Skip to main content

My Views on “Socio-Cultural Dimensions of English as a Second Language” – Rekha Aslam

Namaste! Friends,

My interpretation on Rekha Aslam’s research paper is presented in this blog.

“Socio-Cultural Dimensions of English as a Second Language” – Rekha Aslam (University of Delhi)


This research paper describes how English is made to fulfil the function of a Second language. The transition is shown with the examples from “Fire on the Mountain” by Anita Desai, “Nector in a Sieve” by Kamala Markandaya and R.K.Narayan’s “The Dark Room”.

As we know English is taught as a Second Language in India so manipulation with English is possible.


Let’s first see some of the characteristics of Second Language highlighted by Rekha Aslam:-
1.)   A Second Language is a language which is one’s own, though not the first in order of importance nor usually the first to be learnt.
2.)    A Second Language is used as an alternative way of expressing a culture of one’s own.   
3.) A Second Language produces bilinguals with active and creative interest.





Language and culture are inseparably connected. Language reflects culture. So there are many words which cannot be translated in English. And if we do so, it will lose the essence. Language is deeply rooted in the socio-cultural, religious etc.

Of course some of the Indian words do have their meaning available in English. For example: “Saree” (the dress of female) but again it might not convey the exact emotions. According to Rekha Aslam, the Indian writers would keep Saree as “Saree” in their work to connect themselves with the readers.

 She has also highlighted the method of expressing the Indian reality is to use a translation on the basis of Semantics. Even if your translation is grammatically flawless, you cannot convey the exact feel of the words.

Let’s take a Hindi Dialogue as an example:-
Dialogue from the film – Om Shanti Om.

“Ek Chutki Sindoor ki Keemat Tum Kya Jaano, Ramesh Babu?
Ishwar Ka Aashirwaad Hota Hai Ek Chutki Sindoor.
Suhagan Ke Sar Ka Taaj Hota Hai Ek Chutki Sindoor.
Har Aurat Ka Khwaab Hota Hai Ek Chutki Sindoor.”


The words like ‘Suhagan’, ‘Sindoor’ cannot be translated as these words are not just words. They are our cultural concepts. You may translate ‘Sindoor’ as red powder but you cannot explain the cultural concept.


There are two drawbacks also of using English in Indian Cultural context. You cannot freely express your cultural aspects as you can do it in your First language. And sometimes Indlish (Indian English) can exploit the discourse.

For example: Many times we find this kind of conversation.
A: - Come let’s go for a movie?
B: - Na re baba na. I have lots of work to do.
Now what’s this??? ‘re’, ‘baba’. The answer can be simple. No, I Can’t.

You should be careful while using creativity with language.

Thus, Rekha Aslam deals with the creative dimensions of English, Second Language in India. She helps us to see how the socio-cultural reality manifested at many levels of Language.



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

"RIP"; Rest in Peace those who are Alive....

Hello Friends, After a long time I am writing here. Hope you all are fine. This time I have come up with a different interpretation of the phrase “RIP”. Mostly this phrase “RIP”; Rest in Peace is used for the people who are no more. We use this phrase to give sympathy towards the departed soul. The soul may get peace wherever it travels. No one exactly knows where the soul travels. Sometimes this phrase is used out of care and sometimes just for show off on social media. While sitting alone near a cemetery, a thought struck in my mind. Why do we use RIP only for dead people????? We can also use it for those who are alive. Many time people use RIP when a person is dead. The same people might have harassed the dead person when he is alive. So what’s the point of “RIP”? Suppose in the day time you behave very badly with someone. Is he/she going to get sound and peaceful sleep at night? The dead person will never come back so we just say “RIP”. Of course ever
Post a Comment
Read more

“My friend, the things that do attain” - Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey.

Hello friends, I would like to share a poem which I studied during my graduation. The title of the poem is “My friend, the things that do attain”. It is written by Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey. Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey (1516/1517 – 19 January 1547), was an English aristocrat, and one of the founders of English Renaissance poetry. MY friend, the things that do attain The happy life be these, I find: The riches left, not got with pain; The fruitful ground; the quiet mind; The equal friend; no grudge; no strife; No charge of rule, nor governance; Without disease, the healthy life; The household of continuance; The mean diet, no dainty fare; Wisdom joined with simpleness; The night discharged of all care, Where wine the wit may not oppress: The faithful wife, without debate; Such sleeps as may beguile the night; Content thyself with thine estate, Neither wish death, nor fear his might. In the above mentioned poem, there is a list
3 comments
Read more

" The Winged Word"- David Green

In my Graduation syllabus, I had a book named “ The Winged word”. This anthology is edited by David Green. It is anthology of poems compiled for the students of English literature in the B.A courses of Indian Universities. The chronological order, in which the poets are arranged in this book, helps the students to note the development of English poetry from one age to another. Referring to this book after a long time span, gives me a immense joy. There are many poems in this book. We were given some selected poems to study during three years of graduation. The poems which were in my syllabus are as follow:-    1.)   I Find No Peace – Sir Thomas Wyatt (1503-42)    2.) My Friend, the Things That Do Attain –Henry Howard (1517- 47)    3.) The Nymph’s Reply to the Shepherd –Sir Walter Ralegh (1552-1618)    4.) The Nightingale – Sir Philip Sidney (1554- 86)    5.) Since There’s No Help – Michael Drayton (1563- 1613)    6.) Sonnet No.116 – Willi
5 comments
Read more