Hi Mandy,
You have triggered an interesting and relevant discussion on a topic that surfaces time and again. I would like to share my views on the points raised by you.
In my opinion, it is incorrect to say that corporates stress the proficiency of English for all their recruitment. The language skill is considered only on a need basis. For example, if a tradesman is to be recruited, his language proficiency is not given as much importance as his skill in his trade. Not knowing English does not automatically mean that a person is very fluent in his mother tongue. There are many who are not very adept even in their mother tongue, yet still do a good job and be successful.
I always maintain that communication is to be seen from two angles: the language part and the behavioral part. If you are interested, you may like to go through some of the postings on Cite HR. Many members have made useful contributions on this score. Here again, one point is to be stressed: whether it is English or the local language, adroitness is taken into reckoning based on the job requirement. It is not an inflexible MUST.
The prominence and importance of English have been already discussed in detail by fellow members.
V. Raghunathan
From India
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1366You have triggered an interesting and relevant discussion on a topic that surfaces time and again. I would like to share my views on the points raised by you.
In my opinion, it is incorrect to say that corporates stress the proficiency of English for all their recruitment. The language skill is considered only on a need basis. For example, if a tradesman is to be recruited, his language proficiency is not given as much importance as his skill in his trade. Not knowing English does not automatically mean that a person is very fluent in his mother tongue. There are many who are not very adept even in their mother tongue, yet still do a good job and be successful.
I always maintain that communication is to be seen from two angles: the language part and the behavioral part. If you are interested, you may like to go through some of the postings on Cite HR. Many members have made useful contributions on this score. Here again, one point is to be stressed: whether it is English or the local language, adroitness is taken into reckoning based on the job requirement. It is not an inflexible MUST.
The prominence and importance of English have been already discussed in detail by fellow members.
V. Raghunathan
From India
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Please read the article at Urdu as medium of instruction and compulsory subject - DAWN.COM.
As I have been away from India for over 45 years and visit India for short periods, I am not conversant with recruitment policies. However, in the 1960s when I was there, as Raghunathan has clearly stated, the requirement of a good command of English was not necessary for all jobs.
From United Kingdom
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As I have been away from India for over 45 years and visit India for short periods, I am not conversant with recruitment policies. However, in the 1960s when I was there, as Raghunathan has clearly stated, the requirement of a good command of English was not necessary for all jobs.
From United Kingdom
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In the corporate world, an individual is expected to communicate his ideas, concerns, and suggestions to the employer and customer in an effective manner. In a multilingual work environment, a common denominator language is used for communication. It can be English, Hindi, or any other language.
It's more important how you communicate your thoughts effectively rather than your pronunciation and vocabulary. In a customer-facing role, an employee can be expected to have a good command over language and pronunciation.
Languages are beautiful things to learn, with all Indian languages and scripts giving you a strong command over grammar and pronunciation. It's not difficult for us to learn any new language.
People are giving undue importance to English. It's just one of the languages.
Regards,
Abhishek
From India, Mumbai
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It's more important how you communicate your thoughts effectively rather than your pronunciation and vocabulary. In a customer-facing role, an employee can be expected to have a good command over language and pronunciation.
Languages are beautiful things to learn, with all Indian languages and scripts giving you a strong command over grammar and pronunciation. It's not difficult for us to learn any new language.
People are giving undue importance to English. It's just one of the languages.
Regards,
Abhishek
From India, Mumbai
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Dear Mandy and others,
Please excuse me for not answering the second part of Mandy's question to corporates. I searched and found a good piece (104 pages) about Business Communication at <link no longer exists - removed>.
From United Kingdom
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Please excuse me for not answering the second part of Mandy's question to corporates. I searched and found a good piece (104 pages) about Business Communication at <link no longer exists - removed>.
From United Kingdom
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Thanks Mr. Unnikrishanan for putting your point and explainging the use language by giving respect to all language. I am sorry if anyone has felt offended although it was not my intension.
From India, Delhi
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From India, Delhi
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Good to see that forum members are getting into consensus now.
During the course of the discussion, unfortunately, it has been hijacked by language sentiments.
The personal disagreement was on 'what made united India' and not on whether English is great, Hindi, or hundreds of languages.
