STATUS AND FUNCTIONS OF

ENGLISH

STATUS OF ENGLISH
With the dawn of independence a controversy
began about the place, importance and study of
English.
People like C. Rajagopalachari favoured its
retention at its place, under the influence of
nationalism.
They argued that English being a foreign
language, was responsible for a very great waste
of students time and energy.

 Declared that students could learn and express

their ideas more easily in their Mother-tongue.
In free India, English could not be allowed to
occupy the position of privilege.
Then regional languages should developed and
that Hindi should replace English.

 Independent India ,must have its own national

languages.
The British colonial administration employed
English and encouraged its use as it wanted to
create an elite.
English is used in the administrative service and
in key fields
such as education, science technology.

 The largest number of English speakers in the world is

in India.
English is virtually the first language for many
educated Indians.
Multi lingual Indians who use it as a second language
in different official contexts.
The 1997 India Today survey suggested that about
a third of the population has the ability to carry on a
conversation in English.

 It can be inferred that there are around 350

million English speakers in India.
Hindi is the official language of the country.
English is defined as the associate official
language.
In a country in which sixteen national languages
and 1652 dialects coexist.

THREE

LANGUAGE -FORMULA

In 1950, schools has adopted the three language

formula.
It consists of providing education in the regional
language in Hindi and English.
English finds a suitable place in three language
formula approved by the Chief Ministers Conference.
According to this a child must learn,
(1) Mother tongue i.e regional language.

(2) National language.

(3) English.
The Indian Education Commission modified a
three language formula.
It provides for the study of English in our school
as an important subject of curriculum.

 According to this, every student has to study

English at one stage during his stay at the
secondary school.
The regional language is to be taught from class l
to X.
Hindi as the second language to be introduced in
class v and taught compulsorily.

 English has maintained a sort of hegemony in

several areas;
a large number of books ,magazines and
newspapers are published in English.
People are motivated to learn English to find a good
job as it is considered as the language of power and
prestige.
English is not only educated people prerogative, it
also serves as lingua franca to cover social and
cultural gaps

 By using code switching and code mixing,

various aspects of the speakers identity can be
revealed.

FUNCTIONS OF ENGLISH
Pre Independence English occupied a very important
place in India.
It is the official language of the administration,
medium of instruction and subject of study in Indian
schools.
English language has occupied an important place in
Education, Courts, Commerce & Industry.
Language attracts people because of the wealth of
literature.

 English is available to us as a historical heritage

in addition to our own language.

ENGLISH AS A LINK
LANGUAGE
It acts as a link language in the world, which
connects the people of the world with one another.
In the absence of a national language ,English is
containing and will continue to be a link language
of the country.
It is the common language of the people of various
regions and nations.
English has emerged as a common language
between centre and states.

 Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru said that language link is a

great link between us and English speaking people.
During international meetings and conventions,
Indian people put forward their view points in English.
It is the only language to express our opinion in the
affairs of the world.
English will help to establish social, cultural, and
political relations with other countries of the world.

ENGLISH AS AN INTERNATIONAL
LANGUAGE
It is the first language of the United States of
America, Canada & Australia.
English is spoke and read by millions of Europians ,
Africans, Chinese, Indians, Japanese and South
Americans as a second language.
English is the language for international, political and
industrial relations with the countries of the world.
Through English we can communicate our opinions in
the affairs of the world.

 English helps in bringing us closer to the rest of

the world.
Without English , Indian industry would became
an isolated isle in the ocean of the world.

LIBRARY LANGUAGE
English is the key of the storehouses of knowledge.
The role of English as library language becomes
important in India.
It is only language through which maximum
knowledge can be imparted to students.
The Kothari Education Commission has rightly
stressed that English would play a vital role in
higher education as an important library language.

 Even though some Universities have switched

over to regional language as medium of
instruction in humanities.
They have not extended this step to course in
science, law , medicine, engineering and
agriculture.

WINDOW ON THE WORLD

Nehru has rightly said that English is our major
window on the world.
It keeps us informed about the advancement
taking place through out the world.
English is the only window through which we can
see the progress taking place in the scientific ,
technological , agricultural , cultural, literary,
political, social and economic fields.

 Knowledge of English helps us keep in touch with

the worlds ever increasing explosion of
knowledge and technological advancement s are
important in a developing country like India.
The study of English will continue in the
country,for the progress of our country.

LANGUAGE OF OUR LITERARY

DEVELOPMENT
By reading English books , Indian writers
developed their own languages & literature.
The development of modern Indian novel, short
story,drama and literary criticism is entirely due
to the impact of English on Indian languages.

LANGUAGE OF
COMMUNICATION
English is the language of communication.
All the highly placed officers and aristocratic
families were use English for communication.
To speak English was considered a mark of
greatness.

LANGUAGE OF THE STATE

During the British rule, English was the language
of the state.
All official correspondence had to be done in
English.
All the administrative jobs even petty clerical
posts were opened only to those who had
knowledge of English.

LANGUAGE OF THE
COURT
English was the language of the court.
Judges and Magistrates wrote and announced
their decisions in English.
Lawers and Barristrers placed their case in
English.
This was the language in which all the records of
all Courts were kept.

LANGUAGE OF INDIAN
UNITY
It was English that united the people living in
different parts of India.
General Indian leaders went from place to place
and delivered speeches in English.