Language as vehicle of Culture.

The blog is going to deal with research work done by Rekha Aslam, from University of Delhi. The work has majorly focused upon area of culture of any particular language, titled as 'Socio-culrural Dimensions of English as a second Language.'

As we all know that language is not just a medium of communication but it is vehicle of social conditions, manners, traditions, cultures etc.

One major reason why English is accepted worldwide is, it grabs the words from variety of languages. If we refer to the history of word which belongs to English vocab, we will find that the word is rooted in other languages like Latin, Greek and many more.

It also carries its own mannerisms to the others. But Rekha have focused upon the Indian culture which was depicted in English. She have worked with three popular works done by Indian English Writers. It is thus -
1) "Fire on the Mountain" by Anita Desai
2) "Nector in a Sieve" by Kamla Markandaya
3) "The Dark Room" by R. K. Narayana.

She quotes numerous examples from the texts that how some of the Indian terms are depicted as it is in our culture. And English readily accepts it.
'Other words used in the Indian novels are, in various categories : 'langur' 'bandars', (animal world), 'churail' (supernatural), 'kheer' 'kababs' 'dhal' (food items), 'rikshawala' (transport) etc.'
-Rekha Aslam.

Later on, she points out at saree, Aarati, kumkum which are very much Indian symbols to depict something. Kumkum is red powder which is generally used in pooja and Indian woman use it as a sign of her 'suhag'. In English, we may not find such appropriate word for all these things. So in order to make some sense clear, one have to use the words as it is.