Why Hazir Imam always emphasize on English language?
-
Aly_shallwani
- Posts: 101
- Joined: Thu Jun 10, 2004 6:41 am
Why Hazir Imam always emphasize on English language?
<FONT size=2><P>Why Hazir imam always emphasize o­n the english language as i think that it is not so necessary for us i know that it is an international language but we can take the examples of Germany , France ,Russia & China they all speak in their own languages and are the leading countries of the world they even study mathematics, science and other subjects in their own languages ..English is the language of anglo saxons Britishers and Americans but we are Pakistanis and we should also give importance to our languages like the other countries of the world are doing, In Pakistan the person who speaks english is the superior person and i think if the beggers of all the english countries come in Pakistan they also will be provided Guard of Honour by the Pakistani government .And if we call english as an international language than how the developing countries of the world are surviving.... </P></FONT>
In my opinion it has to do with the fact that English has a wider currency and usage than any other language. It is the language of science and technology. In addition, historically is has been the main administrative, economic and social language of the majority of the countries in which our Jamats have resided due to the link with colonial past. Hence it is easier to adopt English as a common language for the Jamats than say French or German.
It would be interesting to note that English was not the first language of MHI. He had to learn it as a second language as per the following statement. This may serve as an example for others to learn it in adddition to their own language of culture.
"In 1954 I came to the United States for the first time in my life and entered Harvard College as a first year student. It was an experience that I will never forget. All of my formal education up to that point had been in French, and although I had studied English, my command of the language was not up to the demands of Harvard's curriculum. Fortunately there were several of us in the same position and we worked together to find French editions of as many of the assigned readings as possible. We wrote our papers in French, translated them into English, and waited in fear for our grades." (Speech by His Highness the Aga Khan at the International Convocation of the Association of American Universities, Washington, April 22nd, 2001)
Having said the above, I think it is wrong to undermine a person simply because he/she does not speak English especially in a country in which it is not the mother language. It is a classic case of neo colonialism.
It would be interesting to note that English was not the first language of MHI. He had to learn it as a second language as per the following statement. This may serve as an example for others to learn it in adddition to their own language of culture.
"In 1954 I came to the United States for the first time in my life and entered Harvard College as a first year student. It was an experience that I will never forget. All of my formal education up to that point had been in French, and although I had studied English, my command of the language was not up to the demands of Harvard's curriculum. Fortunately there were several of us in the same position and we worked together to find French editions of as many of the assigned readings as possible. We wrote our papers in French, translated them into English, and waited in fear for our grades." (Speech by His Highness the Aga Khan at the International Convocation of the Association of American Universities, Washington, April 22nd, 2001)
Having said the above, I think it is wrong to undermine a person simply because he/she does not speak English especially in a country in which it is not the mother language. It is a classic case of neo colonialism.
I think the current sentiments against the English language is perhaps due to 9/11 and its aftermath. It also looks as if countries like China and Europe are surviving and getting ahead without English as their main language. I believe it is all due to the same reasons and you can also add the advancement of Internet into the mix. If Pakistanis can see through what other developing countries are doing to get ahead then they can see that it is not their language (look at the demands of call centers in India for English speaking people, although it comes naturally to them) but it is something else that is making them go ahead.
We can worry about our own language not making headways in anything or we can look elsewhere to move forward with time.
We can worry about our own language not making headways in anything or we can look elsewhere to move forward with time.
I am surprised to find this subject into doctrines but since it is already there here is an interesting answer:
"We have made English our second language."
Interview of H.H. The Aga Khan -
Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International [LBC]
In Aleppo, Syria - November 8, 2001
http://ismaili.net/Syria/interview/lbcenglish.html
AK: Absolutely not. The vast majority of the community is not in the West, and its first language is not a Western language. We have made English our second language. That yes! Because, in the sixties, in the seventies, we needed to have a language policy. If a community was without a language policy, it would dissociate itself from its development potential. And English is the language that we chose. So today, the Ismaili community speaks Farsi, Arabic, Swahili, English, French, Portuguese, etc. And then, there is a language that is more and more common, it's their second language, for a large majority it is English.
"We have made English our second language."
Interview of H.H. The Aga Khan -
Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International [LBC]
In Aleppo, Syria - November 8, 2001
http://ismaili.net/Syria/interview/lbcenglish.html
AK: Absolutely not. The vast majority of the community is not in the West, and its first language is not a Western language. We have made English our second language. That yes! Because, in the sixties, in the seventies, we needed to have a language policy. If a community was without a language policy, it would dissociate itself from its development potential. And English is the language that we chose. So today, the Ismaili community speaks Farsi, Arabic, Swahili, English, French, Portuguese, etc. And then, there is a language that is more and more common, it's their second language, for a large majority it is English.