I found Zubair Torwali’s article “Language and impediments to learning” January 3 to be quite enlightening.
LONDON: I found Zubair Torwali’s article “Language and impediments to learning” (January 3) quite enlightening.
His point is well-taken in so far as impediments to basic literacy and dropout rates are concerned. However, the counter concern would be: how far is it feasible to develop advanced studies in so many different languages? Ultimately, even those schooled in Urdu are disadvantaged as compared to those who have English skills.
English has become such a global language that the French, Germans and Russians are all learning it and Pakistanis who are well-versed in English have an immediate edge abroad and at home. Therefore, the English capabilities of all Pakistanis, regardless of their mother tongues, should be enhanced. Nevertheless, initial difficulty will be present for those children who do not speak English at home.
Ayesha Ijaz Khan
Published in The Express Tribune, January 4th, 2011.
