I'm frustated.
The amazing diversity of languages, cultures and behaviours of the people of India never fails to fascinate me. But more often than not, its the very diversity that frustates me too.
I'm in Hyderabad, a place which is considered somewhat milder compared to the extreme images of xenophobia that we have in our minds regarding the 4 southern states. I mean, this is where you could expect some bit of Hindi to be recognized and spoken to you, leave alone English.
I've had fights with my Cable-guy who fails to understand the meaning of the phrase 'Please come once to my place and reinstall the cable connnection' - even after being spoken in Hindi, English, Hinglish and sign language.
The same is the case with my poor maid servant who has difficulty comprehending my intented speak, and is working only because her daughter knows a wee bit of Hindi.
Gawd, in this age of globalization, (and India Shining), we still have a big portion of population that does not understand our national language. Take Gujarat, take Maharashtra, or even West Bengal for that matter - even the most illiterate of vernacular speaking folks there manage to communicate some bit in Hindi. Isn't that some pointer for the 4 southern states?
And till that happens, we will still keep calling all Southies as Madraasis and everything above A.P. and Karnataka as North India.
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2 comments:
'Please come once to my place and reinstall the cable connnection'
Try saying:
'e-kada randi, cable pun-chhe-yutu ledhu; re-install chhe-yali'
I think its worth learning a language; i was forced by circumstances to learn telegu in 3 months. Helps...
N further, i sincerely believe that one should not be deprived of cable connection, wotever the reasons!!! ;-)
LOL :-)
You bet! Getting away with the cable connection results in severe withdrawal symptoms.
And ya, its worth learning an extra language always...
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