Baba
Suppression of local language is disastrous
Namaskar,
In the issue of Prout News and Analysis, a story on Mithila Samaj movement has been reported. In this news story, a demonstration rally by Mithila Samaj in Supol Bihar for incorporation of the local language Maithili in both government and non-government works has been reported. We know that today English is a de-facto standard then a question arises that whether such a movement for the promotion of a regional language is relevant.
Below image shows the details of the Mithila Samaj demonstration reported in the newsletter “Prout News and Analysis”. They are calling for the use of Maithili in government and non-governmental offices.
Above image shows the details of the Mithila Samaj demonstration reported in the newsletter Prout News and Analysis. They are calling for the use of Maithili in government and non-governmental offices.
Language used in offices should facilitate communication
Many people, especially the ones living in rural areas, do not have proper knowledge of English or Hindi. In the northern part of Bihar, a vast majority of people are comfortable in speaking Maithili but are not so in English or even in Hindi. Local people can communicate about their exploitation better in local regional language. If English or Hindi is enforced in those regions where some other regional language is used predominantly then people will experience difficulty in expressing their problems. In a foreign language, one will not be able to communicate even simple things like someone has thrown garbage at their doorsteps what to speak of complex issues related to exploitation in various spheres. If the language used in courts is English or Hindi then people will have to hire someone to write simple applications and spend a fortune for such a simple thing. Moreover, capturing and translating someone else’s plight may not be possible. Thus the ideal approach is to use regional language in courts and other offices to make them more approachable.
When people do not get the opportunity to express themselves then they develop an inferiority complex in their minds, and due to that they get exploited economically. Thus regional language should be used for all important works.
First language should be one’s mother tongue
One should be trained in one’s mother tongue and primary education should be provided in that language. One may learn other languages but the first language that one should learn should be his/her mother tongue. Also, the language should be used in all important offices.
States that promote local languages prosper
In India, the states of Punjab, Gujarat, and Maharashtra use local language in all official works. All the aforementioned states are doing very well on the economic front compared to Bihar where local languages are not used. People often feel a sense of shame in speaking their own mother tongue in the formal settings. Neglect of one’s mother tongue causes inferiority complex, and due to that they get exploited economically. Having one’s mother tongue in mainstream helps one in engaging with the society directly and with confidence which is a primary factor required for economic progress.
Inferiority complex can be treated with promotion of regional language
The inferiority complex caused by the neglect of regional language hinders the progress of the entire community. This can be dealt with only by widespread use of regional language. This will make people courageous, expressive, and involved. Prout movement can facilitate such promotion and this will help each and every community to develop; due to lack of this regional language usage they get exploited economically.
Need for a sama’j movement
Maithili has indeed gotten recognition as a language by the Government of India. Yet Maithili has not been accepted for use in government and non-government works, in the region in which it is spoken. Thus the language status it has gained is as though in name only; and for this reason, a demonstration was held. There are 22 Languages accepted by the Government of India as "languages". But according to samaj movements, there should be 48 languages. For example, in Bihar itself, the following major languages have not been given language status: Bhojpuri, Magahi, Angika, Nagpuria. Thus, to bring the neglected languages into the mainstream so that they can be used in official communication, sama’j movement is necessary. Due to the praca'r work of Prout and Proutist samaj movements, the outlook towards languages has changed in India, and progress has been made. Nonetheless, there is still a lot of work to be done both in the spheres of (1) Acquiring language status for languages not yet granted that status by the Indian government, and (2) Bringing local languages into use in government as well as non-government settings.
Conclusion
The inferiority complex caused by the neglect of the regional language can regress entire communities. To solve this problem Prout teaches that one should be given primary education in one’s mother tongue while an ample opportunity to learn other languages should also be available. Proutist sama’j movements have helped to change the outlook towards languages in India and a great deal of progress has been made. There is, however, still a lot of work remaining for acquiring language status for languages not yet granted that status by the Indian government and bringing local languages into use in government as well as non-government settings.
In Him
Samvit
Suppression of local language brings inferiority complex in the local people
The philosophy of Neo-Humanism, says, "The very purpose of injecting an inferiority complex is to exploit people on the psychic level, and this is exactly what happens in many spheres of social life. In some places you may notice some signboards written in a language not used by the local people. What is the purpose of putting up a signboard? It is just to give the local people certain information. If the letters are written in the language of the ruling exploiters and not in the language of the exploited – or if the local language is printed in small and humble letters underneath – what reaction will this create in the minds of the exploited? It is bound to generate an inferiority complex regarding their language and social position (the language of slaves is derogatorily called “vernacular” in English), and they will continue to suffer from this mental disease. Thus the ruling exploiters create indirect pressure on others’ minds so that their language maintains its high prestige and an inferior feeling arises in the minds of the people: “Ah! That is the language of the rulers!”..."
"If you analyse the history of the world, you will find that whenever one group exploited another in the economic sphere, they first created psychic exploitation by infusing inferiority complexes in the minds of the exploited mass. You will find that in each case of economic exploitation, psychic exploitation was the foundation: if you go deep into the background, you will discover a continuous and cunning attempt to create inferiority complexes in the minds of the exploited." (1)
How English, French, Dutch, Spanish, American exploited locals
Prout philosophy states, "The use of non-local languages as the medium of instruction only results in the suppression and subjugation of the local language and inevitably means the suppression of the local culture. This in turn leads to psychic demoralization, inferiority complexes and a defeatist mentality. Whenever the sentimental legacy of a group of people is undermined, they become easy prey to the economic, political and psycho-economic exploitation of vested interests. Such a strategy of cultural suppression was adopted by the English, French, Dutch, Spanish, American and other colonial powers. If local people develop a sublime awareness of their cultural heritage they can readily throw off all psychic inferiority complexes which prevent them from attaining socio-economic self-reliance." (2)
Related issues
Fallacy of “unity with one language”
The proponents of the idea that enforcing one language will bring unity provide the rationale that if all speak one language then the differences will reduce. For example, the Government of India has given Hindi a status of the official language with an intention that enforcing Hindi language will bring unity. There are numerous examples in the world where the aforementioned logic fails miserably. An example of the formation of United States of America can be taken in this regard. Although the people in British colonies in America spoke the same language as the people in Britain yet they had differences and that led to rebellion and consequently the formation of a new country. Thus, a common language does not bring unity. Another example is that of Pakistan and Punjab. Although the entire Punjab had one language, it got divided into to two parts with the creation of Pakistan. Likewise, entire Bengal had one language yet it got divided into two parts with the creation of Bangladesh. One language could not unify the people.
Local people can communicate about their exploitation better in local regional language. If English or Hindi is enforced in those regions where some other regional language is used predominantly then people will experience difficulty in expressing their problems. Thus, enforcing of a common language with an intention to bring unity is not only useless but also makes it difficult for the people who can speak only regional languages, and are often the majority of the population, to communicate their problems in government and other offices.
In govt offices local language is must
The Mithila Samaj demonstration, reported in the newsletter Prout News and Analysis. The issue of use of Maithili in government and non-governmental offices has been underlined with red color.
References
1. Liberation of Intellect - Neo-Humanism, Exploitation and Pseudo-Culture
2. A Few Problems Solved - 9, Socio-Economic Movements
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