The Window to the World, English Language is

Topic: The Window to the World, English Language is

Name:           Baraiya Sonal Rameshbhai

Class:            M. A. Sem-3

Paper No.:    12- A English Language Teaching -1

Submitted to: Smt. S. B. Gardi, Mkbu,

                            Department of English.

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 Introduction:

At the national level, English must serve as our Window to the World’’, as the language in which nearly all contemporary knowledge is accessible. As the language of science and technology, trade and commerce, political science, economics and international relations, English will be important for industrial and economic development. It will function as the ‘’Language of Development’’. Our scientists, technologists, engineers, doctors and economists must be able not only to have access to professional literature in English but also to contribute to it, and to communicate with their counterparts in other countries. The continuation of English seems important if our science and technology, trade and commerce, are to be truly international. It is heartening to note that English – based Indian bilinguals constitute the third largest pool of trained and technical manpower in the world. As an international like language, it is a promoter of interstate mobility contributing to national unity and integration. Here we go through three steps:

1.       What is language?

2.       What is window?

3.       What is the importance of English language as a window?

The language is made by human beings due to expresses their ideas, feelings, thoughts, concepts, moods, attitudes, etc.  It’s becomes the communicative medium so, human beings distinguishes from other human beings. The language is not really something new rather the repetition of the words because language is learnt through use, through practice. That’s why linguists of psychology believed that language is ‘habit formation’. So the words like remember and forget is come into existence because whatever we know it is a result of repetition whereas whatever we forget it is result of the use of language and ‘‘the more one is exposed to the use of language, the better one learns’’.

The Window has its own importance either it’s for a house or for a computer. Window is a security system for both house and computer. Two types of window are there:

1)      Open Window

2)      Zigzag grills window

The open window cannot solve the purpose, instead of that the zigzag grills window is more safe and useful for a house as well as for a computer because the zigzag grills obtain its importance in the education system. English has become a truly universal language ‘‘a window to the world’’.

In the modern era or computer age, we cannot say that life is impossible to live without English language but if we want to live life in good way so the English language is needed. Because English is the only language that anyone can understand, it’s only the medium to communicate around the world.

In all around the world there are uncountable languages which are difficult to put in perfect numbers. For example, Languages of India - according to Language of India, 1991 census:

In India alone there are-

1)      18 scheduled languages

2)      114 other languages

3)      216 mother tongues

4)      96 non specified languages

5)      Approximately 1000 languages

So, approximately 1000 languages India have then thought about the all other countries that how much they have.

Why is the English window to the world?

What are the reasons of importance of English language?

So, there are various reasons of importance of English language viz,

1. English is simple and funny language:

One of the reasons of importance of English language is that it is based on a simple alphabet and it is fairly quick and easy to learn compared to other language. We should learn language with fun also. Through the fun we can learn English. We can talk English; we can walk English because English is very funny language.

2.     English is the Business and Finance Language:

One reason behind the importance of English is that English is the business and financial language. And it has become almost a necessity for people to speak English if they are to enter a global workforce. Cross – border business and financial communication is most often conduct in English so if we want to deal with any material things or any other financial and business matter we must know English language. Now America has global economy. Large corporations have established themselves all over the world in almost every country and all stock, commodity and currency markets are so closely tied up that even the tiniest changes in an important stock price will have an immediate effect on other prices worldwide. Not only with America but if we want to do business with any other country we required English language first and also the currency of America is needed to do business with any other country. So the English language and the currency both of them are more important to engage with financial and business purpose to any other country. One of the reasons of powerful English language is that it is also the financial language. Everybody must know the English language if they wants to connect with world through financial aspects. And everybody knows that now a day MONEY is at the center. Those who having money they get power automatically.

3.  The effect of English Books, films and music around the world:

Many of the world’s top films, books and music are published and produced in English. By learning English you will have access to a great wealth of entertainment and will be able to have a greater cultural understanding. It is the language of the media industry. If someone speaks English, you won’t need to rely on translations and subtitles anymore to enjoy your favourite books, songs, films and TV shows. There are various examples of the influence of the English books, films and music around the world.  For example the impact of English books on Indian cinema such as:

Maqbool – the film drew references from Shakespeare’s Macbeth.

               

           

Aisha – a glamorized, modern version of Jane Austen’s Emma

             

                  

Lootera – idea from O’ Henry’s The Last Leaf

   

            

Not only the books and films but music also gave effect on India.

 For example –

Honey Singh inspired by Justin Bieber

                

                          

But the thing is that the Indian books, films and music are comparatively also good. But the fact is that people think that everything from English countries is good. The image of ‘‘GOOD’’ is constructed by them and still we believe in that way.

