Safriz
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How I learnt ‘I can’t speak Urdu’ is not cool – The Express Tribune Blog
I had recently shifted to the web desk at The Express Tribune and much to my amazement, it was only fun up until I had to translate breaking news into English!
I didnt really learn how to speak Urdu as a child, and never did well in that subject at school either. Guess what, its come back to bite me on my backside!
Make no mistake, Urdu is not just a problem for me. There are lots of societal burgers out there who struggle with the language at all times and do absolutely nothing about it. Whats embarrassing is, I was born and brought up in Pakistan and Urdu should come naturally to me, but hey English has always been the cooler language right?
Were not doing anything for the language by not speaking it, yet I still always hear:
Laila, please dont speak in Urdu!
I have to admit my Urdu vocabulary improved after marriage with my husbands vast maila vocabulary, but you know what? He cant read Urdu either!
So I guess were just a bunch of Urdu illiterates.
My sisters-in-laws, brothers and cousins all between the ages of 15 and 17 are struggling with the language in school. The trouble is not the way it is being taught its just not cool enough.
I know this because when I was in school I never thought twice about Urdu. I mean why would I? I would never really need Urdu, right? It was always about getting those high distinctions in English.
Now, regret is slapping me in the face each time I try to remember what tabdeeli (change) means.
Urdu is slowly becoming a forgotten language not just for me, but for many of us. The schools we attend do not give importance to it anymore, and neither do our parents. I dont see kids taking tuition for Urdu anymore either. Its all about maths and other compulsory subjects, but what people forget is that just like its so super awesome when you can speak French, being able to speak, read and write in Urdu is just as awesome and useful when we exit the bubble many of us live in.
Its sad that I have to witness the demise of Urdu in my lifetime. I hope to do myself a favour and work on my Urdu skills - maybe Ill take some tuitions, or something.
I had recently shifted to the web desk at The Express Tribune and much to my amazement, it was only fun up until I had to translate breaking news into English!
I didnt really learn how to speak Urdu as a child, and never did well in that subject at school either. Guess what, its come back to bite me on my backside!
Make no mistake, Urdu is not just a problem for me. There are lots of societal burgers out there who struggle with the language at all times and do absolutely nothing about it. Whats embarrassing is, I was born and brought up in Pakistan and Urdu should come naturally to me, but hey English has always been the cooler language right?
Were not doing anything for the language by not speaking it, yet I still always hear:
Laila, please dont speak in Urdu!
I have to admit my Urdu vocabulary improved after marriage with my husbands vast maila vocabulary, but you know what? He cant read Urdu either!
So I guess were just a bunch of Urdu illiterates.
My sisters-in-laws, brothers and cousins all between the ages of 15 and 17 are struggling with the language in school. The trouble is not the way it is being taught its just not cool enough.
I know this because when I was in school I never thought twice about Urdu. I mean why would I? I would never really need Urdu, right? It was always about getting those high distinctions in English.
Now, regret is slapping me in the face each time I try to remember what tabdeeli (change) means.
Urdu is slowly becoming a forgotten language not just for me, but for many of us. The schools we attend do not give importance to it anymore, and neither do our parents. I dont see kids taking tuition for Urdu anymore either. Its all about maths and other compulsory subjects, but what people forget is that just like its so super awesome when you can speak French, being able to speak, read and write in Urdu is just as awesome and useful when we exit the bubble many of us live in.
Its sad that I have to witness the demise of Urdu in my lifetime. I hope to do myself a favour and work on my Urdu skills - maybe Ill take some tuitions, or something.
