Is learning Hindi the third language?

Should I learn a third language?

Yogendra Yadav: Absolutely not. First, because the spirit of the federal system and respect for diversity are the foundation of the Indian Union. Therefore, at least in all language policies, no state is imposed on any state. If we have different views on languages, they will be resolved by consensus rather than by imposition. I’m totally concerned with the imposition of the DMK and the people of Tamil Nadu.

TM Krishna: If I might ask, why do I need to learn three languages? To be clear, we are not talking about students learning other languages, which is happening anyway. A government that selectively deletes chapters of history textbooks shows that students are overloaded with education to even be reluctant to look at the fact that learning another language is absolutely a burden to them. Furthermore, primary and secondary children do not have time or a distant future. Therefore, it is essentially a collection to ask them to learn the third language in the name of future interests. There is also an argument that learning more languages ​​creates unity. This is a smoke screen. Force someone’s language is not uniform.

Yogendra Yadav: Once we remove the idea of ​​imposing and forced teaching three languages ​​from the central language, we can calmly discuss this issue. Experts have addressed the viewpoints about the burden of education. They concluded that if you teach a third language it only helps your basic language and secondary language, so I believe the three-language formula deserves serious consideration on the grounds of pedagogy and national unity. As for practicality, I know schools that do follow this formula. They don’t give you the option of all 22 languages ​​(identified in the eighth timetable of the Constitution), but they give you three or four options. These things can be solved, as long as there is political will and the ability to teach anything.

If forced learning of other languages ​​will put a burden on students, will the school need qualified teachers and funds, which is not the same burden on the school?

TM Krishna: There are more than 5,000 schools in Uttar Pradesh run by a teacher. There is a shortage of teachers in Bihar. Therefore, even in terms of resources, this formula makes no sense. When resources are scarce, it makes more sense to look at the ways we can better teach the main topic. When the native language is the way to learn and communicate in class, I also don’t think adding another language is necessary.

Is it fair to adopt the three-language formula as the premise of releasing central funds for the plan?

Yogendra Yadav: Retreat is unconstitutional. This is part of a political attack on the autonomy of the Tamil Nadu government led by the governor himself. I understand why not only DMK but all parties and the people of Tamil Nadu feel understatement.

TM Krishna: This is unconstitutional, immoral, and has no basis. Some say let people decide whether they want three or two languages. But people have not decided on trilingual policies. The Union Government individuals made this decision.

Why are there so many resistance to educational policies underscores the need to learn other languages?

Yogendra Yadav: My suspicion is that resistance does not come from teaching issues. It stems from the uneasiness of double standards. Frankly, the formula was destroyed by North India. The expectation is that all southern and eastern states will learn Hindi, and Hindi spokespersons have found shortcuts for themselves – they use Sanskrit as shields so that they do not have to learn new languages. So, in reality, this policy means that everyone will be forced to learn the native language of Hindi speakers, but they do not have to learn the native language of others. This legal uneasiness has caused debates about our multilingual language to overwhelm my country.

TM Krishna: Multilingualism is not only a political issue; it is also teaching. Teaching methods have changed. Activity-based learning and experience learning should be the focus at the primary and secondary levels. There are already two languages ​​working. That itself is multilingual. I won’t look at multilinguals by language alone. This is a way to diversify people in their feelings and existence. For example, people learn languages ​​when building relationships. We cannot forget about cultural characteristics and emotional connections that enable people to learn a language.

In many Hindi-speaking states, monolingualism is the primary, regardless of the three-language formula.

Yogendra Yadav: The problem is the false pride that many people in northern India develop, especially in areas where Hindi speaks, which in some way are more privileged than any other language. Many people in the north use the term “national language” and are not mentioned in the constitution. This is the trouble of non-Indian speakers. The Hindi we know today is the most recent and young language, unlike Tamil or Kannada, which is the oldest and richest language in the world.

TM Krishna: It’s hard to get data about this data, but I’m wondering that schools in northern India claim to teach three languages ​​do it. Is it actually abide by the policy?

Yogendra Yadav: As I said, in most North Indian states, Hindi is taught along with English and Sanskrit. Sanskrit has become a way to bypass third language requirements. So technically, yes, follow.

TM Krishna: It’s my point of view. Regarding the Tamil and Tamil language, it is necessary to understand a very important cultural point. Tamil as a language is very different from all other languages ​​based on Sanskrit or Sanskrit. Fundamentally, it is a very difficult task for Tamil to even learn Hindi or its cousin language. In Tamil Nadu, people learn other languages ​​themselves. Sanskrit’s main position in NEP, especially for Tamil speakers, especially in that language is so unique and grammatically distinct and structurally different.

Yogendra Yadav: Positioning Sanskrit as the only carrier of our cultural heritage is a serious mistake. Furthermore, Sanskrit is not taught to instill classical learning, but is mainly intended to destroy the formulas of the three languages. In fact, Hindi speakers don’t learn new languages ​​or scripts.

What direction are you proposing to end the current standoff?

Yogendra Yadav: Learning three different languages ​​is a good idea to cultivate the multilingualism inherent in our culture. But this cannot be imposed on anyone. Students should learn a modern Indian language that is different from their native language. In the north, this would be “best in South Hindi” – exactly what the original formula requires and has never been implemented.

TM Krishna: What is unique is exactly why I think there are only two languages. English is already so different from any language you speak, whether it is Hindi or Tamil. Therefore, adding another language won’t help.

Listen to the conversation In the Hindu podcast