1983-2011 Posted September 21, 2012 Posted September 21, 2012 Ahead of the ninth World Hindi Convention in Johannesburg, South Africa (Sep 22-24), it defies logic why Hindi, a language spoken by over half a billion people, or every 10th person on the planet, should feel threatened and require state protection to breathe normally. A popular language has its own ways of dealing with challenges and changing times. It can never be stunted. Languages have their own set of tools. With everything around it changing, it also grows by adding new words and phrases and by altering grammar when needed. Though not opposed to celebrating a language, I feel that organising Hindi Days or Weeks signals as if the language is on its death bed. In fact, it is quite the opposite. People know the strength of their language and are proud of it. For them, it expresses emotions and moves lives and markets. It does many more things beyond mere communication. Whether or not Hindi becomes one of the official languages at the UN is a different issue, inconsequential to its growth. If the state feels the language may add to national image, allowing India to play a bigger role globally, it should take up the cudgels. Unfortunately, this has not happened despite eight World Hindi Conventions over the last 30 years. According to rough calculations by the external affairs ministry, an investment of over Rs.100 crore is required to install Hindi at the UN as its sixth official language. The figure was given out at the time of the Suriname Hindi conference. But that is probably the easier part. For Hindi to be there at the UN it needs support of a desired number of General Assembly members and no opposition from the Big 5. The Johannesburg convention will pass resolutions and probably forget the issue for four years. The core issue, however, is the growth of Hindi at home. It definitely has wide reach but, sadly, does not show much sign of life in thought and content. The result is that while Hindi newspapers expand, Hindi books present a gloomy picture. Today Hindi books on an average have a print run of less than 500 copies. A book selling a thousand copies is called a bestseller! Also, it is probably the only language in the world where dictionaries and their usage do not get the importance it deserves. The last proper Hindi dictionary was published in the last century, nearly 30 years ago. Like all languages Hindi has acquired many new words, but they do not figure in its dictionaries. On the reverse, languages shed archaic words. They, however, keep a link and do not lose them permanently. A recent study suggests that, on a conservative estimate, Hindi has lost over 10,000 words in the last 150 years, since the first war of independence in 1857. The language has not even mourned the loss of the treasure, let alone compile them for posterity. Hindi certainly requires a 'Dictionary Mission' as a first step towards realising its global ambitions. And if the state wants Hindi to be a powerhouse to draw energy from, it should make the initial move. Leaving its execution and distribution entirely in private hands may defeat the purpose. http://www.dnaindia.com/india/comment_why-is-hindi-not-at-the-united-nations_1743413
Lurker Posted September 21, 2012 Posted September 21, 2012 Because: a) We are retards. b) Even an article celebrating Hindi is written in English! Sums it up.
Trichromatic Posted September 21, 2012 Posted September 21, 2012 Hindi is not acceptable even in whole India. :dontknow:
Crookbond Posted September 21, 2012 Posted September 21, 2012 Where should a language stand in the priority queue when millions die of hunger due to lack of food grain storage?
Clarke Posted September 21, 2012 Posted September 21, 2012 Because it doesn't matter. A more relevant question is why India can't be a permanent member of the Security Council ? Before this decade ends we shall overtake three of the five members in economic terms and we're almost there in military terms.
Lurker Posted September 21, 2012 Posted September 21, 2012 Always thought I had more affinity for Hindi than I did for Hindus.
maniac Posted September 21, 2012 Posted September 21, 2012 Native Hindi speaker...Mispronounces basic English words-Let aj aall loff at heem :hysterical::hysterical: Acts all cool,throws pop culture references from U.S,UK-The guy is da shitz fo shizzle ma nizzle So why would you want to put someone who is low on confidence and has been made fun all his life...a dehaati gawaar in the united nations speakingi n Hindi :mad:
Lurker Posted September 21, 2012 Posted September 21, 2012 ^^ Abbe daroo maar ke Friday start kiya kya?? Kuch nahin chamka post mein! :headshake::headshake:
Khalpat Posted September 21, 2012 Posted September 21, 2012 Native Hindi speaker...Mispronounces basic English words-Let aj aall loff at heem :hysterical::hysterical: Acts all cool,throws pop culture references from U.S,UK-The guy is da shitz fo shizzle ma nizzle So why would you want to put someone who is low on confidence and has been made fun all his life...a dehaati gawaar in the united nations speakingi n Hindi :mad: :hmmmm2: Ye kya hai bhai.
Trichromatic Posted September 21, 2012 Posted September 21, 2012 Reminds me of an incident on Wednesday. A girl was asking a rikshawwala about something in English and he was giving totally confused look. When she continued speaking in English, someone commented, "Angrez chale gaye aur apne peechhe inko chhor gaye". After that she realized it's better to use Hindi on the road.
Yoda-esque Posted September 21, 2012 Posted September 21, 2012 How many people speak pure Hindi..Its more of Hindustani that is spoken.
Trichromatic Posted September 21, 2012 Posted September 21, 2012 Which city is this Vibhash? Kolkata.
Lurker Posted September 21, 2012 Posted September 21, 2012 Kolkata. You must be kidding me. Surely hindi is spoken only in bihar and UP.
Nova Posted September 21, 2012 Posted September 21, 2012 Please play bollywood music also at UN...yeh halkat jawani....
Crookbond Posted September 21, 2012 Posted September 21, 2012 Kolkata. How common is Hindi in Kolkatta?
Yoda-esque Posted September 21, 2012 Posted September 21, 2012 Reminds me of an incident on Wednesday. A girl was asking a rikshawwala about something in English and he was giving totally confused look. When she continued speaking in English' date= someone commented, "Angrez chale gaye aur apne peechhe inko chhor gaye". After that she realized it's better to use Hindi on the road. Well In a sense, Kolkata is one big city that still has the most colonial hangover...
Trichromatic Posted September 21, 2012 Posted September 21, 2012 How common is Hindi in Kolkatta? Almost everyone understands Hindi. I have met only 1 person (electrician probably) so far who can't speak Hindi even a little bit.
maniac Posted September 21, 2012 Posted September 21, 2012 :hmmmm2: Ye kya hai bhai. ^^ Abbe daroo maar ke Friday start kiya kya?? Kuch nahin chamka post mein! :headshake::headshake: Mere kehney ka yeh matbal tha ki hum khud apni rashtra-bhasha ko samman nahi detey tho antarrashtriya sthar par uska kya samman hoga? Thoda Sense of Humor ineffective bouncer ke jaisa byes ke liye chale gaya :--D Most leaders from Non-English speaking nations have an interpreter translate for them....I am sure most of them can speak the language but our leaders are measured on their English oratory skills
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