Struggling with the lasting attractiveness of English, India confronts the question of its historical influence or linguistic advantage
In the south of India, English and regional languages like Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada are cherished as symbols of local identity and autonomy. However, the current political landscape in India, under the leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has sparked a debate about the role of English in the country.
While Prime Minister Modi rarely delivers speeches in English, preferring Hindi for national addresses, English continues to hold significant importance in India. It is widely used in education, business, the legal system, and as a neutral language for inter-state communication across India’s linguistically diverse population.
The BJP government, under Prime Minister Modi, has promoted Hindi aggressively, seeking to raise its prominence, especially in non-Hindi-speaking states. This push has sparked language tensions and concerns about the imposition of Hindi at the expense of other languages.
However, the role of English as a politically neutral and economically beneficial language is emphasized by many researchers and analysts. With only about 10.6% of the population speaking English according to the 2011 census, there is an urgent need to expand English education to improve employability. A two-language policy is often advocated: native mother tongues dominate cultural and public spaces within states, while English serves as the language of commerce, cooperation, and global connectivity.
The future prospects for English in India include continued importance as a link language connecting India’s diverse linguistic groups without favouring any one regional language politically. English's demand is sustained by globalisation, information technology, international trade, and education, where English proficiency offers distinct advantages. English also acts as an enabler for Indian languages to gain global reach through translation and access to international audiences, as seen in literature and academic research.
Despite the BJP's Hindi promotion and rhetoric suggesting that English speakers may "feel ashamed" of their language use, English is unlikely to be replaced or diminished significantly in the near future given its entrenched role in India’s economic and social fabric.
The debate about national identity and language is complex, with the BJP emphasizing Hindi as part of a majoritarian cultural nationalism, while many states and communities resist this imposition to protect their linguistic diversity. This creates ongoing disputes and political tension, requiring dialogue and compromises between the central government and state governments. Some analysts argue that abandoning the pursuit of a single national language in favour of linguistic pluralism paired with English for commerce and cooperation may better serve India’s demographic dividend and economic ambitions.
In summary, English remains an indispensable, politically neutral, and economically vital language in India. While the BJP’s Hindi-first policy intensifies cultural-linguistic debates, English’s broad functional role and demand suggest it will continue to thrive alongside India’s multitude of regional languages in the foreseeable future.
- The role of English in India's education system, as a neutral language for business and the legal system, and as a link language for communication among India's diverse population is emphasized by many researchers and analysts.
- English's demand is sustained by globalization, information technology, international trade, and education, where English proficiency offers distinct advantages in employment opportunities.
- Despite the BJP's promotion of Hindi and rhetoric suggesting that English speakers may "feel ashamed" of their language use, English is unlikely to be replaced or diminished significantly in the near future given its entrenched role in India’s economic and social fabric.
