Reclaiming narratives: English literature’s role in building the Pakistani narrative across borders.
The position of English language studies has been in debate for years as, the initiation of English language studies in the sub-continent was the result of British colonialism and thus imprisonment of Indian narrative by suppressing the native languages of India and imposing English as the official language. Pakistan got independence from British colony in 1947, but the slavery and inferiority complexes were deeply inflicted in the people of sub-continent. Till today, after so many years of independence, English is still considered the language of high status and knowledge. The more “western” a person is the more “modern” and “relevant” he will be considered. Amidst this inflammation of Pakistani identity and its rich culture with diverse languages, English department has been challenging backlash and criticism as being seen as a poignant cause of suppression of the native languages. Regardless of our history of colonialism and mental slavery of English people, Pakistan needs to consider the status of English language in the modern world as a global village, when it comes to English language proficiency and learning for a developing country like Pakistan. Nowadays, English plays a global role as a lingua franca. It is stated by the British linguist David Crystal that there are over 1.5 billion people who speak English around the world. About 400 million more people speak it as a second language, and an additional 600-700 million speak it as a foreign language. And this number is only increasing as the language is used as the official language in 67 countries and taught in about 118 countries. With these facts and figures on the significance of English language for communicating and representing Pakistan to the world requires a sensible and more accepting approach to English language by considering it a medium only to express our national culture, religions, beauty and geography.
English language needs to be indigenized into the Pakistani context. As a student of English literature, I strongly believe the significance of the ideas expressed rather than the language used to communicate it. The English department in Pakistan needs to highlight the significance of creative writing in English by the Pakistani students so that they express the true spirit of Pakistan’s rich cultural and lingual diversity. We as Pakistanis need to know ourselves better as said by Said in his essay, Zionism from the standpoint of its victims that “The starting point of critical elaboration is the consciousness of what one really is, and is “knowing thyself” as a product of the historical process to date which has deposited in you an infinity of traces, without leaving an inventory. It is important
therefore to make an inventory.”
It’s significant for the English departments in universities of Pakistan to decolonise and abolish the zero policy epistemology of English superiority by introducing the writings of native writers writing in English language. The focus should be on enabling the learners to create works in English and criticise the works already written, even if they are crested by “English” men. Instead of teaching students the rules of English writing by portraying the English novelists and dramatists as ideals, students should be encouraged to criticise their writing techniques as well.
All in all, The solution to the mental enslavement and inferiority complex of Pakistani nation does not lie in disowning English studies in universities but rather in its impactful use to portray and maintain the true spirit of Pakistani culture and beauty. The acceptance of English language as a medium of communicating Pakistani narrative, all across the world should replace the impression of English studies as a threatening robber that will steal Pakistani identity.
