- by Erum Hafeez It was my first day as a high school language teacher. I was excited as well as apprehensive about-facing two-dozen curious students since I had no idea how I would be welcomed. Some said "Namastay teacher", another group said "hi shrimati" while a few preferred "mornin' ma'am." Initially, I took it all as a joke - a first day prank. But with every passing day, I realized that our new generation is obsessed with a lifestyle and language alien to Pakistan. These children are part of a cult, defined by what they see on television. Language reflects the mentality of an individual and of a nation. It mirrors the way a group of people thinks, act and expresses themselves. As a language teacher, I have witnessed a growth of a new culture in our country that is alien to what were once our values. A large number of people are not proud of their identity. They are happier associating with Lucknow, San Francisco, New York or London. The foreign media exploits the situation to their advantage and advertises brands, propagating their ideology thus enslaving our generations both psychologically and economically. It influences every aspect of our lives and turns us into a consumer society with a never ending craze for fast food, designer outfits, westernized decor, adopted rituals and celebrations. Language is just a reflection of the damage that affects our roots. Today's language is a bizarre mixture of slang and colloquialism, mostly adopted from the Internet, Bollywood and Hollywood. They sound more like their favorite stars than their parents' children. When they are happy or want to appreciate something, they scream, "wow, yeah, cool, set hai, 'fit hai, bomb hai". Anger is also expressed with expletives that are not considered appropriate in any society. Trends and values are changing swiftly in the modern world. These days, Hollywood hip hop and Hindi film tapori (street slang) language has become increasingly popular among the teenagers from all sections of society. Bhao (big brother), khalas (finish), bolnay ka nahi (don't talk), siyanpati (wisdom), and many such unsavory expressions have been adopted by our youngsters. Satellite channels such as Zee, Sony and Star further contribute to the decline of younger generation communication style. They find Aashir-wad and Namastay more attractive than the good old Assalam-o-alaikum. When I warned one of my students to complete his assignment on time, he said, "Miss, aap mujhay chitavani dai rahi hain?" (Are you warning me?) The entire class understood it - thanks to the cable invasion - but nobody knew the Urdu word for it. The influence of foreign media is not confined to language; it affects the psyche and values of the youth as well. I hardly saw a student reciting naat or aya'at in class. But I was shocked when I went to a class and found a student singing bhajan at the top of his lungs. I inquired if he knew the meaning of the words and he said he didn't. However, he liked the tune and learnt the song because Shah Rukh Khan sang the same bhajan in a movie. The behavioral patterns shown by these foreign films, websites and satellite programs counter our cultural and social norms. It has created a cultural contradiction that is mostly reflected in the attitude of the teenage population. The top programs on the channels these days are Tu Tu main main, Kyunkii Saas bhi kabhi baho thi, Ally Mcbeal, Friends and so on. By watching these programs teenagers learn behavior patterns and interactions with others within a family and in the workplace. Now they want to date, go to dance parties, and celebrate Valentines, Rang, Holi and Diwali. They know more about foreign rituals like Rakhi and Halloween than their own festivals. It reflects a failure of our electronic media to establish its own identity. Family and educational institutions have also become less effective in holding onto a legacy of customs and traditions. They too would rather hand over this responsibility to media. Electronic media in Pakistan has a lot of potential and it can reestablish its viewer ship and counter the cultural invasion through quality programs and a relaxation of its policies. Parents, teachers and community leaders are also needed to come together for the establishment of an effective media vigilance system that maintains a check on program quality. |
