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German teacher proud of speaking Urdu

By our correspondents
February 22, 2017

LAHORE

Germen expert on modern South Asian languages and literatures Dr Christina Oesterheld has said that English is not a superior language at all, it is unfortunate that people who speak their national language in Pakistan suffer from inferiority complex. It should not happen at all.

She said this while addressing a dialogue on Urdu language at Government College University (GCU) here on Tuesday.  “In Germany, the medium of education in schools is totally German and we are proud of that, so people of Pakistan should also take pride in their national language, Urdu, which, has very rich history and literature,” said Dr Christina who taught at the University of Heidelberg, Germany.

The Germen writer said English was not the best language, and there were other reasons, which were mostly economic, for its preference.   Dr Oesterheld, who speaks Urdu without using a single word of any other language in her speech, said she felt great pride in speaking Urdu.

She said she was very optimistic about the future of this language in South Asia and also in other parts of the world. She said that Urdu was well established as a link language between the speakers of different languages who did not feel comfortable with English.

“I don't see any threat to this position of Urdu in the near future,” she said. The Germen teacher, who did her PhD in Urdu literature from the Heidelberg, Germany, told the Government College University students and faculty members about her work on Qurratulain Hyder's novels, Mere Bhi Sanamkhane, Aag ka Darya and Akhir-i-Shab ke Hamsafar.

She also admired the beautiful historical architecture, music and cuisines of Pakistan, and called upon the students to be proud of them. She also briefed the students on the scholarship opportunities for research in Urdu literature in Germany.

Government College University Faculty of Social Sciences Dean Prof Dr Tahir Kamran and Faculty of Languages Dean Prof Dr Iqbal Shahid also addressed the ceremony and praised the literary work and translations done by Dr Oesterheld.