The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Exalted status for English

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Friday, Sep 22, 2006
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Exalted status for English

Staff Reporter

The boom in IT and ITES has only soared the popularity of the globe's lingua franca

Roger G. Bowers

HYDERABAD: Yes, English is the lingua franca of the globe. But it is as much an Indian language too given its the wide reach and the millions who swear by it. The boom in IT and ITES has only soared its popularity further, even in the rural hinterlands. But, is knowing a language `knowing it enough' or does one need to understand its cultural ethos too?

These were some of the questions thrown open for discussion on `British English, Indian English, Global English' organised by the British Library on Thursday.

`Global village'

Former Assistant Director General of British Council Roger G. Bowers said adoption of English language was growing rapidly with the world becoming `more a global village' riding on the wave of a technological revolution. However, this revolution was creating new social divisions.

Commissioner of Collegiate Education K. Lakshminarayan said that the awareness of English was fast spreading in rural areas too. "People are fast realising that if they have to go up in life, knowledge of English is a must," he added. Highlighting the challenges of English language training in India, University of Hyderabad's Professor of English Shailaja said, "The focus should be on the training of teachers at primary level especially in the rural areas."

G. Rajagopal, Professor of English, CIEFL, also pointed out that before any interventions from the British Council in the direction, its personnel "should be familiar with India and work with college and school bodies" for enhancing the reach of English.

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