THIS is apropos Prof Lal Bakhsh Jiskani’s letter ‘Mother tongue’ (March 6). I would like to mention that nobody refuses to accept the fact that the language of the people of Sindh is very rich in literature and folklore.

So are the languages of the people of other provinces. But to suggest that every language of the people of four provinces be given the status of a national language with a view to reducing ethnic violence and fostering love, harmony and unity is wrong.

Urdu is read, spoken and understood throughout the country. English is Pakistan’s lingua franca. Here I would like to clarify the meaning of lingua franca. It means ‘a language that is adopted as a common language between speakers whose native languages are different’.

In Pakistan, all official work is done in English. Teachers and college professors lecture in English. Lawyers and court proceedings are conducted in English. The common people communicate in a hybrid tongue, Urdu mixed with English terms, to impress lesser souls. Such is the love of the common man to learn English.

Unity and harmony comes with a common language. In the case of Pakistan, it is Urdu. But to progress and keep abreast with the developing world, adopt English as your first language. Let your mother tongue be your second language spoken at home, if you so please.

Zia Rehman
Augusta, USA