"0 Essence of Negligence! Myriads of mystic
tongues find utterance
in one speech, and myriads
of hidden mysteries are revealed. In a single melody;
yet, alas, there is no ear to hear, nor heart to understand.".
Language is made up of word and the universe
itself is an expansion of the primal
word. In both Rigveda and the Bible it is said that in the beginning, God and singly God existed. Then He uttered a wish : "I am One, may I be many
and He
became many". Thus from a word of God, a wish from His inner Self, this vast universe was formed.
But why did God create this universe? What purpose did He
have to achieve? Because He is free from
all needs. The Holy Scriptures of the world all reply in
one voice that He created us out of His love for us. Only "love" was the propelling divine force. Therefore, as the ''primal
word" was uttered
with the pure motive of love, all our linguistic pursuits and the overall instrumentalism of
language must
be oriented to creating love, harmony, concord and unity among mankind. This
must be considered as the
'focal point' of using "language as an instrument of empowerment and fostering values" , the topic on which my this talk and presentation is centered on. Once again, let's derive inspiration from the uplifting
words of Baha'u'llah "Quaff from the tongue of the merciful the stream of divine mystery,
and behold from the dayspring of divine utterance
the unveiled splendor of the daystar of wisdom. Sow the seeds of My divine wisdom in the pure soil of the heart, and water them with the waters of certitude, that the hyacinths of knowledge and wisdom may spring up fresh and green from the holy city of the heart.". If we are able to do this, we will have achieved
our very purpose.
TOWARDSAGLOBALLANGUAGE
There are over 5000 languages
spoken in the world today but there has
also been a growing desire for adopting a universal language. The
idea of a universal
language is not new. It is as old as the Biblical
story of Babel.
Babel 's fall has the mythical point that there was once a time of a universal Adamic language. In Islam
the Arabic language
is the language of the Quran, and so universal for Muslims. The written classical Chinese language was and is still read widely but pronounced somewhat
differently by readers
in different areas of China, in Korea and Japan for centuries. Sanskrit
in India was a universal
literary language for many years. The Latin language was in effect
a universal language of literati in the Middle
Ages. The contemporary ideas on universal languages took form only in Early Modern Europe. A
lingua franca or trade language
was nothing very new; but an international auxiliary language was a natural
wish in light of the gradual decline
of Latin. Literature in vernacular languages became more prominent with the Renaissance. In the vast writings of Gottfried Leibniz
can be found many elements
relating to a possible universal language.
In the latter half of the nineteenth century,
the Founder of the Baha’i Faith
(Baha'u'llah) called on the governments of the world to effect the establishment of an international auxiliary
language. Since then, the international Baha’i community has promoted this goal, particularly through
the United Nations,
as a means off acilitating "the transition to a global society".
Adoption of one world
language is a prerequisite to world unity.
Therefore it is one of the prime edifices of
the new world order envisioned by the Messenger
of God for this age. He said :"Choose one of the
existing tongues, or originate a new one, and in like manner adopt a common script, teaching these to the children in all the schools of the world, that the world may become even as one land and one home."
About the time when this proposal was first given to the world, there was born in Poland a boy named Ludovic Zamenhof, who was destined to play a leading part in carrying
it into effect. Almost from his infancy, the ideal of a universal language
became a dominant
motive in Zamenhof's life, and the result
of his devoted labors was the invention
and widespread adoption
of the language known as Esperanto, which has now stood the test of many years and has proved to be a very satisfactory
medium of international intercourse. It has the great advantage that it can be mastered
in about a twentieth part of
the time required to master
such languages as English, French or German.
Anyway, the point
is not to advocate Esperanto
but that there should be an auxiliary
international language so that we all can feel to be a member of a common motherland. Language
is a man made device. People
invented language to foster communication and evolve relationships. In the primitive age, languages evolved
according to the local needs,
culture and understanding of the people
and that is why there are so many different languages in the world. Even
in one country, there are several languages spoken and used. However, the need of the present
time is quite different. We are living today in a global society where human relationships are far more enhanced than yesterday. Today the prime challenge
is to foster the unity of mankind
in the diversity of a global village. Since language
is so essential for communication and so vital to develop
a universal rapport, how can we achieve
this aim until and unless we all know at least one international auxiliary
language?
For example,
the
United
Nations,
which
currently
uses
six
official
languages,
would
derive substantial benefit from either
choosing a single existing language
or creating a new one to
be used as an auxiliary language.
