Importance of English Language in Pakistan

Importance of English Language in Pakistan

INTRODUCTION

L
anguage is the proper and systematic way of communication between individuals. It is the tool, with which he
conducts his business in the society. It is a vehicle, by which different subject matters are transmitted. A person
must know something of the structure of his language, its position in the world and its relation to other tongues.
A language lives in a society so long as people speak it and use it as their native tongue. A language is important
because the people who speak it are important politically, socially, commercially, economically and
culturally. Importance of English language is doubtlessly great. It is spoken by more than Three-hundred-forty
(340) million people as a first language in United Kingdom and theUnited States. The better the focus on
language the more civilized people become. Every language represents a complete different background of
people, culture, ethnicity or region. Similarly English language has progressed to such an extent that it is the
most widely understood language in the world with French as the runner up. English is widely used as an
international language throughout the world. It is one of the official languages, even in most of the countries of
the third world. It is also used for international communication.English is the highly developed language which
has the ability to express ideas and it is the means of revelation of modern civilization.
Importance of English language is due to its international use. It is a fact that a vast knowledge of the universe
has been demonstrated in this language. For the achievement of that knowledge, it is essential to understand this
international language. We may assume that it shares with the other highly developed languages of Europe the
ability to express the multiplicity of ideas and the refinement of thoughts that demand expression in our modern
civilization. In this modern age when electronic media has widely spread all over the world, it is necessary to
have the knowledge of this language because it is the medium of communication and a person, lacking the
knowledge of this language cant get awareness of the universal knowledge. As it is obvious that the universal
exploration is mostly revealed in this language, so its worth cant be descended.
It is the age of scientific advancement and mechanical approach, the subject matter of which is demonstrated
in English language, so it is an essential necessity of the people to learn this language. English has proved itself,
as a torch-bearing to the nations of the third world. It is contemplated as the means of ascending knowledge.
On the other hand, English has been the part of our nations history from the beginning .Clearly we cannot deny
its importance in our life. Over the years, English language has become one of our principal assets in getting a
global leadership. English language is one tool to establish our viewpoint. We can learn from others experience.
We can check the theories of foreigners against our experience. We can reject the untenable and accept the
tenable. We can also propagate our theories among the international audience and readers. We can make use
of English to promote our worldview and spiritual heritage throughout the globe. Yes, other languages are
important too, but not for the same reasons as English are important. English is important because it is, maybe,
the only language that truly links the whole world together. If not for English, the whole world may not be as
united as it is today. The other languages may be important for their local values and culture.
ENGLISH AND SUBCONTINENT:
British came in sub-continent for trade but ultimately invaded it. Muslims opposed them but Hindus favored
them. Hindus got the English education whereas Muslims due to hatred feelings for British did not learnEnglish.
Hindus took benefit of it and came closer to the British due to convenience in communication. It was also clear
in history that ignoring the leading language would prove harmful to us so it is now.
SIR SYED AND ENGLISH:

