Sreemathi Teacher’s English
Posted by JoNov 4
There is a YouTube video doing the rounds through emails in these days. Featured in the video is an English speech by P K Sreemathi, Kerala’s Minister of Health. The clip shows her struggling to speak in English and it was taken off a political satire programme broadcasted in Manorama News channel. The video is quite popular now and everybody is making fun of the level of softskills of our ministers.
I do agree that the politicians should learn how to speak in fluent English as there is no other language that they can use these days to communicate their opinion nationally and internationally. When they can’t speak on their own, they should at least attempt to read a written speech in such seminars or conferences just to avoid any embarrassment to themselves or to the people whom they represent. Here the minister has been made a point of ridicule, but I wonder how many of our local politicians/ministers of all parties actually know how to speak good English. Show me one, please (and exclude Shashi Tharoor for now).
English has become an important language to communicate in these days and times, but the reason for such ridiculing of the minister is our obsession with the English language. Though not many of us speak good English, we want the person next to us to speak good English or we make fun of them. Even “good English” has become a farce term these days as some people consider British English to be superior and most of the soft skills sessions in the IT and ITES or other corporate industries now ask people to unlearn the British English and learn it in the American way.
And if our media makes so much fun of a state minister, what would they do about a President if he speaks bad English or doesn’t speak English at all? Search “Sarkozy English Speech” in Google and see how the French president speaks in English. But French are proud of their own language and culture so they worry very little about this. But we celebrate/worship people like Ranjini Haridas who has made Manglish a fashion signature and keeps killing the language as the lead anchor in a popular television show.
Then what about the Malayalam media? How many people in the Malayalam television media know how to speak good English? How many of them can pronounce the English words right? I have seen in many instances where the interviewer struggles to speak English in our television channels.
And what about the rest of us, if I may ask? We are the people who can’t even rightly pronounce “audio” or “auditorium”. Just take a look at the people who work in the so-called elite service sectors, including IT. Most of them speak funny English, leave alone grammar. I remember attending an interview in a company that has offices in USA and North India, and the HR person spoke funny English and was struggling to find the right words. Are those the guys who represents a multi-national company?
So I think before we start making fun of an old lady (I doubt if the media would care a hoot if she belonged to Congress party), we, the young guns, should at least take a look at ourselves and ponder over the matter. I think Sreemathi teacher spoke better English than an average Malayalee. But my advice for her is to at least have a written speech next time. 
Related posts:
- Left & Right – United Sreemathi Teacher’s EnglishThe Varkala Murder case (in Kerala State) and...
- ‘I’m a Gandhi, and a Gandhian’ Sreemathi Teacher’s English I’m a fan of WTF posts by...
- What about the language? Sreemathi Teacher’s English I just came to read a blog...
- Don’t play with the Holy Cows! Sreemathi Teacher’s English A few weeks back, the (Twitter) Minister...
- Are We a Free Country? Sreemathi Teacher’s EnglishThe picture on the left shows a screenshot...
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
20 comments
Comment by Shivakumar on November 5, 2009 at 12:34 am
Jo,
My question to all of us is, why the requirement to forcibly speak in English when we can express ourselves just as well in our native tongue? If we are comfortable in English, go for it – international language and all. Otherwise, we should be confident in ourselves and our ability to communicate in the language we are comfortable with – and leave the translations to the interpreters. Speaking strictly of politicians, Sarkozy is a good example, as are scores of other “internationally accepted” politicians. Chinese and Russian politicians are a great example too – they command respect at the table, AND in their language to boot.
Thanks,
Shiva.
Comment by Anonymous on November 5, 2009 at 2:41 am
I was born and brought up in a village in Kerala and have a funny accent, trouble finding appropriate words and i make horrible blunders if you rate me based on Wren & Martin school grammar book .
But when a team of British experts visited us with mala-fide intentions, my company wanted me to chair the meeting whilst there were several people who are native english speakers. How good you say it doesn’t count it today’s world, its just what you can say.
Comment by jana on November 5, 2009 at 5:08 am
Well, Indian inferiority complex at every level, from skin color to regional languages, is not something new. The only difference I have seen is that the Southies aim at insulting each other, trying to feel better about their own; but have an inferiority complex when associating with the North, and Hindi; be it language, culture, or skin color. Then the whole country has an inferiority complex about the english language, the whites, etc. We can just keep on going on this one:-)
Why sideline the French and say they never mind about their English accent because they are proud of their own language. If you look at most European countries where English is not the local language, none of them have a problem, as long as they are able to make speech clearly and communicate their thoughts. An accent is very likely when your mother tongue is different, and if you start learning at a late age. Where I live, we make fun of the english, of the English:-) The Brits, the Aussies, etc, have strong accents that are hard on ears trained for American english.
