In fact, we have to thank the British for leaving behind a language legacy. Being an erstwhile colony, we have effortlessly caught up with this foreign language. Wherever French, Danish, or Portuguese ruled us (Pondicherry, Goa, etc.), we have automatically learned their lingua franca.
Generally speaking, there shouldn't be hatred towards any language. After all, we are going to learn a new language, not going to consume poison. How many of us are well-versed in regional languages? Not all. Besides the mother tongue, in the current day of globalization, one has to be equipped with at least two foreign languages like English, French, German, or Mandarin.
The entire population that prefers to stay inland for a job can hold on to their mother tongue. Others with overseas dreams shall make a little effort to learn a "videshi" language.
Even after 50 years from now, our people will continue to quarrel over English or Hindi. "Let those who have mouths shout, let those who have ears hear them."
Regards,
Chandru
From India, Madras
41Generally speaking, there shouldn't be hatred towards any language. After all, we are going to learn a new language, not going to consume poison. How many of us are well-versed in regional languages? Not all. Besides the mother tongue, in the current day of globalization, one has to be equipped with at least two foreign languages like English, French, German, or Mandarin.
The entire population that prefers to stay inland for a job can hold on to their mother tongue. Others with overseas dreams shall make a little effort to learn a "videshi" language.
Even after 50 years from now, our people will continue to quarrel over English or Hindi. "Let those who have mouths shout, let those who have ears hear them."
Regards,
Chandru
From India, Madras
Hi All, English is basic language for bussiness worl for that * Confidant about speaking *Use normal use words day today activities Regards, Sushil Talwelkar 9689927112
From India, Mumbai
From India, Mumbai
Hi Sangeeta,
Once Swami Vivekananda was traveling by train. Two foreigners in the same bay were speaking ill about Swami and Indians. At the end of their conversation, Swami replied in English, and those two foreigners were ashamed and apologetic. The same happened in his speech delivered in the USA, which became the gateway to India. You must convince them by sharing these stories that proficiency in the English language is beneficial for employees. It helps to overcome obstacles and gain access to vast knowledge. Proceed in this direction, and your employees will realize your sincerity.
Thank you and regards,
Sreejith Menon
Personnel Manager
From India, Vadodara
Once Swami Vivekananda was traveling by train. Two foreigners in the same bay were speaking ill about Swami and Indians. At the end of their conversation, Swami replied in English, and those two foreigners were ashamed and apologetic. The same happened in his speech delivered in the USA, which became the gateway to India. You must convince them by sharing these stories that proficiency in the English language is beneficial for employees. It helps to overcome obstacles and gain access to vast knowledge. Proceed in this direction, and your employees will realize your sincerity.
Thank you and regards,
Sreejith Menon
Personnel Manager
From India, Vadodara
Thank you, Sharad, for beautifully rendering what I had in my mind. I am working in an Arab country where the sounds and pronunciations of most Indian languages, especially those of South Indian languages, are supposedly very peculiar and annoying. However, I have never had any problem when I speak with my colleagues of my languages in front of Arabs and Europeans. Unfortunately, I have experienced the intolerance of my Indian colleague of a different language. It is disheartening that we are narrow-minded and do not appreciate other cultures and languages. We are still slaves to English.
Dear Sikhaji,
With love,
I am not against 'English' or any other language. I am against the compulsion of using a particular language, specifically English, in Maharashtra. Raj Thackeray is proposing only Marathi language, and one MLA was beaten up because he took an oath in Hindi in the assembly. This is ridiculous, and I am against such compulsion.
I do agree that English is an important and international language that connects people in most parts of the world. It has great significance in higher studies and business. I also endorse the idea that one must learn English.
My concern is making English a compulsory language for communication in corporate offices. I am also highlighting the mindset of Indians, who are impressed by the English language without considering the content. You will agree that many parents get overwhelmed when their child says "WATER" instead of "PANI". This shows our slave mindset, nothing else.
Dear Sikhaji, we are all here from different regions and states of India, and we all communicate in English. There may be some mistakes here and there, but most of us are comfortable communicating with other members. I also write here in English. How can I be against English? My concern is something else. I hope you will understand my views.
Secondly, you mentioned that "Phobia" is not the proper word used in my earlier write-up. Thank you for drawing my attention; you may correct it if you have the right word for it.
His Blessings,
Sharad Shah
From India, Ahmadabad
With love,
I am not against 'English' or any other language. I am against the compulsion of using a particular language, specifically English, in Maharashtra. Raj Thackeray is proposing only Marathi language, and one MLA was beaten up because he took an oath in Hindi in the assembly. This is ridiculous, and I am against such compulsion.
I do agree that English is an important and international language that connects people in most parts of the world. It has great significance in higher studies and business. I also endorse the idea that one must learn English.
My concern is making English a compulsory language for communication in corporate offices. I am also highlighting the mindset of Indians, who are impressed by the English language without considering the content. You will agree that many parents get overwhelmed when their child says "WATER" instead of "PANI". This shows our slave mindset, nothing else.
Dear Sikhaji, we are all here from different regions and states of India, and we all communicate in English. There may be some mistakes here and there, but most of us are comfortable communicating with other members. I also write here in English. How can I be against English? My concern is something else. I hope you will understand my views.
Secondly, you mentioned that "Phobia" is not the proper word used in my earlier write-up. Thank you for drawing my attention; you may correct it if you have the right word for it.
