A SUITABLE BOY

While reading Indian writing in English, it rarely strikes you as odd that Indian characters should incessantly converse amongst themselves in that language. You subconsciously presume that what you’re reading is the author’s translation for what was said in the mother tongue. However, when you watch a video featuring such English spouting Indian characters, the presumption fails to sustain. The whole thing acquires a slight aspect of Samuel Jackson’s dog walking on his hind legs. It is not done well; but you are surprised to find it done at all.

Hardly surprising, then, that the dialogue exchange which struck me as most remarkable in the entire series was one that happens to be in Hindi. This exchange transpires between a courtesan, Saeeda Bai (Tabu) and her lady attendant, Bibbo.

बिब्बो: बा जी, आपसे कोई जनाब मिलने आए हैं।
साईदा बाई: ख़ूबसूरत हैं?
बिब्बो: हाँ, हैं तो।
साईदा बाई: और ख़ानदानी?
बिब्बो: लगते तो हैं।
साईदा बाई: बुला लाओ।

Where the window for assessment is limited (like in the case above, or say, when appraising a match for an arranged marriages) looks and pedigree become paramount. This isn’t because we don’t value aspects such as virtue and compatibility of the candidate. It’s because looks & pedigree can be gauged with far greater certainty than can virtue & compatibility.

Likewise, in the assessment of the communication potency of a language, there exist discernible and not-so-easily discernible attributes to consider. The former include aspects such as richness of vocabulary and familiarity of usage. The latter has more to do with emotional impact. Which language do you think in (structure, not vocabulary)? Which language do you dream in? Do you always understand the language in real time or is there the occasional need for mental ‘interpreters’(if only for a microsecond, and without your realising it)?

Needles to say, each question yields different answers to different people. No dichotomy then that though some of us may find it easier to express ourselves in English, that language is seldom the mode of communication with family and loved ones.