India: New language formulas

[Harold Schiffman]

New language formulas



[image: Issue 13 - Apr
2008]<http://pragati.nationalinterest.in/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/pragati-issue13-april2008-communityed.pdf>

*Sujay Rao Mandavilli*

India's language policies have, therefore, not worked as intended. Clearly,
they cannot. Instead they have been producing a series of counter-reactions,
which historians may one day ponder over. If pushed through artificial
means, they can only further destabilise the country. A recurring proposal
to introduce Sanskrit as the neutral link language is not feasible because
the of the enormous effort involved, and also because Sanskrit is not as
neutral as is claimed by its proponents. But there are a number of
directions for a reform of India's language policies. A decentralised
approach is much likelier to work. Rather than impose Hindi, students could
be given the choice of opting for any living Indian language (normally their
mother tongue) in addition to the local language and English. Schools can
decide to introduce languages depending on demand. This approach will lead
to greater choice for students and a greater variety in the languages
learnt. The central government could set up a body to promote all Indian
languages without prejudice, set up libraries and research institutes all
over the country and translate international books particularly into all
Indian languages. It is time for the central government to institute a
committee to formulate a language policy for the twenty-first century India.

*This is an excerpt. Download the issue to read the entire article: **
http://pragati.nationalinterest.in/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/pragati-issue13-april2008-communityed.pdf
*
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-- http://pragati.nationalinterest.in/2008/04/new-language-formulas/
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