His Blessings,
Sharad Shah
From India, Ahmadabad
I agree with Mr. Sharad Shah's comment. I think putting pressure on employees to speak English is of no use. In front of you, they talk in English; again, in your absence, they talk in their own language. I am also working for a software company. We don't have any restrictions like this. Even at the board meeting or management level meeting, sometimes we talk in Hindi or the local language.
Regards,
N S Anand
From India, Bangalore
Regards,
N S Anand
From India, Bangalore
Let me clear your confusion and objection first.
I am a 58-year-old, having a happy family with a loving wife, two sons, and both recently married. So do not think of "Love" as something thrown from a young boy to a young girl. When I use the word "Love," it means love extended to the entire humanity, irrespective of gender, caste, region, religion, age, or nationality.
My master taught me to love everyone who comes into my contact, in whatever form they may be. This is my way of saluting the other soul and expressing my love towards every soul. My master used to say, "How bad you are is not my concern, as God has accepted you and qualified you to be born on this planet, so who am I to reject you and not shower love upon you?" Shikhaji, I wish you and all humans to experience "Love," which is not dependent on others but simply a flowering within.
I can understand your difficulty, as the word "Love" is often used to hide "Lust," express "Likings," or pretend and cheat others.
Anyway, if you have any reservations, you may instruct me not to use words like "Dear" or "Love," and I will stop using them. I also convey here to the other members to write to me if they have any objections. Please note that I do not intend to hurt anybody here. I would be happy if I could contribute a little from the experiences of my outer as well as inner journey of this life.
His Blessings,
Sharad Shah
From India, Ahmadabad
I am a 58-year-old, having a happy family with a loving wife, two sons, and both recently married. So do not think of "Love" as something thrown from a young boy to a young girl. When I use the word "Love," it means love extended to the entire humanity, irrespective of gender, caste, region, religion, age, or nationality.
My master taught me to love everyone who comes into my contact, in whatever form they may be. This is my way of saluting the other soul and expressing my love towards every soul. My master used to say, "How bad you are is not my concern, as God has accepted you and qualified you to be born on this planet, so who am I to reject you and not shower love upon you?" Shikhaji, I wish you and all humans to experience "Love," which is not dependent on others but simply a flowering within.
I can understand your difficulty, as the word "Love" is often used to hide "Lust," express "Likings," or pretend and cheat others.
Anyway, if you have any reservations, you may instruct me not to use words like "Dear" or "Love," and I will stop using them. I also convey here to the other members to write to me if they have any objections. Please note that I do not intend to hurt anybody here. I would be happy if I could contribute a little from the experiences of my outer as well as inner journey of this life.
His Blessings,
Sharad Shah
From India, Ahmadabad
Dear Sharadji,
It has been customary for elders to begin a letter with the words 'Love and blessings'. Of course, this is followed only in non-business letters. There has always been a gap between two generations. LOVE has become a cheap word in the present-day context. It is viewed as if one can love a person only if he/she is related emotionally or genetically.
Haha... GURU, the one whose duty is to clear darkness 'Gu-Ru', is himself pushed to the dark through visual distortion of youngsters. It takes years for them to understand. Sir, your valuable words are sure to have a strong positive impact on our members here. It's true all are longing for it to catch up to keep the journey going. Your words remind me of the message often conveyed by Mother Teresa.
Regards,
Chandru
From India, Madras
It has been customary for elders to begin a letter with the words 'Love and blessings'. Of course, this is followed only in non-business letters. There has always been a gap between two generations. LOVE has become a cheap word in the present-day context. It is viewed as if one can love a person only if he/she is related emotionally or genetically.
Haha... GURU, the one whose duty is to clear darkness 'Gu-Ru', is himself pushed to the dark through visual distortion of youngsters. It takes years for them to understand. Sir, your valuable words are sure to have a strong positive impact on our members here. It's true all are longing for it to catch up to keep the journey going. Your words remind me of the message often conveyed by Mother Teresa.
Regards,
Chandru
From India, Madras
Language , Communication, Mannerisms A Middle Path
After going thru the posts on this thread and understanding different views, I would like to share my views:
Thanks & Regards
From India, Pune
After going thru the posts on this thread and understanding different views, I would like to share my views:
- We have all accepted English as a language of Written Business Communication, though oral business communication does happens in different languages and it will continue to happen.
- Our oral communication tends to be in a language we are most comfortable in. We need not insist that oral communication also has to be in English only.
- Unlike other countries, locally we speak many languages and this diversity of languages does create communication problems.
- Language is medium of communication and one tends to use the language in which one is most comfortable, often ignoring the fact that, whether other person is also as comfortable in that particular language or not.
- But when we are communicating in any of vernacular language we need to make sure that, all the parties in communication are able to fully understand that particular language. Otherwise switch to a language known to all participants.
- Seniors or Managers conducting meeting first need to understand the importance of using commonly understood language in communication and also need to discipline their juniors to follow the same principal.
- Seniors also need to understand that speaking in a language not known to all in a group is bad manners. There are meetings within meeting happening in different linguistic groups often leading to miscommunication and atmosphere of mistrust.
- To conclude: Make it known to all employees that communicating in a language not known to everybody in a group is Bad Mannerism and employer can always train and discipline it�s employees to follow good manners and good business practices.
- At the same time there need not be insistence on usage of English alone. Any commonly known language should be acceptable.
Thanks & Regards
From India, Pune
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