English is respectfully addressed as the Global Language. It is also the Link Language of the world. It is even the Richest Language among all world languages. But, it is just 1500 years old. In spite of its late coming, it has spread to every nook and corner. English is not a native language of India. Even then, it is one of the Official Languages of the country. The British had the honour of bringing their Language. In 1830’s English had been declared as the Medium of Instruction in all the Centres of Learning within the country. With the establishment of Universities in 1857, English had gained its national importance and popularity. The journey of English had been like a cake walk.
The age of English is almost the age of Islam. Both had their splendid origin in the later part of the 6th Century. One has conquered the world and the other has carved a golden niche in the hearts of Millions and Millions The English Missionaries started to arrive in India in 1810s. They planted the seeds of English on the soil of India. It was Lord Macaulay who transformed English into a Language of India. He made English compulsory in Schools and Universities. The impact was so powerful that almost all the Colleges and Universities had switched over to English Medium. And to-day, its impact has mesmerized the Language into the heart and soul of most of the Official Correspondence in the Country. Its influence is so magnetic in India that it has become the official Language of States like Meghalaya and Nagaland and so on.
Every language has its own pride of place. All languages are to be loved and respected. It is because language is the basis to strengthen the fraternal ties. This is why Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru had rightly said,
`If you want to pen a lynic, do it in Urdu,
If you want to deliver a speech, do it in Tamil,
If you want to draft a love-letter, do it in Telugu,
If two of you want to converse, do it in Kannada,
If you want to conquer the world, do it with English,’
And therefore, every language has its own beauty and importance.
Let us love all Languages.
Let us learn as many Languages as possible.
Let us get together by our Languages.
Let all Languages be bridges of connectivity and not walls of separation.
More so, it is with English.
Let us learn more English and more of English.
English is the link language of the world. It is a bridge that connects Countries and Continents. English has so many beauties of its own. They all have transformed it into the Global Language. Its vocabulary is rich. Its grammar is simple. It style is superb. It fits into any language. It wins respect to the Speaker. It gets him popularity. It is the window on the world. Its doors are always kept open. It is secular in spirit. It doesn’t segregate but only unites. It is not like a closed parachute. It is like an open umbrella. Standard books in all subjects are mainly in English.
Every country has its own language. But with the native language, no country can establish friendly ties with other countries. This is one reason why the Heads of Nations depend on the Translators. And most of this Official Transaction is carried through English. But exceptions are there like China or Japan. And therefore, Governments of even small islands have switched over to English. This helps them to strengthen their links with advanced countries like America, England, Australia and New Zealand. But, in spite of its popularity, English is not the largest spoken language in the world. It is the Third widely spoken language. Even then, it has its supremacy over all other languages. This supremacy has made English the Global Language.
Many of the Indian Languages are older than English. But, they have not crossed the frontiers of their own States. It is because we are not so patriotic as far as our Languages are concerned. We love the Country. We love our State. We love all People. We love our Language. But, we don’t try to make it more popular. But the British are a different set. Otherwise, Shakespeare would not have become the World’s most celebrated Writer. The natives of England conquered several other countries. They named them as Common Wealth Countries. They made English the like language of these countries. This was how English had become a language of the world. In course of time, it had attained the status of a Global Language. And as the Global Language, its role is amazing. It is dominating in all important segments like Science, Technology, Medicine, Politics, Humanities, Music and so on. English has paved way for the coming up of Global Markets. And thus, it has increased the wealth of the Nations.
Negotiations for establishment of peace across the Globe are transacted chiefly in English. And thus, English promotes peace and non-violence, all over the world. It is the Medium of all Higher Studies. It is enriching the world with students and scholars of exceptional merit. They all work for human progress and human advancement in all major spheres that are essential for life. English widens one’s knowledge by exposing him to the realms of more learning to gain more knowledge. Even an LKG student gets thrilled with his First Rhyme in English. So are his parents and teachers. Most of the Nobel Laureates deliver their Nobel Lecture only in English. Only then, the world comes to know of their amazing Inventions or Discoveries. And thus, the role of English as Global Language is like a multipetalled sunflower.
(Re)claiming English Language Today
