Fifteen years - ( humorous essay ) by R. K. NARAYAN

Fifteen Years                                                                R.K. Narayan

Fifteen Years is a humorous essay written by R. K. Narayan who is a great Indian English writer. He wrote many a number of novels, short stories and essays. All of them are blended with wit and humour. At the same time they are thought-provoking as well. In the essay titled “Fifteen years” R.K. Narayan points out humorously how it is not possible to banish English from India. He presents his arguments in the form of a dialogue between two characters. One is English language and the other is a judge who opposes English language and he wants to banish English from India. In this essay the author points out many practical and emotional reasons why English cannot be banished from India. On the other hand he proves that English is not a foreign language, but an integral part of India because this language has been spoken by Indians for the last three hundred years.

R.K.Narayan in his essay titled “Fifteen Years” speaks about the status of English in India before and after Independence. Before Independence, people in India used to say as a matter of prestige that she speaks perfect English and she would get a better job. Everyone was proud of English language and tried to learn it. Knowing English language was a matter of prestige and status symbol in society. To write a letter in English was considered as the best qualification for a bride at that time. But after independence, regional languages began to be developed and narrow minded regionalism and patriotism forced people to reject English language. Now it has become a prestige to cry for the abolition of English in the name of patriotism.

R.K. Narayan says that in spite of all the narrow minded oppositions from a section of people, English language has become an integral part of India. English is the medium of instruction in schools and colleges. English is the official language and used in all law courts and administrative offices. The language has a “siren-like charm and a lot of persistence”. The author uses personifications in the essay. English is personified as a prisoner in a law court English is also personified as a woman. and those who oppose English are personified as a judge. The prisoner asks the judge what she has done that the judge hates her so much. The judge does not answer because he has nothing to say against the language. Somehow he says that English is the language of British rulers who are the oppressors of India. India was enslaved by the British. But the judge spoke in English. Thus the author proves that even today Indians in every state communicate each other with the help of English, because there are many regional languages and a Malayali speaks to Tamilian in English. Bengali speaks to a man from Karnataka only in English because they don’t know regional languages. Thus even today, many years after independence, English is essential for communication between inter-states.  No language including Hindi cannot take the place of English in communication between the states in India. More over English has become a global language.

Essay: How does R.K. Narayan prove that English is no longer a foreign language?

Write short notes of 50 words on each of the following:

1. The status of English in India before and after Independence  2^nd paragraph.

2. The use of personification in the essay.                                    3^rd paragraph

3. The practical uses of the English language in India.                3^rd paragraph.