Can Hindi Overtake English as India's Business Language? Let's Discuss!

Hi friends,

As India is a very vast country, many languages are spoken in it. But if we have to choose a particular business language, which is the best option? Of course, Hindi is our national language, but almost every business deals in English. Can Hindi become a business language in India? All members are most invited to discuss this subject.

Regards,

Good Topic,

Well, if you need to reach out to customers, you should consider using Hindi as well as the local state language. Every company's motto is customer satisfaction; they prioritize product sales and are unconcerned about languages. However, as India is a developing country, English should be used since all documentation is printed in English. Nevertheless, the language choice depends on consumers and products.

Lastly, many companies operate in Hindi, and in offices, it is commonly used. When a manager or supervisor is present, English is preferred (if you're in front of them, LOL). Thus, a balance of Hindi and English should be maintained, making English the primary language.

Thank you.

I quietly disagree with you. The reason is, as long as Hindi is not taught in all states, we cannot bring it as an official language. In states like Tamil Nadu, Hindi and Chinese are seen as the same. What is the sin they committed? I know a lot of talented people who are not willing to come to North India for the same reason.

We need to educate all our people about the importance of a uniform language. Then, it's possible. But it's impossible; even honest people with honest intentions cannot do it because it's sensitive.

Hi, I am Rahul Mehrotra from India. I am facing a problem in English. I am not able to speak in an appropriate manner. Actually, I completed my schooling in a Hindi medium school. But now, in the business world, there is only a single business language, which is "English." Can you please tell me how to overcome this problem?

It depends on what kind of customers and clients the business is dealing with. If the company has to deal with less educated customers or clients, then the employees working in it need to know Hindi as well as the local language. If it's dealing with educated clients or customers, then they should use English. Most businesses have to deal with different types of clients or customers, so in such situations, the business owner and employees should be aware of mainly three languages: English, Hindi, and the local language. English and Hindi are a must.

Language Considerations in Different Regions

And FYI, Hindi is not an official national language. Do some research on it. If you go to South India, knowledge of English is more important. Knowing the Hindi language is of no use there. If you settle there, then you must learn their local language.

No, we can't say that Hindi is an official language because all parts have different regional languages, and there is a cultural bias as well as regionalism. That's why it is very difficult to push Hindi as a business language.

I am amazed that such a question arises even after 60+ years of independence. This sort of question can only be raised by a person who is well-versed in Hindi, forgetting that there are millions who do not know Hindi. (By the way, I can read, write, and speak in Hindi, learned 60+ years ago, though I have lived in the UK for the most part.) I wonder whether one realizes the enormous work required to translate every document already existing, let alone being churned out every other day, into Hindi or other local languages.

Hindi as a Business Language

Hindi cannot become the business language in parts where Hindi is not the mother tongue. Even in areas where Hindi is the mother tongue, it cannot become the official language if the organization deals outside that area. Similarly, organizations in other areas, if they have to sell to a customer who knows only Hindi, will have to employ people who know the language and produce documents in Hindi.

Historical Context

Here is an excerpt from Wikipedia:

"The Indian constitution, in 1950, declared Hindi in Devanagari script to be the official language of the union. Unless Parliament decided otherwise, the use of English for official purposes was to cease 15 years after the constitution came into effect, i.e., on 26 January 1965. The prospect of the changeover, however, led to much alarm in the non-Hindi-speaking areas of India, especially Dravidian-speaking states in South India whose languages were not related to Hindi at all. As a result, Parliament enacted the Official Languages Act, 1963, which provided for the continued use of English for official purposes along with Hindi, even after 1965." [Languages of India - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languages_of_India)

That being the case, how does one even think of replacing English as a business language even for dealings within India, let alone dealing with the world outside?

Dear All,

Clarification on India's National Language

Contrary to the common belief, Hindi is not our national language. In fact, India does not have a national language because we have so many languages spoken that we are unable to identify one to be nationalized. As rightly pointed out, if we go to the South, rarely do people know Hindi. Hindi is not taught. Had it been a national language, it would have had to be taught to all, which is not the case.

