| Originally posted by : Kaustubh |
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Hi Mythreya,
I dont fully agree with your view for the following reasons.........
1. Language is just a medium of communication. The underlying message is of utmost importance. We first need to master out domain knowledge / core skills ...language is secondary.
2. We were ruled by the British, so we learnt English. Had we been ruled by Spanish,Dutch or French, we would have hardly learnt English. I donot deny that English is a popular language, but at the same time there are so many countries which speak French / German / Spanish... For eg these are the languages very popular in South America, Africa apart from Europe.
3. Just to cite one example...I have worked in two MNC's.. I have seen people at the top most hierarchy not knowing English / not at all fluent in English...But still these guys are at the top because of their domain knowledge / skills.......
4. Take example of Japan. They are leaders in automobiles / engineering and many other industries...Their CEO's can hardly speak english........
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1.If language is just a medium and the underlying message only needs to be communicated in a languageless language-->You must be either a great messiah or a silent Avatar like Buddha to command such Charisma and respect.Even they used to give lengthy sermons(Budha's sermons are the foundation stones for Dhammapada) and talk in parables and stories of beauty(Jesus used to frequently talk in parables to emphasize a point.)
A person who is equal to you in analytical skills,domain knowledge and core skills but differentiates from you by way of language inasmucas speaking very good language and ALSO has tremendous communication skills(bedrock being a command over language and fluency;though one might argue that Communication is beyond language) would be million times in a better position to over-take you easily.Your top management wont say,"Look Kaustubh is weak in language and communication but his core skills are great and this other person in good in both,yet we should give a chance to the underdog,Kausthub and not the other person,so lets shoot for Kausthub...AYE AYE!"...*Sigh*..all these good things I wish for you to happen...Unfortunately, all these happen in Movies not real life!
The saying "Communication is beyond language" is all good to hear.But practically if you start a presentation like this:
The company A does this and that and this and that....blah blah blah...all you are doing is despite your 'domain knowledge' and core skills is put your audience to sleep....ZZZZZZZZ-Mode!
Whereas someone who has good fluency and a command over language,starts off with aplomb and style(first impression makes the audience sit up and notice),tells parables/anecdotes,some jokes,etc at the same time displays his analytical skills, will make the audience go Ga-Ga about him.(Normally people dont have the guts to crack a joke in a 'serious' presentation but this is what majorly differentiates good speakers from average speakers--the ability to intersperse humour into speech.)All this come from a good command of language easily.I accept all these traits can come about without language too.You can crack a joke or tell a story using mime-language,I accept this or Broken English, Agreed! I accept that and even more but then all I say,it comes easily with a good command over language.
There is a difference between a cricketer working out in the streets and becoming a great cricketer and someone who undergoes proper training,good diet,exercise-regimen,etc and becoming a great cricketer.Many take Sachin's example of playing street cricket and becoming a legend.
Many dont know that he became great only after he implemented serious net-sessions,regimented exrcises schedule,proper care for diet.Yes,there was some Raw-skill without which no one would find place in the Indian International Cricket Team.But then how the 'rawness' is professionally honed is yet another issue.
Romance is onething,practicality in real-world is different.
Its great... very very inspiring to hear Rags-to-riches stories.Even I accept that and it is also very humbling for people at the top.It gives me a proof of God's existence but though such stories are there they don't happen often.Often it is the person who is open-minded and willing to learn the language(of success not merely English or some working language) who will win.
2. These days even Chinese are aggressively teaching their current generation very good English(not Chinaman english).Days are changing,my friend.There are many 'if-onlys' in life but then I see only what is currently relevant.I do not want to go intoa revierie what would have been the case if India was ruled by Spaniards completely...what would have been the case if I had 100 crore rupees?...What would have been the case if I were to buy some property in future in moon...this is not possibility thinking...this is mere wishful thinking.
Statistically English dominates the world.Even countries where Spanish,French,German,etc are being spoken are taking pro-active steps to augment their English skills.And English being a workable and simple business language,is being fast adopted.We Indians despite having a rich heritage of English are shying away from this due to regionalism and factionism(and also political rhetoric by cunning politicians).
English is very relevant in uniting India and also a workable language for Business world.
