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Language
18
Policy

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ChapterStructure Cosud Ontpoha bry Oue to, Uwo
fos
Aar
Need for a Common Language The Present Formulaot
Claims of Hindi and English EvaluateYourself &, Loy fRa
Implications for School System 10,0o
Summary
pu
Efforts Madeto Evolve a Language Keywords
Formula-Historical Perspective References

The Education Commission 1964-66 stressed the importance of language policy, "The
development of a proper language policy can also assist materially in social and national
integration of the many problems which the country has faced since the independence,the
language question has been one of the most complex and intractable and it still continuesto be
so. Its early and satisfactory solution is imperative for a variety of reasons-educational, cultural
and political! In view of the importance of the problem, the commission suggests that the
UGC and the universities carefully work out a feasible programme suitable for each university
or groups of universities. The language problem has become somewhat acute in India. Many
Pe
languages are spoken in India. Language is an important cementing factor.
One of the most significant inventions of the man is language. It helped him to share ideas,
feelings and thoughts with one another easily. We fully know that it is the vehicle of thought and
In tact
a powerful means of communication. Truly speaking, language is a part of our very being.
we cannot imagine a civilized society without it.
It goes without saying that language unites us; it acts as a cementing force and generatesa
sort of homogeneity. People belonging to a language group develop their own idioms and also
Pugs their own way of life. But there is another side to the picture. If language unites, then it separates
as well. er
In our country, we have several languages and so our people feel separated from one anotne
ceof
on this score, The fact remains that language does create a barrier. In our country, the existence
so many languages has created problems which we will discuss presently.
tuals
The British, as rulers ofour country,imposed English as the official language. The intellect
and the middle class, in order to grab power by occupying the administrative positions, rearchy
learned this language. So, English became a means to move up vertically in the social hiera
and, as a cause, our national language, Hindi, suffered.
kost 6uo )Xobe oulb
T 1 2 0 1 lC e u l o
 Language Problem 215

Need for a Common Language

We all know and accept that every self-respecting country has its own language, flag. national
anthem, national symbol, Constitution, etc., to maintain its own distinct identityiA nation cannot
even imagine a foreign language to be its national or official language. Therefore, we mentioned
in the Constitution that English would be the official language only for a period of 15 years
and there after Hindi would replace it as the official language of the country. In this manner, the
founding fathers of our Constitution gave Hindi the place due to it. Since Hindi could notreplace
Engish overnight, for obvious reasons, a period of 15 years\to effect this change was deemed
a wise decision.

Claims of Hindi and English

At this juncture{it would be worthwhile to consider the claim of Hindi. Hindi was given this
status because it was the language spoken and understood
by majority of people
all over the country, to some extent or the other. In fact, it was the
only language which could be
regarded as the lingua franca of the Indian people)
Besides, Hindi also owes its origin to Sanskrit, the mother of numerous languages of India.
So it must be understood that Hindi was not an
imposition on any one. It was, in fact, the natural
choice in our democratic setup.
But many eye brows were raised against
making Hindi the base of the entire country and
opposition to it rose to a crescendo on the eve of the expiry of the stipulated period of 15
years.(Rajagopalacharyaji. popularly known as Rajaji. had supported the claim of Hindi as a
national language when India was under the British rule. But the
same Rajaji opposed it when
time came to make it the official language of the country. He very forcefully brought out the
difference between a national and an official
language. He argued that as soon as Hindi is declared
the official language of the Union, it becomes incumbent upon the administration to transact its
business in Hindi. The official
It
language, in other words, becomes the language of the government.
becomes compulsory. )
Notwithstanding. (Rajagopalacharyaji argued that it would result in the hegemony of the
Hindi speaking peoplè over others. He also said that the Hindi-speaking people would argue
that non-Hindi
if speaking people could learn English, foreign language, then why could they
a
e a r n Hindi, a language of their own country? Rajaji, in his own inimitable way, argued that
the people who talk in this vein did not know what they were alluding to. He said that British
mposed their language upon us; would the Hindi-speaking people also act like them?
This controversy created a lot of bad blood betweenthe North and the South of India,especially
amil Nadu; this state witnessed many agitations on this issue. However, Indira Gandhi was not
to
be cowed down by these agitations and she declared Hindi as the official language of the Union
at the expiry of the period of 15 years. )

But in orderto assuage the

the
feelings of the people of South India and also because of some of
practical difliculties, English was retained as the Associated Official
u r Offhcial language. So, presently,
Language is Hindi. (O.L.) and the Associate Official Language (A.O.L.) is English.
 216 Development and Problems of Indian Education