4.     English is the language of internet:

English is the language of internet. The 50% internet is in English. Most of the content produced on the internet is in English. So knowing English will allow you access to an incredible amount of information which may not be otherwise available. Whatsaap, face book, Google, etc, are now become a part of human beings.

               

Google become the teacher of individual rather the part of whole. It is provide all kind of information but as describe above that most of the part cover with English language. So the thing is that you will be able to understand them and take part in forums and discussions. It is not only for information but also enhance the job opportunities in the world. English also the language of science. To excel in science you need to know English.

5. English is the language of knowledge (science and technology):

 English is the language of science. To excel in science you need to know English. This is an area which deserves top priority at the hands of the government and planners of technical education, because teaching of EST (English foe Science and Technology) has a direct bearing on India’s modernization and progress. There are three aspect of teaching EST in India:

1)      Needs

2)      Structure of Technical English and Teaching Materials

3)      Expertise and Training

In short we can say that most of the part of Science and technology covered by English.

6.     English is the lingua–franca:

It is also known as ‘‘linking language’’. It has an important significance in a multilingual setting. It encourages wider mobility, national integration, and a sense of tolerance. English play a role of ‘‘bridging’’ among the two people, their ideas, views, cultures, traditions. It is also chain the two countries and nations.

English become the useful link through which two people and two nations come together and share whatever they have. So we can say that because of the English language everything comes in front of us.

7.     English is to be a prestige language:

Socially English is the prestige language. In the society, if someone knows the English language they obtain respect and value from the society. They are considered as an intelligent person. They get easily whatever they want.  But the thing is that the idea of English language as a prestige language, it is constructed idea. It is only imagination which is imposed by western people. English is not ‘‘TRUTH’’ but representation. Here Foucault’s idea of the KNOWLEDGE and POWER is very appropriate. Power structures depend upon structures of knowledge and how, once they acquire knowledge, create subjects to be controlled. So, here the knowledge of language creates the power of politics. Language is political because it is made by human being. So it is all about the knowledge of language which is leads towards power of politics. Here the superiority of English language which is shaped. Then it is created subject to be controlled. Thus before we became subject due to the material power and now we become subject through the language power.

That’s why in the ORIENTALISM, Edward Said said that Orient is an idea which is created by Western people. It is not ‘‘TRUTH’’ but representation.  Not only in this but there are various examples of power politics of language such as:

 ‘‘Robinson Crusoe’’ - In which Crusoe teach the language through he created the subject to be controlled. And Friday became the subject. But the fact is that language is not political but people are political. That’s why language becomes politics because it is man made.

‘‘The Tempest’’ – In which Prospero teach the language because he wants to controlled Caliban. But one side of the language is that what Caliban said in ‘‘A Tempest’’ that

     ‘‘I can curse because I know your language’’.

So, we can say that it is happen because the language itself has the power to control anybody.

Ø Conclusion:

In short, English has pros and cons but the fact is that it is international language. Without English language we cannot interaction between the two opposite nations.  It is the connection between two people.

As we seemed that English is the bridge through anyone could travel. It is the ‘‘WINDOW TO THE WORLD’’.

The Characteristics Poe's Short Stories

Topic: The Characteristics of Poe's Short Stories

Name: Baraiya Sonal Rameshbhai

Class: M.A. Sem-3

Paper No.: 10-The American Literature

Submitted to: Smt. S.B.Gardi, Mkbu,

                          Department of English.

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Introduction:

Edgar Allan Poe:

Born – January 19, 1809

Died – October 7, 1849

He was an American author, poet, editor and literary critic, considered part of the American Romantic Movement. Best known for his tales of mystery and the macabre, Poe was one of the earliest American practitioners of the short story and is considered the inventor of the detective fiction genre. He is further credited with contributing to the emerging genre of science fiction. He was the first well-known American writer to try to earn a living through writing alone, resulting in a financially difficult life and career. He was born as Edger Poe in Boston, Massachusetts; he was orphaned young when his mother died shortly after his father abandoned the family. Poe was taken in by John and Frances Allan, of Richmond, Virginia, but they never formally adopted him. He attended the University of Virginia for one semester but left due to lack of money. After enlisting in the Army and later failing as an officer’s cadet at West Point, Poe parted ways with the Allan’s. His Publishing career began humbly, with an anonymous collection of poems, Tamerlane and Other Poems (1827), credited only ‘‘to a Bostonian’’.

Short Story:

A Short Story is a short piece of fiction aiming at unity of characterization, theme and effect but significantly shorter and less elaborate than a novel.

Major characteristics:

1.  Length:

Short Stories typically range from 1600 to 20000 words. It is decided by authors and critics. Majority believe in 1600 to 20000 words. Even Poe suggested that a short story should take 30 minutes to two hours to read. We are able to read it in one sitting. Due to invention of television and radio for entertainment, these are based on long time. But the thing is that the idea of one sitting rule is still a good one. That’s why Chetan Bhagat still has popularity in people. Poe’s all short story are in these range.

