Dr. M. M. Sohil
Government High
School Bohardar
Ramsu, Ramban
Jammu and Kashmir, India
Abstract:
English language is the fastest to grow and attracted the
vernaculars and speakers of different languages of the world. English is the
only one language of the world which influences quicker and faster on the local
dialects and cultures. It constantly changes our culture and increase the grip
of the speakers over other dialect users. It is understood that English
language scenario is universally effective and growing. Every dialect with
culture get shift into the English and multicultural society. Languages spoken
across the society get mixed with the English. Khah language is spoken in
Chenab Valley in Jammu and Kashmir which is mother tongue of more than two lakh
people. Khah language has a blend influence on other speakers because they have
contacts with English and other language users throughout the country. English
has philological relationship with all languages and slowly change the culture
of the native speakers. This study is taken to explore the relationship of
English language with the Khah speakers in the context of philology across
Chenab Valley Jammu and Kashmir. The study is intended to give insights into
the overview of history and current relationship of English and Khah language
speakers. It is understood that present scenario of the society in the context
of language speakers is multilinguists and multicultural due to universal
communicational platform of English language and its contacts with local
dialects of the society.
Keywords: English
Language, Khah Language, Philology, Vernacular, Multilinguists, Multicultural
Introduction
Any sort of language is man’s power to live
in this world and a source of leading life among human beings is wonderful due
to the use of language. (Sohil Mohd Muzamil, Reformative Trends of English Dialect through Hindi and Urdu Speakers,
P 493)
Today English is considered as the global language and
everybody want to communicate in this language. It is emotional and excited
language spoken throughout the world. In the initial stage of twentieth century
the people living in and across the Chenab Valley do not have access to learn
English language and it was not known to them. It is only after 1960s and 70
that English language was introduced at higher secondary level and in the next
decade at the primary and secondary level. It was only Urdu language used in
schools as medium of instruction. Texts were prescribed in Urdu and this was
used as official language in the territory. English language was introduced
towards the end of twentieth century as a second language and English text
books were introduced in 1990s at primary and secondary level. Urdu and Khah
languages were used as medium of instruction at schools level. In 90s text
books in English language for primary classes were introduced and later on in
the initial stage of twenty first century language for every subject in the
school curriculum. Along with Urdu language medium of instruction was Khah
language in the schools and even at secondary level. Khah as mother tongue of
the people reside in district Ramban is mostly used as medium of instruction in
schools in the rural areas. Today English, Urdu, and Khah language are used in
the multilingual society as medium of instruction in schools in the rural areas
across the Chenab Valley in Jammu and Kashmir. Most people in rural areas are
multilingual and can talk in Urdu, Khah, Kashmiri, and in other vernaculars but
English language is not used as much as it is used in prescribed texts and
recommended to use as medium of instruction in primary, secondary, higher
secondary, and at college level. The present scenario of the English language
is better as compared to the twentieth century and Khah languages speakers are
using English for different purposes along with their mother tongue.
Objectives of the
Study
v To find out the relationship and influence
between English and Khah speakers.
v To prove the historical evidence of Khah
language users and Khasha tribe.
v To understand the mutual interaction as
multilingual and multicultural across the society.
v To examine the philological study of English
and Khah languages across Chenab Valley Jammu and Kashmir.
Philological and
Historical Perspectives of Khasha Tribe and Khah Language
One Aryan group called the Khashas settled in
the mountain region between Kashmir and Nepal. The Khashas spoke an Old Indo-Aryan
language related to Sanskrit. (Britbill & Turner, P 7)
Khah language is an Indo Aryan language spoken by Khasha
tribe. It is an ancient language spoken in most of the districts of Jammu
province and in three to four districts of Kashmir. The speakers of this
language have migrated to different cities of the country and to different
countries of the world. Khasha people are early inhabitants of Himalayan
regions who came from Central Asia as nomads and occupied the regions from
Nepal to Kashmir mentioned in most of the ancient historical books. They slowly
spread their kingdoms in and across the areas of Chenab Valley and ruled over
Kashmir near about 214 years before Mogul rule in India. Today Khah language
speakers migrated from district Doda and Ramban to different districts of
Kashmir like Srinagar, Kulgam, Anantnag, Budgam, and in Jammu province people
moved to different districts like Udhampure, Reasi, Jammu, Rajouri, Samba and
Kathua.
Khah language is an ancient language spoken by Aryan
group of people who were considered as early inhabitants of Peer Panchal area
of the Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. It was the language of Khasa tribe the
most important tribal group and warriors mentioned in the Vedas, Mahabharata,
Puranas, Nilmata, Rajataragini and other historical books. This language is
used by the people since the ages before. It was spoken along with Persian,
Sanskrit, Prakita and other languages. It was used in these areas since the
Aryan migrated from central Asia to Indian Subcontinent. This language was
spoken with the people who used Sanskrit and it has some root words with this
ancient language. The speakers of other language believe that this language is
an old language of the people who were called Kashtriyas, Kush, Khasas,
Khashas, Khas, Khasha or Khah. In different times people used different words
for this tribe like the Mahabharata called them warriors and another group of
people lived with them were Kirates. Both the tribal groups of people were the
rulers of these hilly areas and their language was known as Khasha or at
present Khah language. When we analyze and study on the morphological aspect of
morphemes or lexical roots we find that this language was spoken with all
ancient languages of the Aryan groups in the Indian Subcontinent.
