The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : Attitude matters

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Wednesday, Aug 15, 2007
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Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Attitude matters

The article “Attitude matters” (Open Page, Aug. 12) makes a valid point. The language issue assumes significance more than ever before today because IT companies are planning to move to tier II cities. We cannot, for instance, expect the locals of Nanguneri in Tamil Nadu (where a hi-tech park project is proposed) to be conversant with Hindi or English. A working knowledge of the local language is necessary for those who take up jobs outside the States they belong to. In fact, companies themselves should encourage their staff to learn the local language by conducting classes. It will be a people-friendly move.

V.K. Vydhianathan,

Hyderabad

* * *

I have had experiences similar to those of the author many times. But indifference towards the language and culture of the host State is not confined to any particular group. We find such people in our metros, especially among the well-heeled, who detest anyone not measuring up to their ‘standards.’

Sajna V.M. Kutty,

Kozhikode

* * *

About 20 years ago, I was returning to Thiruvananthapuram from Madurai by bus. As the bus drew close to the city, the person sitting next to me asked me for directions to a place, the address of which was written in Hindi. Although I can read and understand the language (thanks to my love for cricket and years of listening to Hindi commentary), since even the numerals were written in Hindi, I could not help him.

He asked two other persons for help but in vain. He was outraged and wondered why people who could not understand Hindi should live in India! He was firm in his conviction that one who knows Hindi need not know any other language and that everyone is bound to understand him even in a State where the language is not widely spoken. On reading the article, I understand that the attitude has not changed even after 20 years. It will perhaps never change.

N.S. Suresh,

Thiruvananthapuram

* * *

The author’s advice to north Indians not to become the “arrogant Americans” of India is uncalled for. The article quotes a Greek storekeeper as saying that Americans who speak and expect everyone to answer in English are arrogant. Well, Americans expecting answers in English when they are outside their country may be arrogant. But north Indians expecting someone to answer in Hindi in another part of their own country can by no means be called arrogant. Speaking in Hindi or wanting to hear Hindi programmes on Radio Mirchi does not point to arrogance. Hindi is our national language and anyone can expect it to be spoken anywhere. Instead of hyping such matters, the author should first do something about those Telugu-speaking people who refuse to speak in their mother tongue but insist on speaking in English.

Uttam Anand,

Thanjavur

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