West is more advanced not necessarily because of the use of English but rather because it values its own language.
KARACHI: Asad Zaman’s article "Changing the world" (September 28) about promoting only the English language as the medium of instruction for science technology and culture is something I disagree with. The writer encourages change but can we really grow and evolve under the umbrella of foreign influence? Extending this further, our own roots will not grow or be strengthened if they are not watered by our own values. By the same token, the West is more advanced not necessarily because of the use of English but rather because it values its own language, traditions and culture. Unfortunately, we feel ashamed of our own language and culture and try to rid ourselves of it as much as we can.
I am not against the English language – but it should be taught as a second language. If we want to educate our superstitious and ignorant people we need to educate them in a language they understand and our comfortable with – and that has to be their mother tongue.
Insiya Shabbir
Published in The Express Tribune, October 1st, 2010.
