Decolonising English Teaching in India: Remarks on English as All-Indian Elite Language (EAEL)

Abstract

This paper is a humble attempt to share some nagging thoughts in the mind of an English teacher. In consonance with the desire for sharing, the paper often resorts to a personal and intimate style. It argues for an interdisciplinary approach and indispensable interfacing between teaching language and literature. The paper proposes that decolonizing English teaching takes different forms in different social contexts. It contends that, in India, English language teaching should be oriented towards reaching the grassroots learners to fulfill the project of decolonizing at present. In literature, it is argued, that native literature should be given prominence, and the texts in English translations can be used to counteract colonial alienation. Offering a critique of double linguistic hegemony of English and Sanskrit, the paper argues that the teachers of English have a responsibility in rehabilitating native or regional literature. It is suggested that a paradigm shift in the importance given to translations is needed in carrying out the decolonizing project.