Shumaim Sohail
One of the challenges faced by youth today is that of lingual identity, stuck in between the two main languages currently used in Pakistan. Though the 1973 constitution clearly states that the national language of Pakistan is Urdu, still much of day-to-day communication and academic activities are conducted in English. There is no doubt regarding the vitality of knowing English, as English is the language used at a global level, but just focusing on English to forget the proper usage of Urdu. Urdu is slowly fading away, though unconsciously from the minds of the younger generation, but our identification as Pakistani demands us to be proud speakers of our national language. Youngsters feel proud in flaunting their English accents, but if asked about a few words in Urdu they immediately dodge such questions. We have a meager level of understanding of Urdu because it has been treated as a secondary language. Urdu is not only a language that can be studied just by preparing grammar for examinations or by reading a few articles by famous Urdu writers. The learning of a language continues throughout one’s lifetime. Language plays a huge role in nation-building and the promulgation of national ideas. The language of the people, affects their emotional understanding and the message can be conveyed easily, we see that political leaders always choose Urdu to communicate with the masses. In the words of Noah Webster,’’ national language is the band of the national union”
The national union in Pakistan being threatened by many factors, one of which is the crisis of languages. The usage of English is becoming more and more popular even when people are talking informally. There are many other languages Pashto, Punjabi, Balochi, Sindhi, Saraiki, and Potohari just to name a few that are used in daily conversations but they’re gradually being replaced by English. This is an alarming situation if looked at closely where people have started moving away from their roots and have been found inclined to the idea of losing lingual identity. Urdu can be called clearly as the language that gives Pakistanis their distinct identity. When any nation turns away from its own roots, its destruction lies near in sight. The cultural shift through active media propagation resulted quite well by forcing the practices of the Western world. Now the same active propagation of speaking Urdu as a shame and sign of being less educated can be seen. Being good in spoken English, regardless of having actual knowledge depth and conceptual clarity of the topic makes one shine out.
Young people are mostly affected by such a mentality and are striving to converse in English to gain acceptance by the new norms of society. This culture is seen in educational institutions as well where children are sometimes forced to speak English. This is a good step in order to improve their English skills, however, the institutions should not forget that their students being well-spoken in the Urdu language is equally important. English medium education should not bind students to learn all subjects in English, they should also be taught the Urdu content of the same topic so that they’re aware of the subjects in their national language. many English terms have infiltrated Urdu, which has led to an easier version of Urdu being used in daily conversations. Educational institutions of Pakistan bear this responsibility of promoting their national language, rather than playing a role in the endangerment of it.
Students these days face immense difficulty in understanding even the basic poetry and prose in Urdu, while on the other hand, they are perfectly comfortable reading literature works of authors such as Oscar Wilde, Jane Austen, William Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, Geoffrey Chaucer, etc. This clearly illustrates how the students have been pushed away from national language and literature. A large part of our heritage is left unexplored as we become less and less interested in the timeless works of Urdu writers. This shows how we as Pakistanis are losing our identity and our culture. Ending the identity of a nation does not require physically fighting with them, sometimes just wiping off their unique aspects of values, traditional practices, language, and culture is more than enough to plunge them into a crisis of identity. they have become perplexed due to the lingual dilemma; of whether to choose English or Urdu. In accordance with scientific research understanding of subjects can be best developed in the mother tongue, English is the secondary language which should be learned as a ‘language’ ’Not all the subjects should be taught in English. The reason for students being weak in Urdu is the English curriculum of all the other subjects. In the words of Rita Mae Brown, “Language is the roadmap of a culture; it tells you where its people come from and where they are going.”
The shame that is concealed by people who are not fluent in English creates an environment where people are afraid to grow, come out of their comfort zones, and improve themselves. Those who are fluent in speaking English usually mock the ones who are not which gives rise to an unhealthy competition based only on English, not including any other aspects of education. Young people now feel ashamed when they are sitting together and discuss topics in Urdu rather than English. there is the constant fear of being judged by peers, and the pressure of proving intellectual skills just by English proficiency. Younger children have been impacted to an even higher level where they clearly state that they hate Urdu. Their content intake also comprises only English cartoons and rhymes etc. This development of sentiment of hatred against their own national language is very concerning. The future rests in the hands of youth, and if the youth is ashamed of its language, its culture then there can not much high hopes for the future.
Parents play a huge role in this case as well. Nowadays parents start talking to their children in English at a very young age so they can ensure that their child doesn’t not fall behind from others. This makes children believe that Urdu is unimportant and English is the superior language. The remnant of colonialism flashes in front of us and mocks at us. English is very important, there is no doubt in that but the national language and its protection is vital to the survival of the nation. we need to bring a change in the thinking patterns of society, and this depends on the youth to first build their narratives on personal understanding. Once the youth break free from this mindset of lingual dilemma, they can ensure that the coming generations are well-equipped in both languages for all the challenges that will come their way.
