LANGUAGE IN INDIA

Strength for Today and Bright Hope for Tomorrow

Volume 22:11 November 2022
ISSN 1930-2940

Editors:
         Sam Mohanlal, Ph.D.
         B. Mallikarjun, Ph.D.
         A. R. Fatihi, Ph.D.
         G. Baskaran, Ph.D.
         T. Deivasigamani, Ph.D.
         Pammi Pavan Kumar, Ph.D.
         Soibam Rebika Devi, M.Sc., Ph.D.

Managing Editor & Publisher: M. S. Thirumalai, Ph.D.

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Socio-Political Origins of Linguistic Inequality in Indian Education

Neema Chaurasiya, Ph.D. Scholar

Abstract

The paper delves into the origins for Linguistic Inequality in India which persists despite various efforts to support multilingualism especially in the context of education. It enquires into the socio-political and theoretical basis for the present situation of language use in educational context.

It begins by examining some theories of linguistic analysis with their strengths and shortcomings, and then demonstrates how some of these can assist in understanding the complex linguistic situation and resulting marginalization of languages and associated communities in a multilingual set up such as India.

A generalized theory of language synthesizing different perspectives is elusive till now, but appropriating the structure of power hierarchies, derived from the usage of language in social context by sociologist Pierre Bourdieu, I’ve tried to make sense of the issue dominant languages in a multilingual set up and how these interact with the socio-political discourse of power. Analysing the linguistic situation from this socio-linguistic theoretical framework and touching upon the interaction of education and other ‘significant domains’ through brief outlines from the constituent assembly debates, the constitution itself and subsequent educational policies and their implementation, I’ve attempted to arrive at a basis for the inequality that we witness today in Indian education in terms of language.

Keywords: Linguistic Inequality, Education and Multilingualism, Language and Education.

Language used as means of communication comes laden with several other functions; it is a repository of cultural wealth and knowledge. Some scholars have argued that language constructs reality , while others have listed the structure of language as a major determining factor in shaping the perception and experience of its native speakers, such as the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis by American Linguists stating that structure of language determines or greatly influences the modes of thought and behaviour characteristic of the culture in which it is spoken. The latter idea is closely related to ‘Linguistic Determinism’ or ‘Linguistic Relativity’. “Language is not only a rule-governed system of communication but also a phenomenon that to a great extent structures our thought and defines our social relationships in terms of both power and equality.” (NCERT, 2006)

Elaborating upon the profound relationship between language and culture, and the role that they play in shaping an individual’s worldview, Ngugi wa Thiong'o (1986) states-

“Language as communication and as culture are then products of each other. Communication creates culture: culture is a means of communication. Language carries culture, and culture carries, particularly through orature and literature, the entire body of values by which we come to perceive ourselves and our place in the world.”

Thus, language and culture together play a crucial part in defining an individual’s identity and their role in the social context. Lyons says, “Language interpenetrates with almost all walks of life and varieties of experience. It does not exist ‘for its own sake’. Nor does it exist mainly for the sake of broadly referential communication.” (Lyons,1968, p. 3). Language thus can be analysed from a thousand different lenses depending upon where one stands whilst looking at it. Language and its development have therefore been studied in various ways by several scholars belonging to different fields of enquiry.

This is only the beginning part of the article. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE IN PRINTER-FRIENDLY VERSION.

Neema Chaurasiya, Ph.D. Scholar
Department of Education
University of Delhi
chaurasiya.neema@gmail.com

Address for correspondence:
CIE, Dept. of Education
33, Chattra Marg
North Campus University of Delhi
Delhi -110007
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