English should be taught as native language, says Prof Mohanty

Hyderabad: The language of France is French and that of Spain is Spanish. But in India it is not Indian, remarked Prof Panchanan Mohanty, Dean School of Humanities, University of Hyderabad while delivering his keynote address at the inaugural session of the fourth National Conference on Language, Literature and Society.

The conference organized by the Department of English of Maulana Azad National Urdu University was inaugurated on Wednesday (February 17) by former Vice Chancellor of Vikrama Simhapuri University Prof C R Visvesvara Rao.

Prof. Mohanty revealed that though only about four percent of Indians spoke English, it is the language that connects the entire country. There are 22 scheduled languages that are spoken by 96.6 percent people in the country.

Reflecting on the contemporary status of English he emphasized the need to research Indian English. English’s recognition as an Indian language would enable its teaching in schools not as a foreign language but as a native one. One of the primary reasons for poor acquisition of the English language, he said, was its being taught through other languages. “Just as we do not learn our mother tongues with the help of another language similarly, English should be taught without interference from other languages,” he said
Prof Visweswara Rao reflected on the historical shifts in criticism on the relations between literature and society. Covering the length and breadth of critical thinking from Aristophanes to the New Historicists, the speaker commented on how society which was once perceived merely as backdrop to literature progressed to being considered as a literary text.

Professor Naseemuddin Farees, Dean School of Languages, Linguistics and Indology, commended the Department of English on organizing this conference and stated that it has made a valuable choice in terms of the theme of the conference by selecting language, literature and society.

Dr Shugufta Shaheen, Head of the English Department, said that society is mirrored in literature as the primary function of literature is to inculcate humanistic values. The debate between aesthetic and pedantic functions of Literature has engaged scholars since classical times. The issue continues to be relevant in the contemporary era. It is therefore, essential to engage in academic debates and discussions, especially when the vey legitimacy and utility of the Departments of Literature in academic institutions is being questioned.
The conference will highlight, investigate, and critically examine myriad reflections and diverse viewpoints, Dr Shugufta Shaheen, said added that in the process it will present a sociological and linguistic response towards literature and vice-versa.

The chief guest at the valedictory session which will be held on Thursday is Padmashree Mohammed Ali Baig, theatre revivalist, in Hyderabad.