Leaders like Sir Syed Ahmad Khan played a vital role for the development of English in subcontinent especially
for Muslims. He emphasized on the importance of learning English language to have better communication with
the British because they were the ruling nation. He published bi-lingual newspaper inEnglish and Urdu and also
made arrangements for Muslims to get scientific knowledge in English. That was the time
when English language started spreading in sub-continent and grew its roots stronger and stronger. Sir Syed
never emphasized on turning culture and changing norms of our society but simply said that
learningEnglish would prove beneficial. This was right afterwards.
DISCUSSION
SignificanceofEnglish:NoonecandenytheimportanceofEnglishinmodernworld.Itsimportanceisnot
confinedtoprofessionalsandstudentssolelybutitisalsoveryimportantforcommonpeopleevenhouse
wives.Itisduetothegreatimportanceofthisinternationallanguagethatourgovernmentmakeit
compulsorysubjectinthecourseofstudents.Besidesitsacademicimportanceapersonischaracterized
asilliteratewhocantspeakEnglishwell.Englishistheinternationallanguageasonecanfindpeoplewho
understandthatlanguageinallpartsoftheworld.Itisalsothelanguageofinternetandinternational
media.AlthoughUrduistheofficiallanguageofPakistanbutEnglishisthelanguagewhichisformally
usedinallprivateandgovernmentofficials.SkillofEnglishlanguagehelpsstudentsinfindingahigh
qualityjob.InbusinesslifethemostimportantcommonlanguageisobviouslyEnglish.Inadditiontothis,
especiallyhighqualityjobsneedgoodunderstandingabilityandspeakingskillsinEnglish.Therefore
companiescaneasilyopenouttoothercountriesandthesecompaniesgenerallyemployeegraduates
whoseEnglishisfluentandorderly.Forexample,astudent,whoisgraduatedfromauniversitywhich
takesEnglishasamajorlanguagewillfindabetterandhighqualityjobthanotherstudentswhodont
knowEnglishadequately.Inotherwords,thestudentwhoknowsEnglishwillbemoreefficientinhisjob
becausehecanusetheinformationfromforeignsourcesandwebsites.Hecanpreparehisassignments
andtaskswiththehelpofthisinformation.Inadditionmanyhighqualityjobsarerelatedwith
internationalcommunicationandworldwidedatasharing.Peopleworkinginaninternationalcompany
havetoknowEnglishinordertocommunicatewithforeignworkers.EnglishistheInternational
Languageandisoneofthemostpopularandmostspokeninthetechnologyworld.Thelatestandthe
mostadvanceddiscoveriesandinventionsinscienceandtechnologyarebeingmadeintheuniversities
locatedintheUnitedStatesofAmericawhereEnglishlanguageisthemeansofscientificdiscourse.We
needtoknowEnglishlanguageinordertostudyanysciencesubjectoranycomputerlanguage.Itissaid
thatChinaisdevelopingitsownresourcesinthefieldsofscienceandtechnologywithoutlearningany
foreignlanguageincludingEnglish.Butforeigncountriesputblameonitthatallsuchformulashadbeen
stolenbyitandthesearenotChinasowninventions.Sowithoutunderstandingtheforeignsciencethatis
inEnglishlanguage,Chinapreferstocopyoutthethings.Butnowwecanseethatchinaisalsotryingto
learnEnglishasasecondarylanguageinitscountry.Formanyjournaliststoday,Englishisthemain
languageusedfornewspapersormagazines,radio,televisionortheinternet.Ajournalisthastotake
interviewsfromforeignleadersontheirvisittoPakistanorifthatjournalisthastotakeinterviewsfrom
thembygoingabroadhimself;forthispurpose,Englishisagreatnecessitytobeknownbyjournalists.
Radiohasbecomequitefamousamongyoungsters.Theyusedtolistentochannelsthatareentertaining
aswellaseducatingmediums.FM91andFM89arewellknownradiochannelsinPakistanwhichallow
manyoftheirprogramstobeonairinEnglish.So,radioandTVchannelswelcomepreferablythose
people,whocanwriteandspeakEnglishverywell.ItisquiteclearthatEnglishhasbecomeanecessity
today.Weneeditindifferentfieldsoflife.Thatswhyithasbecomeeasiertolearnmorethaneverbefore
withtheavailabilityofmanysourcestohelppeoplelearnveryeasily.SuchastheInternet,booksand
educationalinstituteswhichspreadaroundtheworld.DISADVANTAGES OF NOT HAVING ENGLISH
IN SOCIETY:

We belong to a developing country and it is the fact that the ruling language is always of developed
countries.so for the development and progress in every field of world we must follow the ruling language.in the
absence of this thinking; we can never explore this world truly. This is the reason that societies where the
modern language is not being followed remains cutoff from the progressing world. Similarly the person having