The highlighting in the media has little to do with an old lady’s english. It just shows, again, Indian inferiority complex. Those that aim to show themselves as superior, or feel better themselves so that they are not thrown with the ignorant crowd, will cry so. It’s slightly disappointing and well expected, in this day and age.
You are right on one thing. Learning a language properly, be it French, English, Spanish, or even Malayalam, should be encouraged. But it’s sad to bring Ranjini(Asianet) into a serious post. Afterall, there’s a difference between not knowing a language well and butchering a language to show yourself as above the locals:-) As we see in the video, butcher English, you become a clown. Butcher Malayalam, and you can become a star.
Comment by Rahul Soman on November 5, 2009 at 10:46 am
Jo Chettan,
A topic that has always been a discussion. Your take is nothing new, so I am left wondering why this post
. Anyways English is not just a important language but its the official language of our country. Also your comparison with Kerala to a country like French was really amusing because France is a country that has only a single native language. Kerala is party of a country that has several languages. Why should we be bothered about English? How many of us speak Hindi our national language well enough?
I agree to all the pointers my above friends have already said and would like to add that right pronunciation does add beauty, but its not a mandate. Also a minister of a state having 100% literacy should have the talent to master the language. We are not asking her to quote Shakespeare. Whatever she has to say-put it across in a correct manner. If somebody makes fun of something in you, yeah its ok to say that they are wrong. But at the end of day you should take it as a challenge and improve yourself to make the same people praise you.
Comment by ammu on November 5, 2009 at 11:08 am
please don say ppl make fun of her English coz of some inferiority complex. she is the minister of the state. and while meeting ppl who cant understand the language she know well, nobody will question if she appoint one translator. I think, that will be good since she is representing a state. Common man/woman speaks other languages which is not fluent for them is jus coz somehow they have to express their thoughts to others.
Renjini Haridas is different case. She still in that position since she is one who has to attract viewrs to the show in all ((all…)) possible ways. even it is for criticism.
Comment by KD on November 6, 2009 at 12:59 am
Now this is a very interesting view point.. As someone who stands in the middle of opinions that blame her vs glorify her, I find this piece unbiased and pragmatic.
Great!
Comment by Ravi on November 6, 2009 at 4:50 pm
Jo, this time, I beg to differ. I think the politician ought to discharge her duties which is expected of her and if she is able to do that in full earnest, how does it matter if she is able to articulate her achievements well or not? She is not a spokesperson nor an anchor nor a English exponent. So why set such expectations. Let’s not equate being well-versed in English to competency excellence or well educated or well knowledged.
Comment by anil on November 6, 2009 at 10:26 pm
English is taught in Kerala from UP classes.
Even then a person in mid-age who manages a state dept. can’t speak without errors means she/she is worthless.
This is the reason of attraction.
Comment by scorpiogenius on November 7, 2009 at 11:39 pm
Well, Manorama News clearly got an agenda.
I saw the video today via another blog but I didnt feel her English was a disaster. She could get the point across and that is all what matters. MM clearly did their job of insulting the lady and creating this laugh. Well, these journos need something to work on, unfortunately its Sreemathi Teacher this time.
Comment by Jovi on November 8, 2009 at 12:03 pm
Dear Jo,
You do have a point about the “generation next “making fun of an old lady like that, but something has to be done to highlight the public assasination of an international language by those with carte- blanche. Not this vicious perhaps but still something. Sreemathi teacher is not the only one to publically degrade the malayali race in front of the whole nation.Somebody more prominent has already done it before her. If only they would take a pre- prepared script with them while addressing a gathering, things would be so much better. Forget phonetics atleast people will be follow the content of the speech. As for the issue of the newly evolving pseudo language ” manglish”- I am bereft of words. There can be nothing more illogical and irritating than the mixture of two alien languages. Its sad to think that most of us actually aid and abet in this revolting business. Perhaps some day globalisation will help us come to our senses. Until then its going to be a long wait.
Comment by ppkusumam on November 10, 2009 at 7:11 pm
…… till recently, English was a cursed language (of the capitalists) and anyone who tried to learn/ use it was made fun of and abused by the comrades.
Net result – the standard of English in Kerala becomes pathetic and Keralites develop a fear-complex towards using this highly useful tool.
This pattern can be seen across the board – politics, education, IT, industry, government services, arts, development…….
That is why Kerala is steadily going backwards while many of the ‘backward’ states are marching forward.
……. today, the emasculated malayali “looks from comrade to capitalist, and capitalist to comrade, and from comrade to capitalist again;
but already it is impossible to say which is which.”
