English needs to be treated as local language: Prof Mohanty

Hyderabad: The English Dept of Maulana Azad National Urdu University conducted the 4^th National Conference on"Language, Literature, and Society". The Dean, Prof Panchanan Mohanty, School of Humanities, the University of Hyderabad was also present there.

The professor remarked, "French is the language of France, Spanish is the language of Spain but Hindustani is not the language of Hindustan."

Prof C R Vishweshwara Rao, former VC of Vikramasimhapuri University inaugurated the conference.

Continuing his speech, Prof Mohanty told that only 4 percent of Indians speak English but this language keeps the entire country united. There are 22 scheduled languages which 96.6 percent people speak. He felt the need for research on Indian English.

He told that if Indian English is recognized as an Indian language, it could be taught as a local language instead of a foreign language. Teaching English through another language is one of the basic difficulties of acquisition of this language. English should be taught without the intervention of any other language as we teach our mother tongue.

Prof Vishweshwara Rao reviewed the critical thought process right from Aristophanes to the modern historians. He told that society was construed in the context of the development of Literature. Now it is being considered as a literary text.

Prof Naseemuddin Farees, Dean, School of Languages, Linguistics and Indology applauded the efforts of the Dept of English of MANUU for organizing this conference. By selecting the topic as "Language, Literature, and Society", the conference has been made very valuable.

Dr Shugufta Shaheen, Head of the Dept of English, MANUU told that society is the mirror of Literature and hence the important task of Literature is to promote Human values.

The issue of theoretical principles and aesthetic values which have been engaging the attention of the writers right from the ancient times is continued in the modern era also. Thus, it becomes essential to organize Literary discussion and discourses like this.

(Inputs from The Siasat Daily)