This is not something that I state; this is something that I read in the Constitution. I was myself surprised to know this during my GD while preparing for an MBA course about 3 or 3.5 years back and have read the Constitution for it. Kindly see the link to the Indian Constitution.

Please find the related article in the PDF - Official Language. Please note that there is no section on a national language found, and neither is it specified in the said section.

http://lawmin.nic.in/coi/coiason29july08.pdf

Hindi is claimed only as an official language used for business purposes, just like English, because most people know or understand this language. Any official declaration by the government can be made in either/all of the three languages - English, Hindi, and the regional language.

Hope it helped.

Regards,

Hi, I am Rahul Mehrotra from India. I am facing a problem in English. I am not able to speak in an appropriate manner. Actually, I completed my schooling in a Hindi medium school. But now, in the business world, there is only a single business language, i.e., "English." Can you please tell me how to overcome this problem?

It is very common. If I look at my personality some years back, I was facing a similar problem. Not only with English but even if I had to communicate face to face with someone, even in Hindi or my mother tongue. The problem was a lack of confidence, shyness, and my introverted nature. But every problem has a solution, and even your problem can be solved.

Communication Challenges

Communication is the base of any form of interaction. Speaking is a little more difficult than writing because:

• While speaking, one's mind should work at a speed greater than while writing as we cannot fall short of words while speaking and go blank.

• Speaking will not involve just plain words - Each word we speak would be added by the weights of our tone, clarity, expression, pronunciation, the accent, etc.

Hence, it is a common problem with many of us that though we are strong in written communication, when it comes to speaking, we take a back seat.

Steps to Improve English Speaking Skills

1. Read novels or dramas that involve dialogues and speak out loud the dialogues with proper emotions and intensity.

2. Speak to the mirror: At first, it would be difficult even to look into our own eyes in the mirror. But eventually, we'll be able to, and then we can speak. If you're not comfortable making a rapport with your mirror image, talk with it in your mother tongue and later start conversing in informal English. Do this for almost 15-20 days, and when you think you have a little grip over English, then you can start forming some prepared notes to speak to yourself (formal ones) and later go for unprepared or extempore.

3. Play: Honestly, we forget the child in us who wishes to flourish and learn more. Give yourself 1-2 minutes to prepare pointers on any given topic. Keep a timer/stopwatch to keep track. After this, time yourself for 3-5 minutes and speak whatever you can in that time. Do not think if what you're saying is right or wrong, on the topic or off, as there would be no one to judge you. But speak, speak out whatever comes.

4. Once you think you have a better grip on the language, you can ask someone to judge your extempore play and evaluate it for you. Ask someone who you confide in so that you are not scared.

5. Whenever you meet different people, talk. For example, I stay in Mumbai. I meet so many people every day. From my watchman to laundry man to auto driver to co-commuters in train and bus to colleagues to random people in the lift, etc. Smile at them and at least wish them for the day. This will help you gain confidence and make your day as well as theirs. Neither you nor they lose, right?

6. Have self-confidence. You know that your written format is good. So don't be scared of faltering somewhere. And if you listen carefully to many of the people who speak fluent English with lots of confidence, you'd be able to make out mistakes in their language.

In simple terms, all I wish to say is - We all make mistakes, but that doesn't mean we stop doing the thing. Failure is not the actual failure, but not trying is definitely a failure...

Also, refer to the following threads that have the same/similar issues, and there are ample solutions which you can try for yourself:

- https://www.citehr.com/446692-good-w...s-but-not.html
- https://www.citehr.com/117196-presen...unication.html
- https://www.citehr.com/284792-how-i-...unication.html
- https://www.citehr.com/118064-how-im...ls.html#641155

Don't worry; have a little confidence. Hope it helped. 

All the best. 