VOA慢速英语2014 语言的政治—印度语还是英语?

 

AS IT IS 2014-07-12 Hindi or English? The Politics of Language 语言的政治—印度语还是英语?

Choosing an official national language can be difficult, at times even dangerous.  This is especially true for countries that have many languages and a colonial¹ past.  Like India, for example. 

In India, deciding whether to use English or Hindi includes issues of social standing², history, nationalism and even geography.  It is a socio-political- geo-lingua debate.  It is the Politics of Language.  

Hindi or English

The question of whether to use English or Hindi is filled with India’s colonial history and class struggle.  And India is again debating the issue.  New government leadership is moving toward making Hindi the official language of government communications.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi prefers to use Hindi.  Since taking office, Mr. Modi uses mostly Hindi when speaking in parliament and with Indian officials or foreign leaders.

Neerja Chowdhury is an independent political analyst³. She says Mr. Modi is the son of a poor tea seller.  He has “come through the ranks,” or worked his way up in life. 

“But Mr. Modi, he is representing a different India.  He has also come through the ranks, you know, ((and through)) his humble⁴ beginnings, and he has made his way up.  So this is the language of comfort for him in so far as expression goes.”

No one questions the prime minister’s personal language choice.  However, many criticize his plan to make English second to Hindi when it comes to the working language of government.

Hindi is widely spoken in the north.  The north is also the power center of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. The southern and eastern states in India have always chosen among local languages or English.  About fifty years ago, efforts to make Hindi the country’s only official language caused violent riots⁵ in the south.

Perhaps wanting to avoid repeating that mistake, Prime Minister Modi showed that he has no problem with the English language.  After watching the launch of a satellite in the southern Andhra Pradesh state, Mr. Modi surprised many by making his first speech in English since becoming prime minister.  

“My congratulations to brilliant space scientists and the Department of Space for yet another successful launch of the Polar satellite.”

Some political observers say that was an intelligent move to calm the south, where many of the scientists call home.  But officials in New Delhi continue to be under pressure to use Hindi.  And many are clearly unhappy about that.

India’s upper middle class includes many senior, or top, government officials.  They grew up mostly speaking English in their homes and in school.

They can speak Hindi.  But their written communication skills are often poor.  So, to keep in step with the Prime Minister, many are trying to quickly improve their Hindi.    

But critics say it is English that connects this diverse country.  Neerja Chowdhury says it is a question of progress in today’s widening world.

“The world is moving on. Look at the way the Chinese are learning English.  And why should we give up a natural advantage that we have had all these years?”

The debate will most likely continue as Prime Minister Modi and the BJP try to establish a Hindu nationalist party with a growing middle class.  And these people may not know English as well as they know Hindi. 

1 colonial   

adj.殖民地的，关于殖民的；n.殖民地，居民

参考例句：

• The natives were unwilling to be bent by colonial power.土著居民不愿受殖民势力的摆布。
• The people of Africa have successfully fought against colonial rule.非洲人民成功地反抗了殖民统治。

2 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

3 analyst   

n.分析家，化验员；心理分析学家

参考例句：

• What can you contribute to the position of a market analyst?你有什么技能可有助于市场分析员的职务？
• The analyst is required to interpolate values between standards.分析人员需要在这些标准中插入一些值。

4 humble   

adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低

参考例句：

• In my humble opinion,he will win the election.依我拙见，他将在选举中获胜。
• Defeat and failure make people humble.挫折与失败会使人谦卑。

5 riots   

n. 暴乱, 骚乱, 暴动 vi. 骚乱, 闹事

参考例句：

• the instigators of the riots 煽动骚乱的人
• The riots are a clear manifestation of the people's discontent. 骚乱清楚地表明了人们的不满情绪。