Comment by Jo on November 10, 2009 at 9:17 pm
ppkusumam I have a problem when you say that comparing it with the other states. Take an average, I say average, citizen from any of the states and give me a state-wide comparison, with some credible data. I emphasize on the “state-wide” part, because I know we all would immediately count on urban/metro/cosmopolitan towns like Bangalore, Chennai, Mumbai etc immediately. After that, you tell me if the average citizen from any other state fares better than the average Malayali. Because I cannot accept your outright criticism due to your problem with the problem of comrades dealing with English. Many Malayalees have such mindset, particularly the ones who stay outside Kerala.
Talking about education – The lack of a metro atmosphere (except for Kochi or Trivandrum of course), the unaffordable CBSE, ICSE schools education and the sorry-state of English teachers in the state-run schools etc do contribute to the lack of an average student standing up in front of the urban-educated student from other states is a reality, but are they to be blamed? The kids who belong to the former range of schools in Kerala do far better than the state-syllabus educated kids. Do you hear the word “affordability” here? Economics, perhaps?
Comment by ppkusumam on November 11, 2009 at 10:58 am
Jo, what I am trying to convey is that in recent times, the other so called backward parts of India are slowly but steadily inching forward whereas we seem to be marching backward.
Whether we would like to admit it or not, the left establishment has been wielding a stranglehold on all aspects of life in Kerala for the past many decades. No policy or change can be implemented in practically any sphere (other than maybe religious) if the left establishment (controlled largely by the CPM) opposes it.
We are witness to the sad spectacle of so many initiatives that they prevented when out of power, only to subsequently implement the very same when in power. The average Malayali is too scared to even question these actions publicly (they leave it to the other political parties, manorama etc.) and have a “stick with the stronger” (why mess with them?) attitude.
Ours is a schizophrenic society – One that appears on the outside to be bold, literate, politically aware and always ready to respond to social issues but is actually on the inside incapable of independent thought, gutless, emasculated and under the complete control of the Left Establishment.
When the party decides to start an agitation, for example an environmental cause, everybody jumps in with his or her two bit. When the party decides to stop, everybody goes home without a murmur, irrespective of whether the objectives were met or not.
Just as the left establishment can take the lion’s share of the credit for our standard of living that is comparable to European standards (according to UN bodies), they must take responsibility for and correct the pathetic situation that we find ourselves in today.
In George Orwell’s “Animal Farm”, the pigs lead the animals in a successful revolt against the cruel farmer. One of the many things the animals (led by the highly intelligent pigs) agree upon is to maintain the farm house as a museum, to remind themselves of the criminal luxury in which farmer and his family lived at the expense of the poor animals.
They also swore (among other things) never to wear clothes, sleep in a bed, drink alcohol or to kill another animal. A popular slogan that they used to shout at their gatherings was “four legs good, two legs bad!!”
Over the course of time however, the pigs use their control over the fierce dogs in the farm to terrorise and even kill other animals suspected of colluding with the enemy.
Gradually, the animals lose their power to think and are easily manipulated. The laws and slogans are cleverly modified to allow the pigs to behave more and more like their enemies, the humans. They wear clothes, drink alcohol, walk on two legs and even move into the farm house where they regularly entertain humans to all night sessions of loud partying and gambling.
The much loved slogan is transformed into “four legs good, two legs better”. Eventually the enslaved animals would “look from pig to man, and man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which.”
In our beloved state, there was a time when those who owned cars and used air conditioning were considered as blood sucking capitalists (so many slogans still ring in my head !!). The English language was the weapon that the evil capitalists used to communicate with one another to subjugate the poor toiling masses – hence to be abhorred at all costs. The study and use of it was actively discouraged and ridiculed by the comrades (while the clever among them sent their children to English medium schools along with the children of the bourgeois).
Today we have reached a stage where the comrades cannot think of travelling other than first class ac (while still abusing the wealthy for doing so) and now the good teacher has started to walk on two legs and is valiantly trying to show off her mastery of the “cursed” language in public.
Of course “sensible” malayalis (read – those who have lost their power to react) would hold their peace as they would never know from where the fierce dogs would pounce on them and tear them to bits.
Thus the emasculated malayali “looks from comrade to capitalist, and capitalist to comrade, and from comrade to capitalist again; but already it is impossible to say which is which.”
Comment by Jo on November 11, 2009 at 12:24 pm
Again, I do not agree with what you say here because I do not see we are marching backwards and it’s the other way that I see these days. With even the hardcore Communists now going the globalized way (thanks China for that because our Communists follow anything that China deem fit), I think it is more visible these days than any other time.
