Language leverage

Language is the dress of thought. (Samuel Johnson). What does any language do? In precise terms, language is a body of words that are either written or spoken, between people. It is through language that one discovers, gains, and collects knowledge. Languages are several with numerous dialects. Everyday life is dependent on language. To God, I speak Spanish, to women Italian, to men French and to my horse, German, is a remark attributed to Lord Chesterfield( in Charles V.). A Philosopher’s view is, “… the limits of language are limits of knowledge.” The potential of language is that it can also transcend beyond geographical limits, cultures and societies.

Bonding through language creates friendship, leading to economic and social benefits. Language is fossil poetry (R. Emerson). It is all about the use of words in a structured and conventional way.

Language is a sensitive issue. In the business and corporate world, what language should be spoken? On most occasions the preferred use of English as the medium of communication, overrides the use of ‘national language’. And to make things worse, in many countries, nations and societies, the national language, is different from the mother tongue of the populace. Pothongwa (Mandarin) is Chinese, so is Guangdouqwa (Cantonese), but their respective speakers, not only can’t speak each other’s Chinese, they also don’t understand it. That is to say a person from South China cannot communicate with their Northern counterparts unless they both speak the same dialect. Some corporate cultures define the language that must be spoken at the office. The choice of language can be challenging for many staff members. Because of enslavement mentality, corporates in Pakistan get away by demanding its staff to speak in English. Ask any multinational company to do so, say in France, there would be a corporate rebellion. A corporate must choose the language that is understood by all. There is no harm to keep bi-lingual order. Considering that, English is spoken universally, but giving an advantage to a staff member, who speaks fluent English, is, in my view, callous injustice. We witness day in and day out that individuals resort to English speaking, for impressing others – it is bearable when such a person knows the language; it becomes comical, when those who are not proficient at it, indulge unashamedly, and that too, with a put-on accent . I have personally experienced by witnessing ordinary compatriots even changing their exclamation remarks in conversations to ‘O’ Jesus’! or “Holy Christ” and to many more ‘unprintable 'ones - a horrid assumption of a not so good part of behavior. This must be avoided at all costs. Such veneer on the personality is very thinly walled, and cracks become visible, at the first spoken word.

Reverting to the point of speaking English at the office, it is significant to analyse the following:

• Is it necessary to converse in English in the Pakistani environment when we all understand our national language?

• Can one grow professionally without being fluent in the English language?

• Is it akin to professionalism to be conversing in English? Or does the native Urdu language not account for enough professionalism?

• Should all the candidates seeking employment need to be tested on English language proficiency?

Personally, I subscribe to the view that English should be a secondary language at the office; the native language must take precedence and not for emotional reasons, but for the fact that local language is fairly and widely understood. It helps the staffers clearly understand their job descriptions and what is expected of them in terms of performance. The common language should be the lingua franca of the institution. Nations that pride themselves in their national language rise to their respective glories. Despite having good proficiency, no two Germans, Japanese, Chinese or French, would ever speak to each other in English, but most of us (Pakistanis) love to and this is done to look down upon those who cannot – the elitist mentality!

Professionalism is not captive to any language per se. You can still be a great professional, without the knowledge of English, as long as you have the necessary skill set. I have interviewed many candidates, who could speak impeccable English but offered zero substance. Their speech had a lot of gibberish and little of relevance. So, what use is such knowledge of English? Only a waste! It doesn’t help to be a professional, in isolation.

If an organisation, say a financial institution, has openings for “tellers” – keep in mind that this function is of critical importance in terms of quality customer services-- , while hiring them, what should be the focus, proficiency in English or efficiency in cash counting, verification etc. My personal assertion is that since there is no likelihood of the “tellers” making speeches or interacting with an “audience”, don’t reject his/her candidature for reasons of English language inadequacy; hire, if they are proficient in their skills, as tellers – English helps, but shouldn’t be a ‘criterion’ for induction or rejection. So, in such cases, there is no need to test their verbal or written English communication skills.

We lose talent because of English language inadequacies, in spoken and written formats. Why can’t those, who speak the national language and have a sound transactional exposure, be hired. I have come across, many talented information technology (IT) experts, who spoke and wrote horrible English but were extremely proficient at their trade and had the expertise that were on point. English proficiency is not the primary trait required for IT experts. They have to deliver goods in keeping the hardware and software up and running on top of providing excellent troubleshooting support.

In hiring, be clear on the job description; if it requires skills in English or in French, then test the candidate for the same; otherwise you know that you are hiring an officer to do routine work and not for playing the part of a “spokesperson” for the institution. If you are not hiring people to make speeches, either in English or even in Urdu, then test the candidate on the skills required for the assignment. I have seen human resource people, ask a candidate who specialises say, in air-conditioning operations to write an essay on Putin-Donald Trump Helsinki Summit --what? Are we sending him to the United Nations? That’s exactly what I asked when I saw a similar incident happening at a bank I used to work for.

There is no harm in learning English as a universally acceptable language. The need and importance for a common language that cuts across geographic, cultural, social and economic boundaries cannot be underestimated. Hence English has an advantage of significance, but statistics show otherwise. Four out of five people do not speak English! Only 7 percent of the global population speaks English.!!

It cannot be denied that it is English language that becomes a passport to discovering new cultures. It helps to create economic opportunities. It is also a fact, even English has its own native regional and international nuances – George Bernard Shaw had rightly remarked, “England and United States are two countries divided by a common language.”

Ideas require language. It is also important to discover the language you dream in. Is it the national language or English? Its determination leads to an indication of the proficiency that can be achieved. It is generally believed that you become proficient in a language only if you dream in the language you speak. Adequacy or inadequacy of a language determines its usage; both in a conscious state and at a sub- conscious level.

Not many medical or engineering or management books are available in, say Urdu; so our students are compelled to read them in English. The official announcements and standard operating procedures are generally in English, which creates a demand for this language. Common language leads towards social solidarity. John Stuart Mill says, “Language is the light of mind.” Limits in language, limit the knowledge of the world. Languages, ought to be learnt, not for acquisition of elitist status but for seeking diverse knowledge. Languages are the pedigree of civilizations and nations and any violation of it is next to criminality.

Personally, I am not against learning English or for that matter, any language. To achieve and polish business English, it is necessary to read English newspapers, magazines, journals, etc. and for improving pronunciation, listen at least 45 minutes each day to the news on BBC, it will also add to your fund of vocabulary. I believe, all youngsters must opt to learn English for its universal usage. To practice spoken English, sit in the company of those who speak the language well. Set a goal for yourself that in your next multi-media presentation before your boss/board, you shall not utter a single word outside the English language.

In conclusion, without hesitation, I am against English language in Pakistan’s context, if its inadequacy in a person, puts him/her into a disadvantage in seeking a job. Lack of fluency or knowledge of any language shouldn’t be a tool for injustice; just as much as, ability to speak English should not give an unfair, biased, partiality-laced, advantage, to anybody.

The writer is a freelance columnist