THREE-LANGUAGE FORMULA- AN OVERVIEW

RED KP

25-May-2021

The NEP-2020 has stressed the importance of the three language formula’s implementation. But the state of Tamil Nadu has lately rejected this recommendation and has decided to stick with the existing two-language policy. “For quite some time TAMIL NADU has been highly successful by the two language policy and is quite successful in achieving significant positive socio-economic changes.

WHAT IS THE THREE LANGUAGE FORMULA? (KOTHARI COMMISSION)

ACCORDINGLY:

(a) IN HINDI SPEAKING STATES: HINDI, ENGLISH AND A MODERN-INDIAN LANGUAGE

(b) IN NON-HINDI SPEAKING STATES: HINDI, ENGLISH AND ONE INDIAN LANGUAGE

(A/C TO KOTHARI COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS)

It was incorporated because the medium of education was not uniform across the country. Also, Hindi was the general medium in Hindi-speaking regions whereas in non-Hindi speaking regions especially in the southern states regional language and English were the media of instructions

This leads to difficulties in inter-state communication. The ultimate aim was to promote multilingualism and national harmony and this would bridge the language gap.

OBSTACLES

Education was in the state subject until 1976 so implementation of the formula with the state governments. But most of the states did not adapt to it in principle. Most of the states adopted Sanskrit as the third language instead of any modern Indian language. Also, non-Hindi speaking states like TAMIL NADU did not implement this formula. Instead, they adopted their own language policy which is active till today. One of the languages was Tamil and another one was English.

WHY HINDI OPPOSITION IN TAMIL NADU PRIMARILY?

The first reason is that language is a vehicle to protect the culture of that particular place and is protected by the civil society and politicians of the State. If any attempt is taken at diluting the importance of the Tamil language can be viewed as an attempt at homogenization of culture.

Also, one of the reasons for opposing the Hindi Language is that many in Tamil Nadu see it as a fight to retain English. There, the English language is the well-known language of empowerment and knowledge.

Certain sections of the society impose the Hindi language because they felt that it will lead to the elimination of English which is a global link language. However, voluntary learning of the Hindi language has never been restricted in the State. The only compulsion is met with resistance.

PROMOTION OF HINDI LANGUAGE IN TAMIL NADU

There is this counter-argument that Tamil Nadu is depriving students of an opportunity to learn Hindi, touted as a national link language.

However, its voluntary learning has never been restricted and the growth over the past decade in the number of CBSE schools, where the language is taught, bears testimony to this.

The patronage for the 102-year-old Dakshina Bharat Hindi Prachar Sabha, based in Chennai, also proves this. In the Sabha’s centenary year, Tamil Nadu accounted for 73% of active Hindi pracharaks (teachers) in South India.

Out of necessity, many in the State have picked up conversational Hindi to engage with the migrant population that feeds the labour needs from factories to hair salons. The only compulsion is met with resistance.

THREE LANGUAGE FORMULA ACCORDING TO NEP 2020

Medium of instruction: Wherever possible, the medium of instruction until at least Grade 5, but preferably till Grade 8 and beyond it will be the home language/mother-tongue/local language/regional language.

The three-language formula will continue to be implemented to promote multilingualism as well as promote national unity.

NEP states that there will be greater flexibility in the three-language formula. But no language will be imposed on any State.

To learn three languages will be the choice of States, regions, and students themselves, as long as at least two of the three languages are native to India.

According to the HRD Ministry of Education, the three-language formula will continue to be implemented in schools "with greater flexibility" but "no language will be imposed on any state."

PROS AND CONS OF BILINGUAL/MULTILINGUAL EDUCATION:

CONCLUSION

Though the three-language formula is well intended to bring about national unity by bridging the linguistic gap between the states. However, it is not the only option available to integrate the ethnic diversity of India. States like Tamil Nadu with their own language policy have managed not only to enhance the education standard levels but also promote national integrity even without adopting the three language formula. Hence, providing the autonomy of the state in the language policy seems to be a much more viable option than the homogenous imposition of three language formulas all over India.

Though English is a foreign language imposed, that is past. Now in the present English, our common language is no longer foreign, it is the global link language. There is absolutely no place for chauvinism in new India.