Scholar Urges India to Shift Science and Tech Discourse to Native Languages

India's intellectual future may depend on breaking the monopoly of global languages over technical discourse. Linguist and scholar Peggy Mohan is calling for a systemic shift that empowers major Indian written languages to serve as the primary vehicles for scientific and technological expression.

Speaking with Down To Earth, Mohan advocated for a linguistic environment where native tongues are not merely used for translation, but as active mediums for generating new ideas. She specifically urged that each major Indian written language be given "the chance to shine as a way of expressing new ideas, especially in science and tech," moving away from a total reliance on colonial or global languages for high-level academic and technical work.

The Evolution of Indian Tongues

This push for linguistic empowerment is rooted in the proven adaptability of India's diverse languages. According to Mohan, Indian languages have a long history of migration and evolution, having traveled across Southeast Asia, the Indian Ocean islands, and the Caribbean. A primary example of this resilience is Bhojpuri, which evolved into distinct forms after reaching Trinidad. This historical flexibility suggests that native languages are more than capable of adapting to the rigorous and evolving demands of modern scientific terminology.

Democratizing Technical Knowledge

Integrating native languages into the STEM fields is seen as a critical step toward the democratization of knowledge. Currently, the dominance of English in technical sectors creates a barrier for millions of non-English speakers, effectively gatekeeping complex concepts and limiting who can contribute to innovation. By shifting the medium of instruction and research to native languages, India can foster a more inclusive intellectual environment, allowing a broader segment of the population to engage with and contribute to the country's technological advancement.

The Path Toward Indigenous Innovation

Moving forward, the challenge lies in transitioning these languages from cultural artifacts to functional tools of modern industry. While the historical adaptability of languages like Bhojpuri provides a blueprint for evolution, the systemic implementation of native-language science requires a shift in educational policy and institutional support. The goal is to create a multilingual future where indigenous innovation is not hindered by a linguistic divide, though the specific mechanisms for this transition remain a subject for further policy debate.