The Big Fight over language in India

This video illustrates the language debate in India. Currently, the Indian federal government operates in Hindi and English, while the regional governments conduct affairs in the main language (or languages) for that particular region. There are 22 officially recognized languages in India. And as a result of English imperialism in the past, and the current status of English as an international "link language," English is widely used in India, as well. This English video shows the debate among scholars and government officials concerning the following:

What is the status of English in India today and what should it be?

Should Hindi or English be the "link language" of India?

If Hindi is the language of business in India, then people from the South and other regions that don't use Hindi as their mother tongue are at a disadvantage. While using English as the link language puts all Indians at an equal disadvantage, thus promoting equality among the regions. And English gives Indians an edge on the global job market.

Does the use of English mean that Indians are giving up nationalism?

Are children losing their mother tongues in favor of English and/or Hindi?



What are your thoughts? Leave comments below.



Personally, I agree with the Tamil representative and the corporate representative. I think that if Hindi is put above the other Indian languages, it would encourage inequality. I think kids should be taught 1st mother tongue, 2nd English (to be able to compete on a global market) and then 3rd Hindi (to increase options in India). Learning more languages broadens your horizons and opens opportunities.