MEANING,
NATURE AND SCOPE OF ELT
The word ‘language’ has
been derived from the Latin word ‘lingua’ which means tongue. ‘Langue’ is the
French term which means a special form of speech. Man alone is endowed with the
power of speech. Man is able to generate various elements of the language.
A system of communication
consisting of sounds, words and grammar or the system of communication used by
people in a particular country or type of work.
Nature of a
Language: English
is a highly organized system which operates three systems.
1.
The system sounds – Phonology
2.
The system of word order – Syntax
3.
The system of meaning – Semantics
Language is a system
consisting of sounds, words and structures. It has to be learned. It is vocal
and a system of symbols. It is unique and it is for communication. Language is
dynamic and it always changes. It is based on culture and it is evolutionary in
nature. It involves the process of thinking. It adopts two main forms – oral
and written. The nature of language differs according to its geographical,
social and psychological basis.
Scope of
Language:
Learning English comes to our
help in drafting technically correct letters, reports or minutes of a meeting.
Many companies encourage their employees to sharpen their language skills as
part of on the job training. Also it helps getting their thoughts across a
multicultural workforce. Language is no more a barrier in connecting nations
and expanding projects. English is one such connecting link. It still runs
ahead in its race to acquire global supremacy. There is a growing need to
emerge with more creative methodologies that would empower a learner.
Exemplifying grammatical usage with audio-visual aids, conducting interactive
games and activities can go long way towards comfortable understanding and
inclination to learn a language. Real life simulating conversations and hearing
popular songs to improve pronunciation of difficult words can be effective for
example – visual tapes can encourage creative writing, reading self created
articles or blogging.
1.1 NATURE
OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE
1.
Uniqueness:
Every
language is unique in its own way. That is, it is different from other
languages in so many ways. No two languages are alike. They differ in sounds,
spelling and syntax. For example let us compare English with our own mother
tongue.
2.
Receptivity:
Another
unique nature of the English language which keeps it much higher than other
languages is its receptivity. It has accepted and is still ready to accept
words from almost all the languages of the world without any reservations.
Otherwise the English vocabulary would not have been so rich as it is today.
The words jungle, jamidar, salwar, kameez, duppata, sari, sultan, etc. are of Indian origin
which now finds a place in English vocabulary. Apart from these look at the
following words which have been borrowed from other languages and made an
integral part of English language.
3.
Heterogeneity:
Heterogeneity means consisting
of many kinds of words ancient, medieval and modern in the language at the same
time. On account of the receptivity of the English language we find a lot of
heterogeneity in the English language today. Words of different periods in the
history of English language still exist and they are widely used. Words like solitary,
behold,
melancholy,
lass
and strain
as used by Wordsworth in his poem
the ‘The Solitary Reaper’ are all
archaic words.
4. Fluidity:
Fluidity refers to the
ability to get changed easily and smoothly. English language in no period had
been static. It has been in the process of continuous change. Change is the
soul of English. A language that doesn’t change becomes a dead language in
course of time.
5.
Flexibility:
Flexibility
refers to the ease with which English language adjusts itself to change. The
ease with which the vernacular is mixed with the Englsh language is amazing.
Expressions like,
I like laddu very much.
We had idli for breakfast.
1.1.2
IMPORTANCE OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE
A.
English as a
Link Language:
India is a
multi-lingual country and the different states and regions have different
regional languages. There is no Indian language commonly known to all Indians.
In the absence of a common language English helped in the past in bringing the
people of India together in their freedom struggle.
B.
English as
the Language of Science & Technology:
English has provided India with a
link with the Western Science. Our regional languages are not yet fully
developed. The standard books on medicine, engineering, science, technology
etc. are available in English only. Official
Language Commission, “English is the
key to the store-house of knowledge not yet available in Indian languages, and
a window to the rapid progress of technology and scientific knowledge that is
constantly taking place in the world”.
C.
English as a
Library (Source) Language:
Advanced knowledge and excellent
literature of the world lie in books which are in English. Even if these books
were to be translated into the regional languages, the gap between the original
versions in English and their translations would be too wide to be able to keep
pace with. The Kothari Commission has suggested, “If we cannot
make English a living language in our country, it should be at least made a
library language. English as an important library language would play a vital
role in higher education. No student should be considered as qualified for a
degree, in particular, a Master’s degree unless he has acquired considerable
proficiency in English”.
D.
Knowledge of
English is a Passport for Employment:
Knowledge of
English keeps one on a higher pedestal than those around him/her when it comes
to the question of employment opportunities. In the words of S.K. Chatterji, “English is
preeminently the language which opens to us prospects of employment at home and
abroad and offers means of communication with other parts of the world”.
E.
English is a
Rich and Beautiful Language:
English, indeed is a rich and
beautiful language. To a writer it offers a vocabulary of more than half a
million words. It is a language which is highly expressive, flexible and
vigorous. Every kind of thought whether simple or complex, plain or profound,
can be expressed in this language. To deny access to our future generation to a
language and literature with the richness, variety and excellence as English
amounts to courting intellectual starvation.
F.
English is a
Window on the World;
Referring to the importance of
English Pandit Nehru once said, “Our major window on the world”. Indeed it is a
window to world knowledge and a gateway to the twentieth century thought and
culture. In the words of to the twentieth century thought and culture. In the
words of Prof. Radhakrishnan, “If under sentimental urges we give up English we
could cut ourselves off from the living stream of ever growing knowledge.
According to F.G. French, “A
Traveler who can speak English will find somebody who can understand him
whenever he may go. Anyone who can read English can keep in touch with the
whole world without leaving his own house”.