Implications for School System

Right from the very beginning, the above scenario had its
We must fully understand that implications for the school curriculum
schools are an integral part of the social
schools to preserve its culture and also realize its system. The society has
controversy had its direct bearing on the schools.
objectives and aspirations. Therefore, the abene
we
But before taking up the above issue even further, it would be in the fitness of
consider the role and place of the individual's mother things to
tongue as well. We all know
that our mother
tongue is very dear to us. Actually, the mother is the first language that we
it from the environment
tongue learn. We learn
surrounding us. Non-formal education is
required to learn it. In
is the vehicle of our
expression. Besides, learning through the medium of ones' mother fact. it
becomes very easy. Therefore, all over the
world, an individual's mother tongue is usedtongue
medium of instruction. So, in our case, we have to as the
deal with three
Hindi (O.L); and languages: the mother tongue
English (A.O.L.).
Though there is a claim of Sanskrit or a classical language as well, but for the sake of
we can refer to it later on. At present, it would be prudent to focus our attention clarity
three languages. on the above

Efforts Made to Evolve a

Language Formula-Historical
Perspective
The Government of India was fully
cognizant of this intricate and sensitive
Secondary Education Commission (1952-53) also addressed itself this problem. Ibe
the following measures: to problem and suggesteu
Mother tongue/regional
language should be the medium of
Two more instruction
languages to be introduced at the middle stage, i.e.,
English and Hindi should be introduced at the end between VI and VII clas
of the junior basic
At the
high and higher secondary stage, at least two stage
which should be the mother languages should be studied, ou
tongue or regional language
The C.A.B.E.
(Central
formula. In brief, they Advisory Boardof Education) in 1956 devised
recommended the thefamousthree- lang
language for Hindi areas in addition to thestudy ofofHindi for non-Hindi areas and another in
But there was resistance to study Hindi and English.
it. If we consider
child, we find that it means extra this
load on the arrangement from the point or ofororthea
child to learn a third young child.
language an Indian language in the Besides, there was no motivatfà
third language also meant
extra cost in terms of Hindi-speaking area. The adu
and
In money material.
1964-66, the Kothari Commission
a careful thought, it also considered this issue at
gave the following great length. Atc ted
sections of the
society: suggestions to accommodate the
feelings of all the au
 Language Problem 2 1 7

The Mother Tongue (M.T.) or the regional language

The O.L.. A.O.L. of the Union, as long as the language
exists

A modern Indian language foreign langúage not covered under the categories of the
or

mother tongue, regional language or even the official language apd.any other
than that used as the mediunrof instrugtion
language
No doubt the above formula gives Nhe option'to omit Hindi, which is the OL of the country.
Aut the Commission very sagaciously dicnot impose Hindi uppn the unwilling people, in order
ta avoid friction. The Commission, at the same time, left open the option with the people ot
Non-Hindi area to offer them Hindi as well. The Commission fully realized that Hindi would
automatically gain popularity, but if it were to be imposed upon the people, then there would be
resistance and it would harm the interest of the nation. However, it was also suggested that Hindi-
speaking people should preferably opt for a South Indian language. It should, thss, assuage the
feelings of the South Indians, particularly the people ofTamil Nadu.

The Present Formula 4

However. keeping inview the sensitivity ofthepeogleof this isaue, /new formula hasbeen put
in operation. It is as follows:

M.T. or
regional languages /
Official language or even the associate officiallanguage
Official language and the associate official langnage
It is also suggested that the Hindi-speaking people may preferably learn a South Indian
anguage as their third language. Under this dispensation, we find that Hindi would be compulsory
for every student.
t may also be mentioned that the second language is to be introduced at the higher primary
sage and the third language at the lower secondary stage.
At the higher secondary stage, a child will haveonlytwo languages.
Since education is in the concurrent list, the Union can reinforce this formula on unwilling
yet looking at the people involved in this issue, the Union has let it at
sentiments ofthe
he discretion of the states.
quite it is fair and suitable. Sooner or later,
Hindi critically
Hind: analyze this formula, we find that
not have any associate
Dound to come up and remove English totally. Then we shall said
official uage as also mentioned by the Kothari Commission when it 'A.O.L.ot the U'nion
as
as
will occupy its
ripkas it exists. And in this way Hindi, the official language of the country.
Tightful position.
In sum, we can say that the three-language formula is the need ot the country.
In th franca or the oticial language
rst have one common language lingua or
the country.place, we must
ofthe the slot because it is spoken and understood by
the
Hindi automatically fits into
najority of eople. So it is not
Populari ethe pec an imposition on any one. Keeping in view its undisputed
Populalarity,
it is the onl language of the country which can position of Othcial
occupy the
Language an
With
only
therefore, the founding fathers ofour Constitution granted
it this status.

