2003

Versatile languages

Sir: With regard to the Home Secretary’s comments on the language that people speak at home (Letters, 17  September), a child that is fluent in his or her mother tongue is well equipped to learn other languages.

I have always insisted that our children speak in our mother tongue, Gujarati, at home. Both my children have achieved excellent grades in English. While an ability to be fluent in English is absolutely essential not only in this country but, increasingly, globally, it should not be at the expense of other languages. Indeed, if there is one weakness in the English language then it is perhaps that it is not versatile enough to express all human emotions.

In Sanskrit there are over a dozen words for ”water” and the Indic languages.like Hindi which has its origins in Sanskrit-enjoy this versatility of expression. Anyone who is familiar with Bollywood songs will concur. Sanskrit is indeed known as the mother of Indo-European languages. Let all languages thrive-the world be richer for it.

NITIN MEHTA
Indian Cultural Centre
Croydon, Greater , London