Rather than marginalizing native language speakers, we must uplift and support them in their linguistic journey, recognizing the cultural richness and heritage embedded in these languages

A while back, I was at Srinagar Airport waiting to pick someone up. There were other people there waiting for their loved ones too. Among them, I noticed two adorable kids. While everyone was passing the time, a group of women began playing with the kids. One of the kids stayed close to her mother, quiet and reserved. The other child, however, was exploring around. The women focused on playing with this active child.
After a while, the quiet kid surprised everyone by conversing fluently in English with a British accent. It turned out she had grown up in London after her family moved there from Kashmir. This caught everyone’s attention, and they were amazed as if hearing English for the first time.
At that moment, the women shifted their attention from the previously playful child to the English-speaking one, leaving the former unnoticed. The English-speaking child received all the admiration and affection from the onlookers, while the child speaking in the Kashmiri language was no longer the centre of attention. It was almost as if they were treating the English-speaking child like an extraordinary being, showering her with respect and love.
After watching this scene, memories of my history lessons from school flooded back. Back then, we often overlooked our teachers’ lessons, but as time passed, everything started falling into place. I began contemplating how colonialism ravaged cultures and the fundamental strategies employed by colonizers. Among these strategies, language emerged as their primary target. It is widely acknowledged that during colonization, colonizers frequently imposed their language on the indigenous peoples, often forbidding them from using their native tongues. In certain instances, native languages were systematically prohibited. Numerous writers recount stories of students facing discrimination, humiliation, or even physical punishment for speaking their native languages in colonial schools. This phenomenon is known as linguistic imperialism or language colonialism.
An exemplary instance of linguistic imperialism is the global dominance of English. Between the 16th and 19th centuries, the British colonized numerous territories, imposing English as the official language. Similarly, European language colonialism was rampant during the same period. European powers aimed to replicate their home countries in the territories they colonized, exerting significant cultural, economic, and political influence through early modern colonialism. Language played a pivotal role in facilitating their colonial endeavours.
Throughout history, rulers have consistently targeted the language of a country when seeking to assert control. It’s widely believed that undermining a culture and its identity begins with eradicating its language. For instance, British rulers prioritised English in India’s education, government, and policies, neglecting other major Indian languages. Initially, the English language was forced upon colonies by colonizers solely for domination and control.
It’s disheartening that despite the abundance of historical resources and knowledge, many overlook the imperative of preserving native languages. Take Kashmir, for example, where the younger generation is growing increasingly distant from their mother tongue. Regrettably, schools and parents often enforce the use of only English or Urdu, stigmatizing Kashmiri as primitive. Speaking Kashmiri is discouraged in public, schools, and even at home, reinforcing the misconception that it signifies ignorance or backwardness. This prevailing attitude is a poignant reflection of the current situation in Kashmir.
Unfortunately, some parents feel offended when someone speaks to their children in Kashmiri Language. They insist that people speak to them in Urdu instead of Kashmiri. There have been cases where teachers scolded students for using the Kashmiri language in schools. This is disheartening and poses a clear threat to our mother tongue.
It is said that preserving a language preserves one’s roots and culture. One significant downside of neglecting to teach our children their mother tongue is that they do not connect with the older generation. This is very common in Kashmiri families these days; the new generation does not speak Kashmiri, while their grandparents only know Kashmiri. Consequently, they struggle to communicate with each other, leading to the loss of the invaluable bond between grandparents and grandchildren. This loss is quite serious, and parents should be aware of its consequences.
The truth is, we often underestimate the consequences of forgetting our mother tongue. In the past, enforcing English and suppressing native languages required significant effort, power, and aggression. However, today, we are allowing our own thoughts to colonize us. We no longer require external colonizers to dominate us; instead, we bear the responsibility of eroding our language and identity.
Some years ago, DPS Srinagar organized a cultural program where students sang Kashmiri folk songs in their native language. The videos became viral on social media with surprising reactions. For instance, someone wrote, “I cannot believe my eyes, this is so lovely.” It’s perplexing why people were so shocked and amazed when the students sang in their mother tongue. This raises an important question that we need to ponder.
Emphasizing the significance of English in our modern world is undeniable, yet this should never overshadow the value of preserving and promoting our native languages. The human brain’s incredible capabilities allow for multilingualism, as seen in the proficiency of the average Kashmiri in multiple languages. It is incumbent upon parents and educators to instill in children a deep appreciation for their native tongue, such as Kashmiri, alongside other languages. Rather than marginalizing native language speakers, we must uplift and support them in their linguistic journey, recognizing the cultural richness and heritage embedded in these languages.
Syed Zameer Raza Safvi is a freelance writer. He can be reached at [email protected]

Syed Zameer Raza Safvi