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Concern over move to make regional language mandatory

PUDUCHERRY: University Grants Commission Emeritus Fellow of Banaras Hindu University K. Madanagobalane on Monday expressed apprehensions over the move in some universities to make regional language compulsory at the college level.

At a national seminar on ‘Recent Trends in French Studies in India’, organised by the Department of French of Pondicherry University, he said the move would relegate French to the status of a third language and that too, optional.

“Though it is no doubt a welcome step to ensure the importance of the mother tongue, such a move could have a serious impact on thousands of students depriving them of the opportunities available today in the field of foreign languages,” he said.

For this, he said coordination among the policy makers, teachers and associations for foreign language teaching was essential. “This could bring about a consensus that would retain the scope offered by foreign languages without compromising on the regional languages,” Mr. Madanagobalane opined.

On the increasing career opportunities for students of French, he said there were only limited career opportunities in the 90’s. Now, those with a postgraduate or research degree in French were in demand for jobs of translators, interpreters and specialists in various institutions and companies, he added.

However, he said many aspirants were in the view that having done French in school or a diploma from the Alliance Francaise was adequate for jobs in call centres and multinational companies.

“Hence, there is a diminishing interest for in-depth studies in the language and literature. In this mad scramble for material gains, the inherent values that a language propagates are blatantly ignored,” he said.

Mr. Madanagobalane also said the whole concept of teaching ought to be modified and syllabus completely revamped. The UGC has brought out its curriculum focussing on the present day needs – knowledge of French with an inter-disciplinary approach, he said.

Inaugurating the seminar, Director of Studies, Educational Innovations and Rural Reconstruction of the University S. Kuppuswami said the university was also offering French in the Tourism and Computer Science courses.

“French is one of the foreign languages preferred by students as it would help to meet the requirements of the IT and tourism industries. But still, we are not able to meet the requirements of the IT companies for French-knowing IT professionals,” he said.

Professor Kuppuswami said techniques to teach French at a faster rate should be looked at. The university had signed a number of Memorandum of Understanding with several French universities, with another tie up with the management department on the cards.

Dean of School of Humanities V.C. Thomas, former Dean R. Kichenamourty, head of department of French S. Pannirselvame and professor of French Nalini J. Thampi spoke.

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