[lg policy] Sri Lanka: Overcoming the language barrier

[Harold Schiffman]

Overcoming the language barrier

A scheme is under way to impart Sinhala and Tamil language skills to
elected local Government officials and staff in 11 local government
bodies in the Eastern Province. The project sponsored by USAID is
aimed at closer interaction with multi-ethnic communities to foster
better understanding and improve service. According to USAID Mission
Director Rebecca Cohn "When Sinhala officials learn Tamil and Tamil
officials learn Sinhala it sends an important message and demonstrates
their commitment to serving all ethnic groups". More often than not it
had been the practice for elected representatives in multi-ethnic
communities to serve only their community. Learning each others
languages may now blur these lines of demarcation making the elected
serve all communities across the board. Of course, it would take time
for the results to show on the ground. But making people familiar with
each other's language is an effective remedy for unity.

Without doubt the language issue had been one of the key factors which
estranged the two communities. It was an expedient exploited to the
hilt by power hungry politicians of all hues. Isn't it paradoxical now
that politicians themselves are being used albeit unwittingly to undo
the damage they caused, by bringing about an amalgam through learning
the very languages that was the bone of contention. The sponsors could
not have done better than to start the program targeting elected
representatives who are but a microcosm of the general electorate. It
is bound to have an influence on the general population and help speed
up the unifying process. Through this improved means of communication
it is also hoped that all enmities and entrenched prejudices are set
aside in the multi-ethnic East and showcase it as an epitome of
co-existence.

While all attention is paid towards improving the standard of English
and rightly so it is indeed refreshing to note this step taken by an
international agency to foster teaching of Sinhala and Tamil with a
view to improve interaction among the two main communities. Had such
initiatives been taken by our rulers from the very inception, it could
have helped avert the volcano that was to erupt later and consume the
country in flames. It is interesting to note that ethnic harmony is
most pronounced in the localities with a cosmopolitan background where
the people speak each other's languages and communicate with ease.

For example, in the densely populated Colombo metropolitan where there
is a heavy mix of both Sinhala and Tamils, tensions are much less than
in locales where the language barrier is most pronounced. This shows
the power of language as a unifying force. The scheme specially
targeting the Eastern Province is significant. This is an area where
at one time the entire community was shut-off from the national
mainstream. Even the few Sinhala schools that existed were forced to
put up shutters and the region brought under the hegemony of a single
language. Thus a whole generation were shut-off from the Sinhala
language, its culture and ethos.

Hopefully, the new program started to teach Sinhala and Tamil
languages to elected representatives in the East would prove a
catalyst towards the strengthening of bonds between the different
communities united in a single language of brotherhood and love and
provide a stepping stone to the much looked forward to unity. The
Government too should step up implementing the national language
policy in earnest where Government servants proficient in both Sinhala
and Tamil are singled out for special incentives and promotions.

We say this because despite the genuine efforts made, there are still
complaints by sections of Tamils that official correspondence are sent
to them in Sinhala. The problem is worse at certain Police stations
where there is no officer to record complaints in Tamil creating its
own complications. The problem is acute in the Estates. Learning each
other's languages between the Sinhala and Tamils cannot come at a
better time when the country has been united under one banner. This is
the ideal time for the two communities to get to know each other
better and cultivate mutual understanding. Learning each other's
languages would also help the healing process and above all help
create a firm foundation for national reconciliation.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa during his victory speech in Parliament
spoke of a single people and a single community. What better way to
reinforce this other than by closing the communication gap - by
learning each other's languages.

http://www.dailynews.lk/2009/08/26/main_Editorial.asp

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