and large the language of the ádminis

to English, it has been and is still, by
ators gard in the tields ot sciences,
ais o the medium of learning at a higher level, particularly
also
ls
me
218 Development and Problems of Indian Education

engtneering, technology. medicine, etc. But still the fact remains that it is a foreign a
Moreover, inspite of its hegemony for about 200 years, it has remained the languas guage.
396 of people. Therefore, in no circumstances should it be allowed to
continue its
of about;
to
it is an international nacy. supremac
Since
language great import
of and the language of trade and
commerce,we can L
it for those children at a suitable in the school who want to
stage system, specialize in these ar.
but in no case should it be
imposed upon crores of our young children who do not enter intoareas,
the portals of
higher learning.
As regards one's mother
tongue, its place as the medium of instruction is undisputed
However, in passing it may be mentioned that even at the nursery
stage, our children are madeto
use
English as the medium of learning.
As regards
the opposition to Hindi, the
government and the administrator should take a
decision with clear head. There is no need to use force or
a
its own. It is
impose Hindi. It is coming up on
unstoppable. It is the language used by post offices, defense forces and railwars
Bes des the Hindi cinema, T.V., radio and other agencies of communication are
imperceptible but quick spread of this language in the country. helping in the
At this stage, one can insert a word
about Sanskrit or any other classical
is the original base of almost all the language. Sanskrit
Indian languages. It is the storehouse of our
fountainhead. We cannot and should not culture; our
ignore it.

EVALUATE YOURSELF
What is the need of a common
language?
2. What is the controversy between
Hindi and English?
What is the implications of this
rsa
controversy for the school system?
State a historical account of the
our country development of the three-language tot
in

Why should we have a three-language formula?

Summary
Language is very important for the
unity and integrity
the

British made English the language of of India. In our conaing C o n t e x t ,

administration at the cost of Hindi. After

al
independence, the Indians were facing the problem of ot

language. At that time having

English was retained as the O.IL. but it
one
common in the
Constitution that Hindi would replace it in 15 was also mentione
years
But this decision gave birth to the
English-Hindi controversy. Hindi was
status because it was the
language of the majority. However, the protagonistsgiven
ot
sh sa
that it was design to impose
a the
hegeony of Hindi over others
But ultimately, Hindi was declared as the O.L. of the Union 15years,

had been ordained in after the expiry ot the

our Constitution. But in order no
to assuage the feelings o
 Language Problem 219

tadi speaking people, particularly South Indians, English was recognized as the A.O.L. of
Hin
the Union

1eis accepted by every one that ones' mother tongue should be the medium of instruction
the school stage and may even continue up to the university level. So keeping in mind
above facts, we have to have three languages at the school stage: mother tongue; O.L.; or
the
even A.O.L.

In 1952-53, the Secondary Education Commission dealt with this issue

In 1956, the C.A.B.E. came out with its famous three-language formula, comprehensively.
the re commendations made by the 1952-53
taking its cue from
Secondary Education Commission. This
formula was accepted by the Education Ministers in their conference in 1961
a In 1964-66, the Kothari Commission also recommended the
we carefully study these formulas, we shall find that a
three-language formula. If
constant and continuous effort was
made to have three languages and to place Hindi at its rightful
place. However, it was
always
suggested that Hindi-speaking people should preferably study a South Indian language
At present, the formula is

1. M.T. 2.0.L 3. A.O.L

to have our own

identity, for unity of the nation and emotional integration.
The advocates of
English, particularly the people of South, it was a scheme of the Hindi
speaking people to impose their hegemony over them. They also maintained that Hindi
was not rich enough to cope with the demands of
learning science subjects. But the
Government, as per the provision of the Constitution, declared Hindi as the O.L. after the
expiry of the stipulated period of 15 years
Language controversyhas an immediate relationship with the school curriculum. Therefore,
theschool had to accommodate three
languages in its curriculum to serve the needs of the
5Ociety and realize the aspirations of the nation as reflected in the Constitution to maintain
S
unity and integration: to keep our identity; to maintain our
unity; to integrate the nation
n conclusion, we can say that Hindi has been granted the status of Official Language (O.L.)
0r
Obvious reasons. English is the language of international trade, sciences, technology.
edicine and engineering, etc., so it cannot be removed instantly. Moreover, Hindi would
sOme time to replace English completely. Therefore, English has been retained as the
A.0.L. till such time as it is
necessary
4 Keywords

A.0IL-Associate Official Language is English

CL-Classical Language is Sanskrit
OfficiallanguageLanguage
languag used bythe government in its day-to-day administration
O-Official Language is Hindi
 220 Development and Problems of Indian Education

References
Aggarwal, J. C., 2006. Development and Planning of Modern Education (Delhi: Vikas Publ.
Publishi
House).
Progamme of Action, National Policy on Education, 1986. Ministry of Human Reso
Development, Government of India, pp.180-184. Resource
Recommendations of Central Advisory Board of Education, 1956 for Three
(New Dellhi: Government of India).
languages Formnla
Report of the Education Commission 1964-66. Ministry of Education, Government of
256-260. India. e

Report of the Secondary Education Commission 1952-53.

of India, p. 310. Ministry of Education, Government
Report of the University Education Commission 1948-49.
of India, pp. 264-266. Ministry of Education, Government
Sharma, A. P, 1997. Problems of Indian Education: Its System and Structure
Publishers). (New Delhi: Allied
Wallia,J. S., 2004. Modern Indian Education and its
Problems (Jallandhar: Paul Publishers).
 Development and Problems
of Indian Education

R.P Pathak

ALWAYS LEARNING
PEARS