English Vs Vernacular Language Education

Bhagat’s novels bring out the important role played by English language in establishing one’s position and status in present time. Even though we have seen many heated debates across the country over English versus vernacular language education, it needs to be accepted that the language of the Britishers does not belong to them anymore and is rather, a ‘lingua franca’ and the most viable medium of communication in the global context. Quoting the situation in contemporary India, Bhagat in an interview says, “It isn’t just the English versus Hindi class divide anymore….The new class divide is varying degrees of English….A lot more people are in the English fold, but with varying levels of proficiency. The elites laugh and sneer at their country

Stephen’s College is a classic example of how English has become the be all and end all of the lifestyle of the upper class elites. The grilling session with the senior Professors during the interview baffles Madhav. Even though he has clear and organized ideas in his head and in fact, answers to all the questions that he is asked, he finds it difficult to communicate the same in English. After his initial struggles with broken and imperfect English, Madhav switches over to Hindi to be immediately reprimanded by one of the Professors and asked to speak in English. As Madhav automatically responds, “Why? You don’t know Hindi?”(HG, 10), he realizes his blunder seeing the horrified faces of the people sitting opposite him, for whom the very suggestion to speak in any language other than English is unthinkable. Even though Madhav answers satisfactorily and sensibly to all the difficult questions asked, the interview concludes with the remark, “English is no longer a foreign language, Mr. Jha. It’s a global language. I suggest you learn it.” (HG, 13) Bhagat also depicts the difficulties of a person who does not speak good English with the peer group. Madhav becomes a butt of joke right from the time he enters St. Stephen’s College and asks for direction to some of the “long-haired” elite boys who could be clearly identified as the “rich, English types” (HG, 8). Dumbfounded at Madhav’s Bihari-mixed Hinglish, they look down

(48); ‘She came to his room, no?’ (48) – examples from Half

Girlfriend

Examples of Phrases with Indian influence: ‘ramrod posture’ (240); ‘cheapo’ (67)

Examples of some words and idioms picked up from everyday life in an Indian society making it easier for the reader to relate to:

‘the cases moved through our legal system are slower than a bullock cart on the national highway’ (15)

‘by lane narrow enough to jam a fat cow’ (31)

Bhagat’s books bring out various instances of a changed English which can be identified with the present day time. The younger generation of Indians, not bothered by the restrictions imposed by the so-called appropriate British English, feels free to use the language according to their terms and conditions, giving it a local flavour. Bhagat’s book, Half Girlfriend, brings out another important concern related to the issue of using explicit language. The author connects the use of a particular style of communication to the individual’s culture and class. Madhav’s use of filthy language to Riya comes naturally and automatically to him at a time when he is upset with her. Bhagat here depicts the effect of the rural background and cultural influences on Madhav’s choice of