Urdu is an integral part of our identity and not something we should think of abandoning so easily
ISLAMABAD: Our national language is Urdu and despite the fact that it is spoken widely across the country, it is often felt that English has replaced Urdu in terms of the importance it is accorded. Few Pakistanis can speak English. Does this make the majority inferior and uneducated? So many children have not the good fortune of being born in an educated household or to attend a private English-medium school. They are left lacking confidence and are bullied or looked down upon for their poor English. This follows them through to adulthood and becomes part of their personality.
Meanwhile, society continues to consider English more important than Urdu, given its status as a global language and the fact that most school subjects are taught in English. It is fine to learn a language that serves as a source of knowledge and is widely spoken around the globe, but in doing so, we should not forget our national culture and legacy. Urdu is an integral part of our identity and not something we should think of abandoning so easily.
Yousaf Jameel
Published in The Express Tribune, December 24th, 2019.
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