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Minding the language...



So, the ability to use language as a mode of communication is one of the main differentiating factor between us and the rest of our primate friends. It gives us that crucial "one-up" to dominate the earthly scene, making us feel all superior. Of course, we easily gloss over the fact that some of us can share so many other traits with the animal kingdom - don't we have enough samples of sly foxes, wise owls, slimy weasels, scared chickens, sharp eagles, vain peacocks etc all around us? Makes one raise an important, poignant question: are we so different after all? Me thinks nah, not so much.

More on this topic, it's also fascinating that there are around 3000-6000 languages spoken by us humans around the world (as per our friend "Wise Wiki"). In India, even if you're linguistically-challenged like me, there should be an average of at least two languages acquired over a life time by each person (this is my own extrapolation, so please don't analyze it, think truckloads of salt). In fact, I've even been shocked by those who can't read or write but speak many languages fluently.

Now, where was I going with all of this? Ah, yes. Amidst all this diversity, what is intriguing about this is how people consider one language superior to another. Why all the fuss? The primary point of any language is to communicate, so let's just get the appropriate words out and be done with it. Most of the time, we all engage in redundant, repetitive or pointless conversations anyways, right? 

And, i never, ever will understand why English is considered the "most classy" of them all, especially in India. 60 years after freedom, and we're yet to grow up. And, move on.

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