English eclipsing Indian languages?

TERMING THE increasing impact of English as a great danger for various Indian languages, Prof AK Mohanti of Jawahar Lal Nehru University, New Delhi said here on Tuesday that in this era of globalisation, the existence of 80 per cent Indian languages was in danger, as English was emerging as the pioneer among languages in the world.

TERMING THE increasing impact of English as a great danger for various Indian languages, Prof AK Mohanti of Jawahar Lal Nehru University, New Delhi said here on Tuesday that in this era of globalisation, the existence of 80 per cent Indian languages was in danger, as English was emerging as the pioneer among languages in the world.

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Delivering his views at a seminar titled ‘Mother tongue and other tongue in Education’ in the Conference Hall of DDU Gorakhpur University here, Prof Mohanti underlined the complexity of the languages in India and said the entire educational system would soon be covered by English which would reduce the chances of promoting the mother tongue. Mohanti voiced concern that even guardians were not interested in teaching their native language to their wards and were enrolling them in English medium schools. He clarified that he was not against English but research had proved that a child learnt more easily and quickly in his mother tongue in comparison to other languages.

The seminar was organised as a part of the convocation of psychology department of the university. Head of the department of psychology, Prof Ashok Saxena also expressed his views on this occasion. Vice-chancellor Prof Arun Kumar presided over the seminar and said the significance of English language could not be ignored.

Meanwhile, DDU Gorakhpur University vice-chancellor Prof Arun Kumar inaugurated a painting exhibition at the university’s art gallery under the weeklong convocation programme.

Four dozen artists participated in it.