Is Hindi Only The Language Of Office Banter In India?
When asked about what employees have missed the most by not going to office during these 2 years with Covid outbreak, well the common answer turned out to be “Office banter!” Who doesn’t enjoy listening to sneak-peaks of lives of their co-colleagues, chit-chatting, and relaxing; a valid thought comes to minds of almost every employee, ie., why is the language of office banter in hindi but considered inappropriate in formal communication, while its apparently our National language?
It’s a very apt saying;
“Jo na boley videshi bhasha, to kya badi nirasha?
Jo na samjeh apni bhasa, unsey humm kya banaye aasha”
Hindi, The Language Of Pride For Indians
“Hinglish” has necessarily been continued to be the language of common, popular communications. When asked Adil Malia, CEO and Partner, The Firm, he responded, “Strangely, I want to believe that somewhere banter got twisted and became - 'Banta' to trigger off a series of humorous jokes to provide instant relief. Surely, the non-Hindi speaking would not much understand this unique brand of humor!
Talking about the need to be fluent in English, well indeed clear communications is a corporate need, but ability to speak fluent Hindi does not mean in any ways, an automatic inability to speak fluently in English. Most of us in India are fluent in both.
Vandana Tilwani, CHRO, Hawas Group is of the view that, “in present day scenario, the tendency is to use english in a formal environment like in a client meeting or pitches or global forums. Hindi or any other regional language (depending on which state you’re in) is definitely the go-to language for informal discussions. What I also see is that it is no longer seen as un-cool to speak in Hindi anymore. It may have something to do with a new sense of pride in everything ‘desi’ – clothes, music, and even language.”
Impact Of language usage On Employees
Honestly, its not a nice scenario to experience that we have to have festivals and days specifically to revive and to remember our culture. But Tilwani is of the view that if it helps to create awareness and increase the use of the language, then why not!
Organizations today need to build an environment where people feel comfortable speaking in their mother tongue. One should take inspiration from countries like France, Israel, Germany, China and others where they speak their mother tongues with pride while also learning other languages to help them interact with international colleagues. And why go places, haven’t you seen our very own Prime Minister giving out public speeches and addresses on international platforms in our national language? What better an example than our very own Prime Minister speaking in his mother tongue and addressing foreign lot.
Tiwani promotes the fact that, “It is indeed inspiring to see our PM speak on international forums in Hindi with such pride. And this is relevant to all the regional languages that we speak in India, be it Marathi, Sindhi, Gujrati, Punjabi, Bengali, Malayalam, etc. We should use public forums like corporate events, conferences and official forums where Hindi can be the main language of communication. Usually events like these are endorsed by celebrity professionals who can play a big role in promoting the cause.
“Such celebrations should have a salutary effect. And, it should be Hindi Saal, all other languages may become a Divas instead,” suggests Malia.
And to be honest, hiring and on-boarding of employees should be basis talent and skills and not over someone’s communication skills, caste, creed, sexual preferences, etc.
The Way Ahead To Have Hindi Speaking As An Inclusive Culture In Organisations
Such cosmetic snobbery where its considered indecent to communicate in one’s own mother tongue at workplace should not be encouraged. Malia further explains that if speaking in English is seen as forming a class above the Hindi speakers in India, “Bhagvan Bachye, humey!”
Well, organisations should not foolishly consider speaking English as a superior competency of an individual. Infact during several 'Assessment Centres' established to determine promotions, employees earlier were marked-down for their inability to fluently speak in English. Lots of companies now have substituted that with ability to effectively communicate as a competence for assessment during promotions. “Whenever I have seen potential leaders finding difficulty in communicating in English, I have prompted them to speak in a language they are comfortable and understood by others,” quotes Malia
Today, employees want are leaders who connect with people and not showmen who speak fluently to their teams in English.
Experts believe that speaking in fluent English is important but not being able to communicate effectively in the language of the masses creates a bigger set-back for leadership. We are operating in a global environment dealing with teams and clients speaking many foreign languages. Imagine having to learn 4-5 languages just so could communicate effectively with people outside of India.
“English has become the world’s official language of business and to its credit it does make working a lot easier. Having said that we need to get over our complex of being ‘vernacular’. As India grows into a global leader so will our sense of pride and comfort in being called Indian and speaking Hindi. It’s only a matter of time,” asserts Tilwani.