 For example:

2.   Subject:

Short Stories focus on a single subject or theme. Poe also believes that single subject or theme is better to make story effective. If story have multiple subjects then it is complex for reader to understand easily. 

For example –

 Poe’s every short story deals with subjects like love and hate; the rivalry between self and alter ego; the personification of memory after death.

1)    Love and Hate:

Poe highly influence by Freud Psychology. Freud believes that these two emotions are universal emotions. These two emotions are interwoven. It cannot be separated. Poe described the psychological complexity of these two emotions in many stories such as:

1.       The Tell-Tale Heart

2.       The Cask of Amontillado

3.       William Wilson

These two emotions lead towards the gothic terror. For example – In ‘‘The Tell –tale Heart’’, narrator love old man and also hate him because of his artificial eye. So, eye became the villain of their friendship. Narrator’s love changed into hate when he seemed Old man’s eye. There was also one reason which is interpreted by critics that there was master – salve relationship between both of them. It is also one reason which was leads narrator to kill his master.

In ‘‘The Cask of Amontillado’’, narrator is Montresor and Fortunato is his friend. They love each other. But Montresor’s love changed into hate because of his friend’s madness. And he killed his friend. Here we also find out master – salve mentality. Fortunato is the master of Montresor. And because of his position, he frequently insulted his friend. We came to know this thing through the dialogue of Montresor that

       ‘‘I have thousands injury and insult’’.

In short they all are mentally disturbed and this disturbance leads them towards gothic terror.

2)    Self vs. Alter Ego:

Freud gave the three levels of individual viz,

1.       Id

2.       Ego

3.       Super Ego

Poe’s every characters have internal conflict which is leads towards them into unexpected decision. They are not able to control their mind. Ego is not able to control their id. That’s why they driven from two opposite personality. Even they also don’t know about the two personalities. But when ego is suppressed by super ego and id, second personality automatically came. That time they cannot judge that what is right or wrong. The same problem we find out with young man in ‘‘The Tell-Tale Heart’’ and Montresor in ‘‘The Cask of Amontillado’’. Both characters killed them whom they love much. Super ego felt them about their guilt. And their guilt conscious leads toward there where they felt what they done wrong. At the end they confesses and redemption about wrong thing that they done.

3)    The Power of the Dead over the Living:

Poe’s every characters conscious about their guilt through the memory. These memories of the dead one force them in the physical world. For example – A young man who felt the throbbing of Old man’s heart though his was dead. Because of these the living cannot feel free. They always surrounded with these voice. So, we can say that the power of the dead over the living.

3) Limited number of Characters:

Because of the limitations of the genre, short stories typically focus on just one or a couple characters. Due to the short period of time writer cannot gave justice to individual. Characters cannot develop in actual way. That’s why if they kept one or two it is better for their stories.

For example-

‘‘The Fall of the House of Usher’’

1. Roderick Usher

2. Madeline Usher

3. Unnamed narrator

‘‘The Tell-Tale Heart’’

1. Unnamed narrator

2. Old man

‘‘The Purloined Letter’’

1. C. Auguste Dupin

2. Unnamed narrator

3. Monsieur G

4. Minister D

‘‘The Cask of Amontillado’’

1. Montresor

2. Fortunato

So, as we seemed that in the all the short stories there were very limited characters shown by Poe. And every character has some limitations and problems. And these problems lead them in tragic fall.

4)   Strive for unity of effect:

Poe believed the aim of the short story was to create a mood, an effect on readers mind. Stories are strong enough to catch the reader’s attention at the beginning to the end. Poe is very careful about these things. He creates an effect of horror or terror. Readers are in tension about the next step. Poe is famous even today because of this reason that he was able to create the effect on reader’s mind.  He creates the effect at the beginning.

For example-

The Tell-Tale Heart

TRUE! –nervous – very, very dreadfully nervous I had been and am; but why will you say that I am mad? The disease had sharpened my senses – not destroyed – not dulled them. Above all was the sense of hearing acute. I heard all things in the heaven and in the earth. I heard many things in hell. How, then, am I mad? Hearken! and observe how healthily – how calmly I can tell you the whole story.

 So, the words like nervous, dread, mad, disease, destroyed, dull, all the words indicates something wrong going on.

Conclusion:

      In short, Poe is even today remembered by the use of gothic elements. He gave highly influence on other gothic writers. His each and every short story came with new and effective terror, fear and ghostly elements. Most of the Poe’s characters read in psychological way. He is the feather on the hat of American literature.

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