Raju, if this was written in a book, I would underline so many sentences! But because I am reading this on my phone, I am noting my favourite quotes (so many!) in my journal. You spoke for so many of us, Raju. I think your essay should be read in schools so that every child feels gently held as they navigate the conflicting feelings that learning and speaking English brings. Lots of love ❤️
This is everything. As someone limited to only English, I marvel at the acrobatics, fireworks, and dance of your writing, in the only language I can understand it. But through your writing in English, I get a glimmer of those other parts of the linguistic you, and am richer for it. I am so grateful for you, and this piece, and your generosity in describing your experience. My language is flat compared to yours, but my heart wants you to know that it is not.
When I was ten, my parents took us to a different denomination of church. And like many converts, even though it was not as much of a leap as a new language, they were all in. We were all in. And it became a big part of our identity. I don’t practice now for many reasons, but the music that was a big part of me then is still my own. It makes me weep to hear it and sing it, and I cannot give the words any conviction, but the music is me and I am it, despite that. Thanks for helping me understand, and love it that way. And myself but more too.
I love you more than I love English!! I love your writing, Raju. How conveniently you make people realise what is so evident yet not realised and accepted.
Adding to your English incidents from school, I remember when I was supposed to prepare and give a talk in the English class, I was not prepared at all. You conveniently used our lunch break to pen down a beautiful speech and I got all the praise for it. Thank you for the English in you, it has inspired many of us to dance and play with English and yet not make ones identity.
Raju, my heart is all gooey because of your exquisite words and vibrant love for languages! I saw so much of myself in this post. I have a bucket list of languages to learn; this gorgeous essay validates and nudges that desire into a more central place in my life🥰
I didn’t want them to serve English. I wanted English to serve them. This and so many other sparkling gems in your writing. And this is the first essay of yours I've read. Am looking forward to reading so much more!
"We love bad poetry because it sounds posh. We trust scamster Godmen just because they speak in English. We equate English to wisdom. Could there be a stranger assumption?"
This is an excellent essay. Hailing from Mumbai, I've grown up multilingual, this piece resonates with me on so many levels, I love how the essay is more like a prompt; evocative. 🙌
Hello Krishna! So good to see you here. We have met in Mumbai once (or twice?) at Alphabet Sambar meet ups if I’m not terribly wrong. ♥️ Thank you for reading and responding. 🌸
I relate to this so much! When I moved to my boarding school in Tamilnadu and had to use English for everything, I found the only other girl who spoke Marathi. We weren't friends but we were bonded by our need to speak the language sometimes. In Germany, I got tired of all the languages I needed to speak and found myself dialing my dad more often than I thought I would. Now I don't even bother translating every single word. Most of my poetry is 20% Marathi and Hindi.
Raju, if this was written in a book, I would underline so many sentences! But because I am reading this on my phone, I am noting my favourite quotes (so many!) in my journal. You spoke for so many of us, Raju. I think your essay should be read in schools so that every child feels gently held as they navigate the conflicting feelings that learning and speaking English brings. Lots of love ❤️
Totally!
This is everything. As someone limited to only English, I marvel at the acrobatics, fireworks, and dance of your writing, in the only language I can understand it. But through your writing in English, I get a glimmer of those other parts of the linguistic you, and am richer for it. I am so grateful for you, and this piece, and your generosity in describing your experience. My language is flat compared to yours, but my heart wants you to know that it is not.
When I was ten, my parents took us to a different denomination of church. And like many converts, even though it was not as much of a leap as a new language, they were all in. We were all in. And it became a big part of our identity. I don’t practice now for many reasons, but the music that was a big part of me then is still my own. It makes me weep to hear it and sing it, and I cannot give the words any conviction, but the music is me and I am it, despite that. Thanks for helping me understand, and love it that way. And myself but more too.
This is a deep, thoughtful, excellent essay. Almost a prompt : English to me is a ....
Thank you so much Manisha. You were the first one to read it and it felt special to receive yours as the first comment.♥️
Raju, with every word I read of yours, I fall even deeper in love with your writing. English is a technology. By god ki kasam, kya likha hai 👏👏👏
Thank you so much Mitu… your loving response reached deep into my heart.. i cherish it so much 💜🥰
I love you more than I love English!! I love your writing, Raju. How conveniently you make people realise what is so evident yet not realised and accepted.
Adding to your English incidents from school, I remember when I was supposed to prepare and give a talk in the English class, I was not prepared at all. You conveniently used our lunch break to pen down a beautiful speech and I got all the praise for it. Thank you for the English in you, it has inspired many of us to dance and play with English and yet not make ones identity.
P.S. Waiting for the book on your school life.
Raju, my heart is all gooey because of your exquisite words and vibrant love for languages! I saw so much of myself in this post. I have a bucket list of languages to learn; this gorgeous essay validates and nudges that desire into a more central place in my life🥰
Raju, this is such an insightful essay! Thank you for writing this in a way only you could have! An important read :)
Thank you dearest Sanskriti. ♥️🙏
Reading the comments on your essays is almost as beautiful as reading your essays :)
I didn’t want them to serve English. I wanted English to serve them. This and so many other sparkling gems in your writing. And this is the first essay of yours I've read. Am looking forward to reading so much more!
Ahhh Chitra!! So so happy to meet you here. And to be read by you. 🥰🩷☕️
Purrrrrfect means purrrrfect this is da! You spoke my ( our) mind(s) as usual- once again!
Thank God for Tanglish and Manglish and Hinglish and … what do you call Marathi + English?
"We love bad poetry because it sounds posh. We trust scamster Godmen just because they speak in English. We equate English to wisdom. Could there be a stranger assumption?"
So, sooo good.
Love this piece Raju, so many phrases that are etched in my mind. Thank you ❤️
♥️♥️
I feel this. I read, write, speak, and often even think in English. But its cultural weight on those around me bothers me. Thanks for writing this.
cultural weight.. that’s a phrase I’ve searched in the darkness for.. thanks 🌺
This is an excellent essay. Hailing from Mumbai, I've grown up multilingual, this piece resonates with me on so many levels, I love how the essay is more like a prompt; evocative. 🙌
Hello Krishna! So good to see you here. We have met in Mumbai once (or twice?) at Alphabet Sambar meet ups if I’m not terribly wrong. ♥️ Thank you for reading and responding. 🌸
My my… you remember?! Yes, we have met once or twice. Fills my heart with such happiness🌻
English may not be ours but Hinglish is entirely ours, as is Kanglish, Manglish and Tanglish! :)
I relate to this so much! When I moved to my boarding school in Tamilnadu and had to use English for everything, I found the only other girl who spoke Marathi. We weren't friends but we were bonded by our need to speak the language sometimes. In Germany, I got tired of all the languages I needed to speak and found myself dialing my dad more often than I thought I would. Now I don't even bother translating every single word. Most of my poetry is 20% Marathi and Hindi.