A charming and super educated bilingual (Apoorva, India)
Languages spoken: Hindi, English, Urdu.
Field of study/career: Literature, Higher Education and Administration Policy (Teachers College, University of Columbia).
I met Apoorva, an epitomy of the Bollywood beauty, during the Fulbright orientation event in Miami and was really amazed by how charming she was from outside and inside. She comes from India where English is quite widely spoken.
During my first days in New Jersey where my host university was located as well as during my first (quite humble and intimidating) commutes to NYC, even being a university English teacher, I had to admit to have been struggling with English a bit. For example, while ordering my coffee at the university diner I would sometimes have difficulties interacting with waiters as they spoke super fast and there were too many options to choose from, which I wasnt used to at all. That certainly reinforced that stereotype of the culture of consumerism so prevalent in the U.S.
NYC can be too much visually, sensually and linguistically as well. When a fellow Russian Fulbrighter, Apoorva and I met in Central Park in New York City, we all probably needed a break from the citys linguistic hustle and bustle.
The choice of the first interviewee wasnt intentional or scientifically justified. Back in Miami I had mentioned my project to Apoorva and she volunteered to participate. Probably I felt she had just the right energy as I knew from the get-go, it wasnt going to be a purely rational and rigorously scientific endeavor
Being in Central Park and picking a random bench to get comfortable for the interview had a certain cinematographic feel to it. As I was filming it (as well as most of the interviews that followed), for some reason I had a random thought of Woody Allen. So many iconic Hollywood films have been made (and I guess some by many other companies in many other languages as well) right in this spot. I knew I would be writing about this moment so here I am
Apoorva started learning English as part of a basic curriculum at school at the age of 3. In India it is common to go to an English-medium school as this country used to be a British colony. So, as a result, Apoorva thinks that «50 to 60% of Indians speak English very well».
At her English classes back there was a lot of focus on grammar and eventually the emphasis on writing well increased. Then in what could be an equivalent of an American «high-school» spoken English skills got «polished». Apoorva attended a convent and in these institutions students actually got penalized if they were found speaking any other language rather than English and their mother tongue were only allowed during recess. As for mistake correction, there was also an «over-emphasis» on pronunciation and the teacher had a rather strong authority.
According to Apoorva, in her home country speaking English is looked upon as something «very respectable». Initially she didnt feel confident enough as she hadnt grown up in an English-speaking environment even though her parents are «fairly fluent» in English. There are actually households in India where different generations of a family would speak English with each other in private settings. It wasnt till middle school that she finally gained enough confidence to speak English.
As being able to speak this language well is «imbued with a certain sense of superiority» even in India, some younger people might start ignoring their own mother tongues. Of course, with India being so big, English eventually acquired its own varieties inside the country and «grammar may differ from state to state». Apoorva emphasizes the role of the native culture which finds its way into the way people use the language.
She said she had been contemplating issues surrounding language acquisition and use more after completing her undergrad in Literature which gave her «a renewed passion for languages» and «a newfound respect for my own language». Reflecting more on her adolescence, she recollects how even for formal requests back at school students still had to use English. Also, in formal gatherings rarely would you find someone asking you questions in Hindi or any other language spoken in India. So, Apoorva often heard fellow Indians approaching her with the questions such as «Whats your name?», «How are you doing at school?». Then the conversation might «transgress» into another language.
Apoorva admits that she is still struggling with syntax which is so different from her mother tongue Hindi. For example, she is annoyed by how every once in a while she still uses wrong articles. Another thing she cant get her head around is how some grammar rules might vary from country to country. After studying in institutions around the world where English «has been a medium of instruction for centuries», Apoorva concludes that sometimes it was «just the matter of taste».
There were instances when she felt somehow upset by her interactions with native speakers of English. She remembers how after arriving in London for her Masters she had to struggle trying to understand what the receptionist at her bed-and-breakfast was saying. Back home it was not a problem to approach people and ask them as many questions as you needed, but that man seemed to have gotten annoyed as it might not be so common in the UK. So, he turned to his friend and said, «She will not be able to survive in England. She cant speak English!». Apoorvas friend in her turn replied, «But she has a degree in English so she probably knows more than you!».
Ironically, Apoorva notes, the first department of English Literature was actually founded in India (Bombay) in the 19
th
At this point, Apoorva describes herself as «well-versed» in English. She feels so natural using a combination of languages that it is actually difficult to express herself «in one language entirely». Speech that «flows from Hindi to English and Urdu and back to English» is «an expression of who I am», says Apoorva. This is so much «part of my identity and Im not trying to fit in either mode». This, as she calls it, «mélange» of languages is an essential part of her linguistic personality.
Reflecting on the image she projects onto others based on her language choices, Apoorva says that outside India people might have a different impression of her when shes not speaking English. But once she starts doing that, they might change their impression of her. As it is a «superior» language, suddenly others «take notice of you».
Here in the US from the moment she landed, people have been saying «You speak English so well». But that might come «from the ignorance that Indians dont speak English very well». Apoorva is adamant that there are a lot of people she knows who speak much better, their grammar is «fantabulous», so she takes these comments «with a pinch of salt». She feels lucky that unlike some people who have to make an effort to acquire this language, she learned it as part of her school curriculum back in India.
Her linguistic journey continues as after 4.5 years of working in the field of Higher Education Administration Policy, she got a Fulbright scholarship to study at Teachers College (Columbia University).
Finally, when it comes to some tips as to how to master a language well, Apoorva believes the key is to find a way to feel comfortable in it. Speaking in any language «involves your own style». So you dont have to imitate your teachers language. Once you achieve that level of comfort and whatever you are saying is perfectly right in your own head, you will be very confident. «Dont think of it as a language outside yourself», but rather «make it your own».