Hing-lish: How this children’s storybook bridges the linguistic and cultural divide – News

Although the country’s official language is Hindi in the Devanagari script, it is the colloquial use of the English language that takes precedence over regional dialects – more so in metropolitan cities – in overcoming language barriers.

A recent meme making the rounds on social media reads something like the “post-” in post-Covid is the same as the “post-” in post-colonialism. And while there may be some truth to this fleeting commentary, the widespread use of English as the predominant mode of communication in most of the former colonies now free from foreign domination is among the most common areas of this “colonial hangover”.

Although the country’s official language is Hindi in the Devanagari script, it is the colloquial use of the English language that takes precedence over regional dialects – more so in metropolitan cities – in overcoming language barriers.

But can the language play a role to take root more strongly in their culture? Natasha Bajaj, mother of a five-year-old boy, discovered the disconnect between her son’s use of the language and his cultural heritage. In order to bridge the gap between the two, she came up with the concept for her latest children’s book HING-LISH, an interactive storybook that helps increase children’s Hindi vocabulary. “The book is revised by teachers to teach children conversation in Hindi using English phonetics. It is a series on Indian culture, relationships and festivals. It makes you nostalgic and brings you home, ”Bajaj said.

“Learning the Devanagari Hindi script is difficult for children who do not learn Hindi in school, which can be the case for many children who grow up far from their country of origin. English phonetics make it easy for them to pronounce certain Hindi words, ”she added.

Bajaj grew up in India and had a very different education from his son, who grew up in the United Arab Emirates. Speaking of his formative years, the author added, “Growing up in India was a lot of fun but very different from my son’s. My days were filled with playing time with friends and the nights were filled with fascinating Indian mythological stories. The house was always busy and full of people, ”Bajaj said.

“We spoke Hindi and English, but Hindi had a lot of preference. Growing up in a Punjabi family, we also understood the language but couldn’t speak it. On the contrary, I was fluent in Bengali, ”Bajaj said, adding that growing up learning multiple languages ​​was something she was very proud of. “Being bilingual or multilingual is a super power. Being able to communicate with people from other cultures is a huge social benefit and can open so many other avenues, ”Bajaj said. “It actually helps your cognitive abilities,” she added.

What is HING-LISH?

His latest children’s storybook is a product of the pandemic. During the 2020 lockdown, Bajaj noticed his son’s growing interest in the language. “My son spoke to my mother in what I call ‘hinglish’, which means half Hindi and half English,” Bajaj said. “He was talking to her but still didn’t understand many words, so I tried to teach him Hindi through the Devanagari script. “

To his amusement, it failed miserably. During the lockdown, she created a game where he had to read Hindi numbers in English phonetics, for example, Ek Khar-gosh ‘(a rabbit). “I still remember my son’s excitement when he shouted, ‘Mom, I can read Hindi,’ Bajaj said, adding that it is through this awareness that his passion project has come true. been designed.

Western influence was a big part of the author’s formative years, who grew up in India. “English is a universal language. Therefore, the emphasis on it. There is this understanding that everyone in the world understands, so parents push their children to learn English, ”Bajaj added.

Embrace his heritage

For children living outside India, said Bajaj, parents want to preserve their heritage and culture by encouraging them to speak Hindi. “The roots are what establishes you as a person. It is part of the identity that you inherit from your parents. Knowing your lineage and feeling connected to your family is always beneficial, ”she added.

Staying connected to your native language comes with a variety of other benefits, Bajaj added. “It is necessary for the overall development of a child, including their emotional growth. Staying connected to your roots can develop a strong personal and social identity, ”she said, adding that there is a 2010 study from Emory University which concludes that children who know their family history have high levels. higher emotional well-being (Journal of Family Life, 2010). “When children get to know their families, they are filled with a sense of fulfillment, which contributes to their overall growth,” the author concluded.

somya@khaleejtimes.com