Education
Can Hindi Become the Next Global Language?
As we celebrate “World Hindi Day” today let us understand the vast scope of the Hindi language globally and the respect it deserves.
Hindi is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, with about 600 million speakers, including native and second-language users. It is the official language of India, the second most populous country and the fifth largest economy in the world. It is also an official language in Fiji and a recognized minority language in South Africa and the United Arab Emirates. Moreover, Hindi is spoken or understood in many other countries, such as Nepal, Mauritius, Singapore, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Suriname, and the United States.
let’s talk about Hindi’s rich history– it’s like the language derived from the core of Hindustan, tracing back to our Sanskrit roots. Imagine it as the dynamic kid in the Indo-Aryan crew of the massive Indo-European language family. Hindi has got some serious flair. It’s not just sticking to its roots; it’s been a major part of the group of prestigious languages like Persian, Arabic, Turkish, Portuguese, English you name it. Yet Hindi has got its distinct style. Awadhi, Bhojpuri, Braj it’s like Hindi’s got a whole wardrobe of linguistic outfits, showcasing the cultural fiesta in India.
When it comes to writing, Hindi leads the Devanagari script. It’s not just a language thing; it’s a script trendsetter, setting the stage for Sanskrit, Marathi, Nepali, and many more. The world has seen many Hindi literary legends. Munshi Premchand whose stories we have all grown up reading. Harivansh Rai Bachchan the poetic genius. These legends aren’t just local stars; they’re global wordsmiths.
Hindi has great potential to become a global language, as it is the language of a rising power and a vibrant culture. India is a fast-growing economy, with a large and young population, a strong democracy, and a strategic role in regional and international affairs. India is also a major source of culture, innovation, and talent, with a rich heritage of literature, art, music, cinema, and science. Hindi is the medium of expression for many of these domains, and also a bridge for communication among Indians of different linguistic backgrounds.
Therefore, Hindi deserves respect and recognition as a language of global importance. It is not a language that students or teachers should look down upon or neglect, but a language to be proud of and promoted. Hindi can offer many benefits and opportunities to students to become great speakers and learners, such as access to a vast and diverse body of knowledge, a deeper understanding of India and its culture, and a wider network of contacts and collaborations.
Hindi is not a threat or a competitor to other languages, but a partner and a friend. It can coexist and cooperate with other languages, such as English, which is also widely used in India and the world. It can enrich and enhance the linguistic and cultural diversity of the world, and contribute to global dialogue and harmony.
Hindi is a language of the past, the present, and the future. It is a language that connects us to our roots, our identity, and our aspirations. It is a language that can inspire us to learn, to create, and to share. It is a language that can make us global citizens. Hence first and foremost, we as Indians, should start giving Hindi respect through our curriculum in schools.