Let Us upgrade Marathi Language into a “Language of Knowledge”, Upcoming Challenges and Solutions
The ancient ‘Mother Tongue Marathi’ language, which was founded more than 2,500 years ago, has now been recognized as a classical language. For this, number of linguistic experts have demonstrated inferences, yardsticks and benchmarks and made immense efforts. From the rock-inscriptions to linguistic cluster of ancient to modern books and literature spanning through centuries. Only after recognizing its preciousness and acknowledgement of its originality, its essence and strength, Marathi has now been recognized as Noble Language.
We have been the students appearing for our school’s Final examinations in Marathi medium only. Then onwards, at Snail’s pace, significance and importance of English Medium increased. However we studied all science subjects entirely in fluent Marathi only.
Our extraneous readings included biographies of many great personalities in Marathi, history and geography, science- stories, reading books, and multiple types of literature and books on the subject of language, whatever that we read, all was mostly in Marathi Language. Since English learning appeared in our syllabus from the 5th standard, its grammar became firmed up in the 8th and 9th standard.
While studying Physics, Chemistry and Biology in Marathi language, their foundations became strong. After joining University College, its explanation was found to be somewhat difficult but since we had strong foundation of the same subjects, with some diligence and efforts we could get the Medical Degree.
The question is since Marathi language has achieved the status of ‘Classical language’, whether enrollment in Marathi Schools will increase? Even when Parents interact with their Kids, how will they use Marathi Words?
The question arises, whether Marathi language is disappearing from circulation”? Who is responsible for this? Parents, Teachers or people in daily contact?
But without losing courage, we want to protect the nobility of this Marathi language by developing new ideas and Plans. Hence would wish to say:
With companionship of Education, wisdom must be acquired but above this Language of Knowledge must achieve Accretion.
• In the digital – computer age, we need to be open to using other digital tools we must become Mature enough
• We need to study the appropriate historical Proof and experience accumulated and acquired from ancient times.
· Marathi language, enriched by Saint’s Literature and by Literary Achievements now should be written and read in Cultural and Commercial fields.
• Marathi should be used freely on Televisions and other mass communication media without any obstructions.
• Marathi and other local languages of rural areas if and when understood and accepted as part of the ‘Marathi as Knowledge language’, it should preserve and protect folk art, dance music and its cultural identity should be preserved.
• The common man does not understand the Direction without making and implementing laws and regulations.
• If Marathi language is used primarily in all the social Fields, Research Fields, Scientific and historical fields, it will be easier gain its acceptance as ‘language of knowledge’.
• Just as efforts have been made to make Marathi as Ancient- Nobel Language, it is necessary to provide all the judicial encouragement to it in the government sector. Cumbersome words are not required; instead, its comprehension through usage of it in mother tongue must is necessary. The language of those who write and read do not necessarily have to be fluent, but it should be scientific, ideologically competent, and conscious.
· Now for time being, let’s see what small and big problems arise if we study and get educated in this Language of knowledge (Dnyan-Bhasha).
• There should be close coordination between parent-teacher-child. In order for the student to understand, comprehend and become mature enough to make proper presentation workshop of them should be formed or conducted.
• The ‘Dnyan-Bhasha’ (Language of Knowledge) should not be subjugated to ‘Blind Faith’. Students should be in a position to utilize their Prudence. For illustration, they should be able to critically evaluate circumambulation and fasting and other rituals.
• To find alternative words may seem difficult at times. The right word needs the right translation. For this, the right high grade translators and is real invocation.
• Training – Teachers, students and Guardians should not face shortages of tools and appliances. All means must have proper Grade. Its Technology must have proper Usage.
• In industrial sector making or preparation of proper trainers, Updating the Text Books, though it is difficult it is not impossible.
• If Government, rather than considering it as its duty we work with interest rather than considering it as a duty, this plan to instill it as ‘Knowledge Language’ can be implemented in numerous fields.
• To make the usage of language lucid, intelligible, appropriate, and easy, excellent Association of linguistic experts and professors must be done.
Linguistic transaction and interactions is an indispensable part of human life. The circumference of language learning is also very wide. This learning to transform it from its classical form into Language of Knowledge, efforts will have to be made on various levels, by multiple ways and through variety of means but this is not impossible or non achievable. It is true and correct to state that by usage of English language we have become wise, knowledgeable and mature, in few years time we will enrich our mother tongue Marathi with the intense desire to decorate it with ornaments of knowledge. The lines of poet ‘Kusama-Graj’ (Mr. Vishnu. Vaman . Shirwadkar) will definitely lead and take us forward in this regard with following four steps.
Become proficient in foreign language, also
Do it through knowledge- penance.
My Mother Marathi is dying here
Hence do not press and rub the feet of the alien
When the language dies, the Nation also dies
The Lamp of Culture also extinguishes.
By becoming slave of a language
Do not slice Head of your progress..
Dr. Rashmi Fadanvis is an Obstetrician-Gynecologist, Working at ‘Jeevan Vikas Kendr’, Granth Sangrahalay, Secretary: ‘Lokmany Seva Sangh, Parle.Email: [email protected]
English Translation by –Anil Pundlik Gokhale
