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.