no command on English language faces too many problems at every step of his life. For example at school level
a student cannot compete with his fellow students who are well in English or doing O'level and A'level. Same is
the case in colleges and universities where most of the work you have to do or submit is inEnglish. And in an
environment like this only those can excel who have better skills in English Language. The story does not end
here the real problem starts from here when you are in field and about to find out a job. In a society like ours
where the language English is being treated as a special language since last few decades.
Even our personality evaluation totally depends on our listening, writing and spoken English skills, the better we
are the more we excel. So we can conclude that job opportunities are for those who are better in all these
aspects. So, your general knowledge and practical skills are not as much important as your command
overEnglish. Same is the case with abroad settled non-English people who find great difficulty in living and
communicating there. so, to avoid all these problems people from the very beginning are trying to admit their
children in English medium schools where they pay heavy fees just to excel in this standard. That is why the
poor people are still very far away from this language in our society and facing so many problems to move in
society.
All advanced knowledge in science, technology and medicine is available in English. The results of the latest
researches come to India through the medium of English. If we give up English, we will lag behind in the
higher fields of study. Today the world has become one family.
Comparison with other countries
INDIA
English is important for a number of reasons in a country like India because it is a land of diversity. Different
people speak different languages. A person of Tamil Nadu does not speak Hindi. So he can't understand Hindi of
a person from North India. However he can understand in English.
So English is a link language. Different people can communicate with one another with the help of English.
Secondly, all advanced knowledge in science, technology and medicine is available in English. The results of
the latest researches come to India through the medium of English. If we give up English, we will lag behind
in the higher fields of study. Today the world has become one family.
It is all due to English. English is an international language. English is the language of the Constitution, the
Supreme Court, the High Courts and official departments. English is now firmly rooted in the soil of India. It
has become a part of Indian life. Thus English has great importance for the integrity of India. It has to be second
language in our country for the better development of the country.
As per the data published by the 2011 census India has managed to achieve an effective literacy rate of 74.04
per cent in 2011. In the 2001 census the country's literacy rate stood at 64.8 percent.
CHINA
Due to its increasing population, the People Republic of China is currently an important provider of labor force,
as well as technology. The need for international acceptance is not so easy to satisfy; this is the main reason why
English is one of the most important foreign languages taught in China. The estimation is that the Chinese
willing to learn English are more numerous than the actual English native speakers. This is why the chance of
teaching English in China constitutes a viable option for many teachers. Jobs in China have begun to flourish
particularly since business English has become a generally accepted language and, thus, a language needed in
international transactions. The opportunity to teach English in China, thus, sounds more likable to latest
alumnae.
Literacy rate defined as knowledge of 1,500 Chinese characters in rural locations and 2,000 characters in urban
areas.
Before the Communist party took power in 1949, about 80% of Chinas population was illiterate. Enrollment
rate was below 20% for elementary school and about 6% of junior secondary school.
By 2008, adult illiteracy rate in China dropped to only 3.58%. Elementary school and junior secondary school
enrollment jumped to 99.5% and 98.5% respectively.
Today, Chinese youth (15-24 years) have a 99% literacy rate.
[UNICEF, 2004-2008 data]
BANGLADESH

On the one hand English language is dominantly present in every side of our national life while on the other
hand in Banglas constitution it is clearly declared that the language of the country is Bangla. In fact, nothing is
said about the status of English language in Banglas constitution. On one hand, economic activities in the
private companies are carried out in English while there is a government law (Bangla Procholon ain1987) that
government offices must use Bangla in their official works. So from the government point of view Bangla is the
national- official language of Bangladesh and English is the most important foreign language. But in reality
English is the second language of the country and in many places English is more important than Bangla in
Bangladesh.
Literacy Situation
At National level
5 years and over
57.53
Sub division-Rural
5 years and over
Can write a letter for communication (Literate) 54.19
Sub division-Urban
5 years and over
Can write a letter for communication (Literate) 68.40
Conclusion:Pakistan got independent 64 years ago but people are still dependent on their so called norms which
are a great obstacle in the progress of every field. Our system of society has forced the living of here to stay in
darkness of illiteracy.
Pakistans educational system especially in governmental sector focuses on grammar (tenses, parts of speech,
pair of words etc.) from 3 or 4 standard till masters degree. Though all above mentioned syllabus is very
important but we should also improve our vocabulary as well as accent. Limited vocabulary may devaluate a
person a many places and our even highly qualified students cant get what English people say.
Now days, English makes a personality strong although it becomes an essential part in every field of life. We
take an example of our film industry where they even cant understand a single word moreover cant pronounce
a single word in a proper way like meera even know the meaning of paparazzi photographers. Once she said
government appointed her as an ambassador of Canada but she even dont know Canada never have an
ambassador from showbiz. It shows that our studies system is not up to mark and we dont know the history as
well as current status of developed countries.
Another issue was highlighted by Pakistani media that Aitzaz Ahsan (senior lawyer of Supreme Court)
submitted a petition in Supreme Court in which he did a lot of grammar and spelling mistakes which shows the
standard of English language in Pakistan even at this high level. Many sectors of Pakistan for Instance business
class, media are trying to improve their standard to qualify for job

Solution is always better than a conclusion:We should remove the remedies rather than criticize them.
The matter of fact is we should have to improve our spoken skills.
We should improve our school system,
English language must be compulsory in every school.
We must improve our living standard because children spend 12 to 14 hours at their home.
Focusing on child education at the grass root level will help more effectively.
Adopt English as a language but not English culture as a trait.