On Language and Literature

Literature is the writer’s state of mind and feelings, put down in words for others to comprehend, and achieve (almost) the same state. And in few cases impressive literature can act as catalyst to take the imagination forward to a higher state. In so many languages of the world, we have had so many famous writers, igniting the fires of imagination in so many minds.

I was born in a part of India where the focus of education was on Mathematics and Sciences. The reasons were Economic as Engineers and Doctors were in the well-paid jobs of then and near future. My father being an Engineer made me focus more on these, but during the long summer vacation he changed the focus to languages like English, Hindi and Sanskrit. So with practice I started doing well on languages during early 5^th-6^th grades. And by 8^th 9^th and 10^th grades when we were exposed to famous Literature in English and Hindi I was able to grasp the nuances of poetry and prose. And more important I started appreciating Literature.

When I was 18, with an interesting twist of fate, I started my Engineering education in former USSR, and started learning Russian, which was my new medium of education. We (me and other foreign students) picked Russian fast and for next 6 years it was all Russian, spoken and written and heard.

In those years I noticed something interesting. All those foreign students who were good in verbal and written communication in their native languages, proved to be excellent in the new language as well. This boosted their social confidence, and gave them the necessary tools to interact with people and explain their point of view easily. This eventually gave them an edge in education, getting better grades and recognition in the university. It’s not surprising that most of the students with top grades in Languages, were the ones with the most top grades in Computer Science.

And much later in profession I started noticing the importance of Communication skills. And as you grow in profession the need of superior Communication skills increase. Well it’s the other way if you see carefully. If you do not have superior Communication skills you have difficulty in growing and sustaining.

The need eventually is in connecting with the various minds around, learning from them, influencing them and leaving an impression. Language is like the special wire, which connects ignited minds, which can get the energy from outside, create own, and charge many other minds.

So for our kids, it’s wiser to focus early on the Languages and rich global Literature we have access to. Give them the wires to connect to the world, and they will know what’s best for them and the minds around.

Mahtab Syed

Bangalore, 07 Dec 2013