Such a step has long been advocated
by many groups, from the Esperantists
to the Baha'i International Community itself. In addition
to saving money and simplifying bureaucratic procedures,
such a move would go far toward
promoting a spirit of unity.
One world language
is a dream of tomorrow
to which we should give our heart.
The world cannot but adopt a single,
universally agreed-upon auxiliary language
and script to be taught in schools
worldwide, as a supplement to the language
or languages of each country.
The objective would be to facilitate the transition to a global society through better communication among nations, reduction of administrative costs for businesses, governments and others involved in global enterprise, and a general
fostering of more cordial relations
between all members
of the human family. How nice would
the world look like
then? When this is achieved, to whatsoever city a man may journey, it shall be as if he were entering his own home. Baha'u'llah said : "The earth is but one country,
and mankind its citizens."
How will it look if the members
of this one family all speak a language which the other member is not able to understand?
What
sort of a family will it be?
How will love be promoted
among its members
when nobody is aware of the sentiments and emotions of each other and when no consultation is possible when a problem
arises?
LANGUAGE AS A LADDER TO UPLIFT HUMAN HEARTS
Since language is the medium of expression
and communication, it should be brought to optimum use
for fostering values
and moral principles of human life.
In this context,
the Baha’i writings attach great importance to the periods
of childhood and youth, providing
clear guidance to parents and communities to raise children
in a nurturing and unambiguous environment. The Language is going to play a vital role in this aspect on all levels:
family, institutions and community. The first requisite is therefore to cultivate a high linguistic sense among all the participants. The use of foul language should be strongly
discouraged in families, institutions and communities.
As Rita
Brown said : " Language exerts hidden
power, like a moon on the tides.
" One more thing to be remembered is
that the purity
and chastity, greatness
and loftiness of language is emanated from
the greatness of thought. One whose thoughts are shallow, his language cannot
be heightened. Have
we ever thought what makes a great poet or a great
author great ?
Did Rabindranath Tagore, Leo Tolstoy, Valmiki, Dante or Tulsidas wrote on supernatural subjects? No, they dwelt on the same emotions of human life which affect us everyday.
Yet it was the loftiness
of their thoughts that filtered
through their language,
penetrated souls of the millions and established their kingdom in countless human
hearts. Shakespeare was not unwise, therefore, to say:
My words fly up, my thoughts remain below
Words without thoughts never to heaven go.
It is clear at this juncture
that language is a ladder
to uplift human hearts. It is clear that language does not mean only a jumble of words.
Language is not something
to be applied only to the sphere
of literature. Language is something through which we convey our thoughts and emotions in our daily
life. Without language
we cannot express
our love towards
the other creatures. Even when we want to express
our love towards
an animal, it is language
which helps us though it may be a mute language, though
it may be a sign language, but still it is LANGUAGE. It is wise on our part, therefore, that such a powerful device at our disposal should not go waste in wilderness but utilized to create a better world.
LANGUAGE AS A TOOL FOR
EMPOWERMENT
Everything starts from a thought.
As we know, even the creation
of this vast universe began from
a thought from God. Thoughts are very powerful
but they need language.
If this powerful
tool called language
is used for instilling great thoughts then its purpose is solved.
In this way, language can be used as a tool for empowerment and personal transformation and its emphasis should primarily be on children and youth
because they are like green and tender branches who can be molded in the desired
direction.
Using the wonderful powers of language, children and youths should be encouraged to develop a
strong sense of purpose, empowering their own transformation and leading them to contribute
to the advancement of society. Young people's
spiritual capacity, the basis
for
their own happiness and sense of well-being, is a powerful
force for social
change.They aim to build a strong moral framework that will assist children to achieve excellence in material, intellectual,
and spiritual aspects of life.
Baha'u'llah said : "Regard man as a mine rich in gems of inestimable value. Education can, alone, cause it to reveal its treasures, and enable mankind
to benefit therefrom." Baha'u'llah, while mentioning the vital elements
of education, always prescribed science, mathematics and literature as the prime disciplines to be focused
on. He laid even more special
emphasis on teaching
children language and literature. Abdu'l-Baha, His appointed successor, further
emphasized on the significance of literature. In a message
of 1912 he said: "The function
of language is to portray the mysteries and secrets of human hearts. The heart is like a box, and language is the key. Only by using the key can we open the box and observe the gems it contains." Therefore, the vital need is to bring forth these "mysteries and secrets of human hearts", the nobility and beauty that are part of every person's inborn nature.