Urdu, Khah, and
English as Medium of Instruction
Khah and Urdu were used in the schools during the
nineteen and twentieth century as medium of instruction because English was not
known to the Khasha people. English language is used as medium of instruction
at global level. It was not possible to use this language as medium of teaching
learning process where there were already multilingual communities and English
was not known to the people before in the mid of nineteenth century. In such
areas teacher used local language as medium of instruction in order to
facilitate the children. In the twentieth and even at the present century Urdu
language is used as medium of instruction in the areas where Khasha people
reside but a teacher has to use Khah or other local language in order to teach
the students of such areas. Khasha society is multilingual and all these
languages like: Urdu, Khah, Kashmiri, and English are being used as medium of
instruction in schools. Khah and Urdu languages are used as medium of
instruction since the educational system was established because the early
system of education was bound to utilize the local languages, local sources and
local tutors so that children can understand and learn with examples.
Cod Mixing and Cod
Switching English and Khah
Cod mixing and cod switching is common process in every
bilingual and multilingual society. The process of mixing and switching come
into existing along with the bilingual society. English is always used in such
a context particularly when it happens to communicate in second language. This
process of cod mixing and cod switching can be found mostly among literates but
now a days it is found that even illiterates are using these cods.
Cod Mixing
1.
Khah
language: Haroon to Rohaan Hi asalam ilikum jvaan chus sa!
English Language: Haroon to Rohaan Hi Asalam
Ilikum are you okay!
2.
Khah
language: Rohaan Alhumdolilah auvn chus okay!
English language: I am okay!
3.
Khah
Language: auvn ahthus busy.
English Language: I was busy,
Cod Switching
Speech in English cod switching in Khah language
Today is education is considered as an instrument to
change.
Without it we cannot change ourselves, and cannot change
the society.
So, Auvn chuss wanu chati ki mehnat kor.
Wakhat ma kor zaaie talabi ilmathe.
Description of
Bilingual and Multilingual Society
Khasha society was monolingual but when migration was
started automatically the community became bilingual. People move from one
place to another place in search of food, shelter, and cloths they do not understand
the language of the early inhabitants so the need for another language was
automatically created in the same society. This process has given birth to
another language. Languages also come into existence with the invasions, trumps
and wars due to all these factors the people living in the same area got
conversed into multilingual and multicultural. Such historical fact is obvious
with the progress and development of English language. Need for English
language was realized by some local educationists and leaders and also by
enthusiasms of people who love to use English language. Today English is used
as third language in many multilingual societies and it is important to learn
this language for different purposes.
English Influence
on Multicultural
Our culture is now composite culture because of mixture
of different culture and mixture of different languages. English language
influences quickly because of social contacts, social togetherness, and fast
internet communication. Every language user get affected and wanted to mix
his/her culture and language with English language and culture. This language
does not only influence on our communication aspect but it also influences on
our thinking, culture, behaviors, social values and our costumes. This is not
only language but the English culture which automatically attract the people.
Roman Khah to
English
Khasha people use English alphabets to write in Khah
language this system is known as roman Khah to English writing system. Most of
the Khah illiterates and semi literates use Roman Khah language to English.
This is also used by linguists, scholars and writers in order to write their
manuscript so that the readers will understand the language and its meaning.
This method of writing is followed by every category of people at different
levels and at various platforms.
Standard English
Education through Migration
Khah language users migrated from their original place of
resident to the urban areas where English medium institutions have been opened
to educate the children. Khah language speakers moved towards the city because
to give Standard English education to their children so that they can compete
and sit in the competitive exams. Standard English educational institutions
were not available in the areas where this language is spoken and is used as
mother tongue. We find that Khah language users are using English for different
purposes. Khasha people are serving everywhere and in every sectors whether
government or private. Now English medium institutions have been opened in
order to learn English language. Maximum focus has been given to its fluency,
utilization and standard.
Social Apps and
Khah Language
…Illiterates who use different dialects other
than English dialect. They also use words by imitating users of English
language while their communication in business and in other sphere of life.
(Sohil Muzamil, English Language Easy To Speak And Learn Among Illiterates P 2)
Today we find social media is full of vernaculars usage.
It has been found that literates and illiterates both are using social media.
It is understood that Khah language users have created Whatsapp groups,
Facebook groups, YouTube Channels, and other social apps. Khah social world is
full of Khah songs, Khah Poetry, Khah Stories, Khah Speeches, Folksongs,
Folklores, Translations, Jokes, and Dialogues.
Research
Methodology
Research method is a process of finding facts based on
collecting primary or secondary data to find solution and conclusion for your
proposed field of research. It is a tool to apply your techniques finding
causes and giving solution and offer your recommendations for the problem
existing in the society. Research methodology for this article is applied is
descriptive and field work in the areas where these languages are spoken and
utilized for different purposes. This research paper was taken to give new
insights to the readers about the unexplored aspects of English and Khah
languages. So the field of research is descriptive and analytical in a way to
find facts about languages and perspectives of the speakers.
Conclusion
In the conclusion it is understood that the history and
structure of the Khah and English languages are complex phenomena in the
context of multilingual society. Khah language is used as mother tongue and
English is used as second or third language for different purposes. In the
areas of Chenab Valley Jammu and Kashmir Khah language speakers used different
languages as mother tongue first it was only Khah than it is Kashmiri, Urdu,
and Punjabi all these languages are being used as mother tongue because the
society is multilingual and multicultural. Sources have been studied and
analyzed in order to understand the facts regarding the history, language and
culture of Khasha tribe and Khah language. In this research article English and
Khah languages have been studied in the context of school teaching learning
process, structure of utilization in institutions, social usages, writing
perspectives, and core aspects and relationship between English and Khah users.
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