OPINION
Language is a set of symbols used for spoken and written communication in a structured and conventional way. About the origin of language there are many theories and hypothesis but none of them could prove itself. According to Edward Vajda, author of The Origin of Language “this is why in the late 19th century the Royal Linguistic Society in London actually banned discussion and debate on the origin of language out of fear that none of the arguments had any scientific basis at all and that time would be needlessly wasted on this fruitless enquiry.” He further writes, “Many societies throughout history believed that language is the gift of the gods to humans. The most familiar is found in Genesis 2:20, which tells us that Adam gave names to all living creatures. This belief predicates that humans were created from the start with an innate capacity to use language.” In Quran Allah says, “He taught Adam all the names of things” (Quran 2:31), that proves that Arabic was the first language and later 50 Holy Scriptures were revealed on Hazrat Shees (A.S) who was Adam’s son. Afterwards, innumerable languages originated from Arabic language.
According to Ethnologue Statistics, over 7000 living languages are spoken worldwide. But this number will decrease with the increase in globalization that is affecting the importance of local languages since early 19th Century. Apart from globalization, war and deadly diseases also contributed in complete disappearance of languages.
English as a lingua franca has approximately 360 million native speakers and is learnt as a second language worldwide. It has acquired the status of high prestige. In Pakistan, where it is an official language, English is linked to the rich and educated class.
English medium schools are playing a vital role in producing a generation that would feel pride in speaking foreign languages rather than their mother tongue. All subjects are taught in English; the language of power and a class-based schooling system is practiced throughout our country. On the other hand, Urdu language dominates the government schools but unluckily, these students face difficulty at college and university where English is used as the medium of instruction. Sometimes, these students waste much time in searching for the translation guides of their course books. Such educational system cannot do justice to the students, as it is unable to give a high-status to the national language, Urdu.
Our local languages with a large number of speakers would not die soon but their purity is lost. Most of the words have been borrowed from English and are so frequently used that the native speakers have forgotten the substitute words of their own language. For example, the English terms of kinship ‘uncle’ and ‘aunt’ are used in Pakistan to address strangers.
Moreover, the educated class likes to read English newspapers, novels and prefer to watch English movies. It does not seem to be an alarming issue but slowly and steadily, it will change the whole system as language brings culture with itself.
Language is a means to preserve history, culture and identity of a nation. Other languages can ensure our good jobs but the essence of social life lies in our mother tongue.