Language must be as an instrument to create ideals of a healthy and prosperous society.
In brief, the ultimate
aim in life of every human soul should be to attain
moral and spiritual
excellence to align one's
inner being and outward behavior with the will of an all-loving
Creator. Each individual has been bestowed
with a unique destiny by God a destiny which unfolds in accordance with the free exercise of the choices
and opportunities presented
in life.
It is through the moral exercise
of our divinely conferred free will that opportunities are provided
for spiritual advancement. "All that which ye potentially possess can...be manifested only as a result of your own volition.". Language
and literature play a vital role in educating people
in a way and imbuing
them with such lofty standards of mind that they can exercise
their will power to choose
what is good and conducive to their welfare. This
is why when we read a great literature,we feel to be in a state of trance that transgresses the narrow walls of this world and takes us to a lofty realm.
And that is why Shakespeare wrote :
The poet's eye, in a fine frenzy
rolling
Doth glance from heaven to earth, from earth to heaven
Baha'u'llah sets before us the highest
standard of morality
and urges us to strive to attain it. To do
so is the only path to true happiness
and fulfillment. Our moral and spiritual advancement is therefore crucial
to our well-being in both this life and the next . As Baha'u'llah counsels: "Possess a pure,
kindly
and
radiant
heart,
that
thine
may
be
a
sovereignty ancient,
imperishable and everlasting." Language and literature are the most major means to lead us to that great height of rectitude.
THE MAJOR ROLE OF
ENGLISH LANGUAGE
Until the time that
humankind comes to a consensus
whether Esperanto and any other existing language becomes the auxiliary international language,
English has already
gained
such status
which imposes great challenges on this language
in empowering the future generation.
English has a wide preference in education at both school and college
level too. There
are all India level top-ranking institutions of agriculture, science, technology, management, medicine etc. It has been observed that most of the students
who have studied
in the public schools or Central schools
are able to compete for admission to the all India level top institutions. Those who study through
other English medium
schools get admission
in the regional institutions of higher learning.
The same is true for selections to all India top central
civil services. Though there is an option for the use of prominent regional
languages as medium,
but English medium gets higher
preference for some other reasons.
An important reason
being the availability of instructional materials
in these languages. There have been recommendations for and against
the change of medium of instruction in the all India type institutions. Education Commission Report (1964-66) is
The role of English in education is very significant in both school
and college education. There
is a preference for the study of English
as a subject and its use as medium of instruction at different levels
of education. There is a wide preference for oral and written communication
Skills in english in multinational companies, and private business. English is also preferred in the
governmental organizations and public sectors too and is assigned
certain functional roles. It is not out of place to consider the role of English in the expansion
of education in India and language conflicts
between English and other Indian
languages. English came to India with the British. It was selected
by the British primarily for their own administrative convenience, and for bringing India in the fold of the contemporary world of knowledge
of science and technology required for its development. Keeping in view the diversity
of languages in India, it was decided by the rulers to use English
for imparting knowledge of European science, technology and literature. Thomas B. Macaulay felt that English should
be the language in which the educated
people in India would communicate with one another
and with the British and through which they would acquire modern
knowledge. The idea of using English as the medium of instruction
was supported by eminent Indian
intellectuals like Raja Ram Mohan Roy at that time.
After independence, the issues related to education
and the role of English
in it continued to be debated. Some kind of nationalist feelings
were expressed against
English. There was even a demand to abolish the public school system. The Constitutional provision for the replacement of
English by Hindi as the official
language within stipulated time frame of 15 years {article
343) was projected as the conflict between
English and Hindi as language
of power. Though
the VIII schedule of the Constitution of India does not include English, this has not hampered the increasing use of English
in education and its roles in other domains. The Supreme Court in its judgment in the Bombay Education Society
case has ruled as early as in 1954 that English was as much as Indian language as any other. Keeping in view the needs of the current education system,
increasing knowledge in the areas of science, technology and other fields,
it is important to have an efficient medium for acquiring it. In comparison to the world's other languages, English has gained an advantageous
position. It is not only cultivated by the English
mother tongue speakers but by others too.
Hence,
English assumes a major role in empowering children and youth and in adding
values to human life.
Whatever be today but it seems
that the tomorrow
belongs to English language as a world language and its rich legacy will surely move the world one day.
Tina Olyai
Director LAHS
Gwalior
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