The British tried to destroy the culture and heritage of the rest of the world with colonialism. However, we have not treated English or any other country in the same manner. Even though English is a foreign language (the word "foreign" itself is relative today), you can find many forms of colloquial English across India - Kolkata, Trivandrum, Kochi, Chennai, Bangalore, Indore, Mumbai, Delhi, Bhopal, Ahmedabad, etc. This shows how much we love this language.
At the same time, we should not worry much about the medium of communication. We need to be really passionate about what we are doing. Language is not going to be a hurdle for the best products or services. Hope these two examples can substantiate this view:
1. "The Alchemist," originally written in Portuguese, has sold more than 30 million copies in 56 different languages, becoming one of the best-selling books in history and winning the Guinness World Record for the most translated book by a living author.
2. China became the global hub of production even though Chinese are very poor in English usage. Even user manuals of products (multilingual) are getting printed there!
From India, Bangalore
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During the course of the discussion, unfortunately, it has been hijacked by language sentiments.
The personal disagreement was on 'what made united India' and not on whether English is great, Hindi, or hundreds of languages.
The British tried to destroy the culture and heritage of the rest of the world with colonialism. However, we have not treated English or any other country in the same manner. Even though English is a foreign language (the word "foreign" itself is relative today), you can find many forms of colloquial English across India - Kolkata, Trivandrum, Kochi, Chennai, Bangalore, Indore, Mumbai, Delhi, Bhopal, Ahmedabad, etc. This shows how much we love this language.
At the same time, we should not worry much about the medium of communication. We need to be really passionate about what we are doing. Language is not going to be a hurdle for the best products or services. Hope these two examples can substantiate this view:
1. "The Alchemist," originally written in Portuguese, has sold more than 30 million copies in 56 different languages, becoming one of the best-selling books in history and winning the Guinness World Record for the most translated book by a living author.
2. China became the global hub of production even though Chinese are very poor in English usage. Even user manuals of products (multilingual) are getting printed there!
From India, Bangalore
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Yes.
English language plays a very big role in corporate India. Since India is a multilingual country, English language is playing an important role not only in the corporate sector but also in other sectors. English language is becoming more and more important day by day.
Due to British dominancy for two hundred years, the mindset of Indians has changed. Indians have adapted to Western culture and habits. No single Indian language has become universally accepted among Indians as a common language.
Communication does not mean proficiency in any particular language. Communication is about understanding the messages that are exchanged among people.
It is unwise to consider English proficiency as equivalent to communication.
From India, Mumbai
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English language plays a very big role in corporate India. Since India is a multilingual country, English language is playing an important role not only in the corporate sector but also in other sectors. English language is becoming more and more important day by day.
Due to British dominancy for two hundred years, the mindset of Indians has changed. Indians have adapted to Western culture and habits. No single Indian language has become universally accepted among Indians as a common language.
Communication does not mean proficiency in any particular language. Communication is about understanding the messages that are exchanged among people.
It is unwise to consider English proficiency as equivalent to communication.
From India, Mumbai
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Hello,
Thank you for a very enlightening discussion. Much has already been said, and different viewpoints covered. I just want to point out that even though English is the 'official' business language in corporate India, Hindi or any other Indian language is used more often to discuss issues. This is typical when managers are talking verbally and not through official channels. Most important discussions happen in such conversations, and even decisions are made (which are officially communicated later in 'English').
So, nothing to worry, Mandy, all our language heritage is safe and thriving. By the way, you must be aware that India is a country with the second-largest number of English-speaking population (After the US as per Wikipedia). So why bother? We could just announce English as one more of our regional languages! (If Britain can claim 'Indian Curry' as their dish, then why not?)
Thanks once again.
From India, Mumbai
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Thank you for a very enlightening discussion. Much has already been said, and different viewpoints covered. I just want to point out that even though English is the 'official' business language in corporate India, Hindi or any other Indian language is used more often to discuss issues. This is typical when managers are talking verbally and not through official channels. Most important discussions happen in such conversations, and even decisions are made (which are officially communicated later in 'English').
So, nothing to worry, Mandy, all our language heritage is safe and thriving. By the way, you must be aware that India is a country with the second-largest number of English-speaking population (After the US as per Wikipedia). So why bother? We could just announce English as one more of our regional languages! (If Britain can claim 'Indian Curry' as their dish, then why not?)
Thanks once again.
From India, Mumbai
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