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Question
What happens to a linguistic minority in a state? How do you think they can keep their language alive? For example:
Punjabis in Bangalore
Tamilians in Mumbai
Kannadigas in Delhi
Gujaratis in Kolkata
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Solution
A linguistic minority in a state does not have as much liberty to exercise linguistic skills as the natives of the state. They initially try to learn the jargons in order to cope with the day-to-day life activities and finally begin to understand the native language with regular interaction. At the workplace and educational organisations, English or the link language helps a lot to cope up with the work and learning process. But, when it comes to understanding the basic norms of the society, in order to socialize, one does face a sort of linguistic barrier during communication.
To keep their language alive, the linguistic minorities can form small communities where they can celebrate their festivals as per their traditions. Moreover, they can continue to speak their native language at their homes in order to make their children learn the language. People must, even, try to visit their native places at regular intervals in order to stay close to their roots.
Notes
A model answer has been provided for students' reference. It is strongly recommended that students prepare the answer on their own.
RELATED QUESTIONS
Answer the following question in 120 – 150 words:
Our language is part of our culture and we are proud of it. Describe how regretful M. Hamel and the village elders are for having neglected their native language, French.
The entire classroom, M. Hamel as well as those present in the class, is full of regret. For what and why?
Answer the following question in 120 − 150 words :
Everybody during the last lesson is filled with regret. Comment. (The Last Lesson)
Answer the following question in 120 − 150 words :
How different from usual was the atmosphere at school on the day of the last lesson? (The Last Lesson)
Answer the following question in 120-150 words :
How did the order from Berlin change the situation in the school ? (The Last Lesson)
The Last Lesson shows that people suddenly realised how precious their language was to them.
Comment.
Notice these expressions in the text. Infer their meaning from the context.
- in great dread of
- counted on
- thumbed at the edges
- in unison
- a great bustle
- reproach ourselves with
What did Franz notice that was unusual about the school that day?
What changes did the order from Berlin cause in school that day?
How did Franz's feelings about M. Hamel and school change?
The people in this story suddenly realize how precious their language is to them. What shows you this? Why does this happen?
Franz thinks, “Will they make them sing in German, even the pigeons?” What could this mean?
“When a people are enslaved, as long as they hold fast to their language it is as if they had the key to their prison.”
Can you think of examples in history where conquered people had their language taken away from them or had a language imposed on them?
Is it possible to carry pride in one’s language too far? Do you know what ‘linguistic chauvinism’ means?
Notice the underlined words in these sentences and tick the option that best explains their meanings.
“When a people are enslaved, as long as they hold fast to their language it is as if they had the key to their prison.”
It is as if they have the key to the prison as long as they _______________ .
Given below is a survey form. Talk to at least five of your classmates and fill in the information you get in the form.
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Languages you know |
Home language |
Neighbourhood language |
City/Town language |
School language |
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Have you ever changed your opinion about someone or something that you had earlier liked or disliked? Narrate what led you to change your mind.
Read the given extract and answer the questions.
| Usually, when school began, there was a great bustle, which could be heard out in the street, the opening and closing of desks, lessons repeated in unison, very loud, with our hands over our ears to understand better, and the teacher’s great ruler rapping on the table. But now it was all so still! I had counted on the commotion to get to my desk without being seen; but, of course, that day everything had to be as quiet as Sunday morning. Through the window I saw my classmates, already in their places, and M. Hamel walking up and down with his terrible iron ruler under his arm. I had to open the door and go in before everybody. You can imagine how I blushed and how frightened I was. |
- List any two sensory details present in this extract. (1)
- Why does the protagonist feel anxious about entering the classroom on this particular day? (1)
- The classmates have started the lesson
- The teacher is in a bad mood
- The classroom is too quiet
- The protagonist is running late
- Complete the sentence appropriately. (1)
The phrase "as quiet as Sunday morning" suggests that ______. - Pick evidence from the extract that helps one infer that this was not the protagonist’s first time being late to school. (1)
- What does the term 'terrible iron ruler' indicate about M. Hamel? (1)
- Which of the following headlines best suggests the central idea of the extract? (1)
- The Fears of a Latecomer
- The Importance of Punctuality
- The Rigidity of the School System
- The Anxiety of a Young Student
Form groups of three. Write three sentences of three words each.
Form groups of four. Write four sentences of four words each.
Try to write phrases with each word beginning with the same letter.
Find the explanation for ‘participles’ given in the book.
In what region does the story take place?
What is it like when your school begins? Tell it in short.
Why is the iron ruler said to be ‘terrible’?
Who is narrating the story?
Think and answer:
Is the school closing down?
Think and answer:
What subjects does Franz study in school?
Think and answer:
Why were the old men of the village attending school that day?
Find where Alsace and Loraine are located with the help of the map.
Why did M. Hamel not scold Franz?
With the coming of the Prussians, will language be the only thing that will change? What other changes may take place?
Why does the author say, ‘I never saw him look so tall’?
Find five examples of commonly used past participles from the story. For example, said, learnt.
What is the meaning of the following word and phrase in the passage? Choose the correct alternative.
Terrible iron ruler
What is the meaning of the following word and phrase in the passage? Choose the correct alternative.
What a thunderclap these words were to me!
Why was Franz sad?
What should people never lose even when they lose freedom?
Continue to write as many sentences as the number of students in the group, till you reach the number 10.
After that, go on forming bigger groups and writing sentences with as many words as the number of students in the group. However, you may write only one or two sentences at each step after 10.
See if you can make a sentence with as many words in it as there are students in your classroom.
Write the sentence in big letters on chart paper and display it in the classroom.