I have not seen any left establishment leading an anti-English movement, but I agree that there has been an ire against people who speak English. But this has nothing to do with Communists alone but the general public of Kerala including the Congress and BJP men. This could be partly because English has been considered as the language of the Elites and much of the Elites have always disregarded/ignored the less privileged ones based on their financial status. Also I have seen many of these Elites seeking respect at all public places just because they speak English and I have seen them using that language as a tool just for that (blame it also on the colonial slavery mindset of the general public and businesses here who have less respect to their own regional language). And I am talking about it from my own experience (it was a trigger for me to learn English myself).
About taking and implementing policies – what have the other parties been doing? They are not much less militant than Communists are (have heard many stories from politics including murder and it includes all political parties and its leaders, though I don’t want to quote incidents here). So if the other parties (or people) were so passionate about any cause/policy why didn’t they raise their voice enough or why didn’t they follow up? We are not living in China anyways and all major political parties here have enough muscle power, so why?
When talking about policies, how inclusive are we about development and policies? The common public, like you and me, gets angry about the “sorry” state of our state but what can justify our silence on the public issues like Moolampilly, or Chengara or much later the Varkala Dalit issues happened? Where did our anger go then? The media gave it a few space because these happened in a Communist rule. Otherwise, media wouldn’t even put in on the last page. Why so? And what did we call those protestors out there, together with Communists? That they have support from Naxalites? Again how inclusive are our views of development?
Comment by Eliza on November 12, 2009 at 5:26 am
I find nothing wrong in what manorama has featured.
Talking good english doesn’t mean when you speak in American or British accent.But there should be a minimum grammar in what we talk.Mistakes here and there can be tolerated ,oits quitre natural.But this was ultimate.
That too when spoken by one of the representatives of our state.
To be blamed me and you for electing so called “leaders” who dont have atleast a degree .Shame on us.When we do have thousands of qualified people around how come this lady who says “not about you i am talking” instead of ‘I am not talking about you’ reached the respectable position of a minister of our state…..
Comment by Jo on November 12, 2009 at 9:50 am
You said – there should be a minimum grammar in what we talk.
And then you said – To be blamed me and you for electing so called “leaders” who dont have atleast a degree
How about practicing at least a few of the things we preach?
Comment by Q. Fernandes on November 17, 2009 at 5:19 pm
Hi JO,
More than the spoken form of any language, the prowess in it is proven
when one can write correctly.
E.g. … the words broadcast, forecast etc. should never be ‘broadcasted’
or ‘forecasted’ as is used by you in the first paragraph.
Anyway, the sky has not come down crashing!
Cheers, pal
Q. Fernandes
Comment by Jo on November 17, 2009 at 5:31 pm
Thanks for pointing that out Fernandes. My English is self-taught, mainly through the newspapers, magazines and TV shows, so good souls like you can definitely help me improve.
Comment by SUNIL on November 18, 2009 at 4:09 pm
To speak nicely in english is definitely an advantage for any malayalee as most of us seek jobs outside the state or India. Our educational institutions should also concentrate because just learning english is not enough to express nicely. This has to be taken care of from the very beginning of schooling. To show the pride of mother tounge, our politicians are spoiling the future of children. One should learn and respect mother tounge but also sharpen the english skill in order to compete with the world.
Regarding the performance of Sreemathi teacher, all should forgive because she also had her schooling in the same manner.
Comment by Deepu R Nair on December 27, 2009 at 9:00 pm
Let me start from your column’s last para;were you mentioned a silly things,being mallu’s we have a common practice to politicise each and every thing which happens in our place,even it is about rice,water,or militants or national security.Atleast I would like to say that practice is not good!!! Then about our Honourable(Horrible!!!!!) Health Minister’s knowledge of English,this is a matter of just using your commonsense.My friend if you go to a palce where people don’t speak the language which you speak,and you have an option to keep one of your friend along with you who speaks both languages,what will you do???If I reply to this Q,I will go for the option other than speaking in a different language which I don’t know.Being a minister she also have the option to keep a translator alongwith her,make a written statement and read it when that is needed.We all are not native english speakers,but spoken english means convey feelings that is what I felt,but if you can’t convey your feelings in a particular language why somebody want to use that?? That too a Honorouble Minister?? Is she try to act like the other name which you mentioned,Ranjini Haridas,???
whatever leave that behind,in some letters I read that this is because of our education’s problem,let me ask a simple Q,do we have any say in the policy making??NO!!!! Our political leaders like P K Sreemathi,and others are responsible to make policies,that is why we choose them to rule us,what they did in return for all these years after independance??Why I am not able to write a letter in english without mistakes??why most of our people don’t know that??? Because the basic problem is belong to us itself.We are the one who elect them and they themself don’t understand which decision to make,then who is going to help US????