can 35;i."'Eqgal
It will make the benefits of official language (English language) to Dalits because Foot Notes: I pdf; accessed rnuka barrier between have http:i/wwwsusdiv.org/uploadfiles/M1'2-PP-Durk go*an*""tpoliai"a "rorrot and have-nots. It will help to Dalits in all social :1i.1,3:',T"t?.'Lti;l[l,*,llrage and the constitution: rhe
reach the poor.
participation.
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Half-Hearted Compromise , Asha Sarangi (ed'), In: Language and Politics in Indi4 Oxford Univeisity Press, New Delhi. Department of Official Language Compilation of Orders Regarding th! Us9 of Hindi' From January l989to June 2005' Department of Ministry of Home Affairs' New Delhi' pp'24' offrcial .Langue' aAccording.to this formula' the student learns his mother-tongue Hindi as the national language and English as as regional f*g"ug"' the-intemational language' See s'K Kochhar (1984)' Pivotal issues
in Indian Education' Sterling publishers private limited' New Delhi'p'317' 5 http://www'lisindia'net/English/Eng-use html; accessed'on ll
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***.";i;.;a.;;;; ERlCWebPortal/recordDetail? accno:ED2l6273. Graddol,David (2010). English next India, British council, India' King, Robert D. (1997). Nehru and the Language p"fiti.r'"fliJ*, oxford University Press, New Delhi. Education, accessed
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Today
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Focus India&WestAsia India&Neighbours
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IndiaandAfrica special Issue: India's Foreign Policv r rr-r--J rrrr
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Contributors Profile Prof. Sushma
Dr. Nidhi
Yadav
Yadav
Professor of Public Policy
&
Governance and also the Chair
Professor of Dr. Ambedkar Chair in Social Justice at Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi
Research Officer at Dr. Ambedkar Chair in Social Justice, IIPA New Delhi A. K. Biswas, IAS (Retd.) FormerVice-Chancellor,B.R.AmbedkarUniversity,Muzaffarpur, Bihar and Retired Home Secretary Bihar Kush Kalra DoingLL.M atPatlala,Punjab Priyanka Barupal RGNUL,Patiala,Punjab Prof. A. P. Pandey Professor, D"prrt*"rit of Economics, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, U.P. Raghunath Prasad Saket Asst. Professor, Dept. of Economics, Satyawati College, D.U. DrAnil Kumar Mohapatra Asst. Professoq Dept. of Political Science, Utkal University Prof. Anirudh Prasad JRD Tata Chair Professor, Professor Rural Management, Xavier Institute of Social Servioe, Ranchi M. Sabur AIi Ph.D Scholar, Department of Political Science, University of Delhi Dr. Hari Mohan Sharma Associate Professor in Pol. Science, Satyawati College (Eve), D.U. Ravinder Goel Associate Professor in Commerce at Satyawati College (Eve.), D.U. Ashutosh Kumar Vishal Research Scholar, Dr.K.R.Nar ayananCentre for Dalit & Minorities Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia University (JMI) Dr. Shri Prakash Singh Associate Professor in Pol. Science, Sri Aurobindo College, D.U. Dr. Anuradha Mukherjee Associate Professor, Department of International Relations, Jadavpur University, Kolkata 'Asst. Professor Dr. Deepak Yadav' in Pol. Science, Kalindi College, University ofDelhi Dr. Chittaranjan MaIIik Asst. Professor in Bagnan College, Howrah, West Bengal Dr:, Vinod Khobragaie Asst. Professor, Department of Sociology & Political Science, ' Dayalbagh Educational Institute (Deemed University), Dayalbagh, Agra, U.P. Dr. Biswaranjan Mohanty Assistant Professor at SGTB Khalsa College, University of Delhi Janmejay Sahu Ph.D Scholar, Dept. of Political Science, University ofHyderabad Dr. Suresh Chandra Patel Assistant Professor in P. G Dept. of Political Science, Sambalpur \ University, Odisha Dr. Shailaia Menon Assistant Professor, School of Liberal Studies, Ambedkar University, Government of NCT of Delhi
Dr'rndiraAthaware Dr.
Rajkumar
Dr. Parsanjeet
Kumal
tffi:fl:,';:s';:t#"x:::"*Tr?"ilffi1::fffll,::.;[:", Maharashtra Associate Professor, Political Science, Dyal Singh College, Delhi
University Principal, Mangalmay Institute ofManagement& Technology, Greater Noida, U.P.
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