My personal preference is for Sanskrit(samskruthaa) but then if I tell..."It would have been fantastic if the whole world speaks Sanskrit."..it is being very naiive,immature and wishful on my part.So, should I then cry hoarse about this thing? or adopt English as a tool,learn Sanskrit which remains my passion(and so is Chinese) and remain culturally active?
Again,Romance and wishful thinking is good but practicality in business world is another thing.A CA sees(rather, should see) first practicality more and not seep into wishful-imaginations of the capricious mind.
There are countries which go-by without English,I admit that.Japan.SouthKorea,etc,some countries in SouthAmerica.
But look at their gross income,business being done,etc(Especially of South America and Africa).
Statistics not always lies.
3. To reach to the top something of a different calibre is required.I accept it is not mere language skills or communication.Something more,something of a chutzpah,something of a killer-instinct,etc are needed.A greater amount of EQ is needed.My thread starts with that topic as in: EQ is the best among the three.I NEVER learn English and go to the top-management.I would be a distilled idiot if I say such things....These people whom you mention have good EQ.It has nothing to do anything with language skills.Maybe with better language skills they might even more higher than they are now.
Also, exceptions do not make the rule.For every one exception you show me,I show you 3 people who fit my bill of having both language skills and analytical skills/domainknowledge/core skills.
These days,you cannot afford to neglect anything and yet aspire to grow in career.People who are smarter than you,who have core-skills and also have fantastic communication and language skills,will by-pass you and go ahead.
One can play cricket and hit a sixer and also grab maximum runs with an empty stomach,not exercising or following an erratic dietary plan just based on purely my raw cricketing skills.Yes, it is possible.Proverbial flaashes in the frying pan are but occasional.
However, a person who is practicing at the nets,takes care of his diet,follows a regimented exercise plan has a better chance of scoring those runs,playing fit and more importantly consistently win after win,match after match.
4. Anyone who supports linguistic-regionalism quote Japan(or Korea) and no other country.
Japan's philosophy is different it has nothing to do with language but more to do with a working philosophy and culture which every Japanese(or atleast 99% Japanese!) have.They are secretive by nature,friendly but secretive;hospitable but secretive(my sister worked in Japan as a genetic scientist for 6 years and she used to tell me lot of stories) hardworking by nature,work in teams by nature.Their lives revolves around work work and work and nothing else much.(Romance is lost in such lifestyles--Japan has one of the highest suicidal rates,mind you!)
Japan's philosphy be it Kaizen or Zen or their work ethics,is fantastic.They work as Teams,they have a great work culture.
It is a product of this that makes them World leader in business and not merely a blind adherence to their language.Now, whether they have EQ is something totally different.
If we have all this, we too can discard English and adopt Bhojpuri or Konkani or Telugu or Malayalam or Bhil tribe language(if they have a codified language ie) and succeed.
The problem is we dont have that.
We just merely engage in verbal clap-traps about language,caste and religion and dont really work towards any REAL development.
That is the problem!
Bhaasha ek samasya nahin hain. Bhaasha ke peche' joh bhaavana Chupi hain woh bahuth badi samasya hain!
(Language is not a problem,but the emotions which lie hidden beneath the language (by those speaking it) this becomes a big problem).
FYI, Japanese too are learning English in a big way these days.You would be really rich if you go as an English teacher and work in Japan.You would be lapped up instantly.Such is the craze for English.
Japanese CEOS can hardly speak English but they are working hard at it to learn the language and not engage in mere verbal rhetorics about their language.
Adapt and be flexible or perish,this is today's norm.
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Aside:
How am I able to effectively clarify whats in my mind? It is because of this language called English.I weild a unique power wherever Im and many times my language skills have saved my skin,got me many many friends worldwide,gave me really enriching experiences.
I consider it as a tool in my hands without any emotional strings.
And if you consider the Angrezi as your sworn enemy(I dont consider anyone my enemy): Then too I have a snippet to end this discussion:To use the 'enemy's' weapons against him is the mind of thegreatest strategist--Sun Tzu in Art of War.
Also, improving English just needs 15 minutes daily(its also fun to learn)...in 3 to 4 years your skills increase considerably.You would be amazed,really really amazed at your new gotten power.
Best wishes,
Mythreya.
CAclubindia
