Module: General Practice
Q42: Consider the following statements regarding the socio-political role of language in the narrative:
1. The English language in the story functions purely as a neutral, practical tool for global business communication without any embedded class implications.
2. Shamnath wields his fluency in English as a psychological weapon to assert his superiority and maintain control over his non-English speaking mother.
3. The American Boss's use of the Hindi word "Namaste" represents a superficial but stark contrast to Shamnath's rigid linguistic elitism.
Which of the statements given above is/are INCORRECT?
2. Shamnath wields his fluency in English as a psychological weapon to assert his superiority and maintain control over his non-English speaking mother.
3. The American Boss's use of the Hindi word "Namaste" represents a superficial but stark contrast to Shamnath's rigid linguistic elitism.
Which of the statements given above is/are INCORRECT?
✅ Correct Answer: A
Statement 1 is the only incorrect statement.
This question examines linguistic imperialism.
Structurally, language is never neutral in Sahni's work; it is a profound marker of class, power, and inclusion (Statement 1 is false). Shamnath uses English to exclude his mother, making her feel inadequate and terrified because she cannot participate in the language of power (Statement 2). Conversely, the American Boss, secure in his supreme position of authority, can afford to playfully dabble in Hindi, throwing out a "Namaste" which completely disarms the terrified mother and highlights Shamnath's unnecessary rigidity (Statement 3). Historically, in post-colonial India, English fluency became the ultimate gatekeeper for upward mobility, permanently marginalizing the vernacular-speaking older generations.
The causal link demonstrates that Shamnath's shame regarding his mother's monolingualism stems directly from his equation of the English language with basic human worth.
This question examines linguistic imperialism.
Structurally, language is never neutral in Sahni's work; it is a profound marker of class, power, and inclusion (Statement 1 is false). Shamnath uses English to exclude his mother, making her feel inadequate and terrified because she cannot participate in the language of power (Statement 2). Conversely, the American Boss, secure in his supreme position of authority, can afford to playfully dabble in Hindi, throwing out a "Namaste" which completely disarms the terrified mother and highlights Shamnath's unnecessary rigidity (Statement 3). Historically, in post-colonial India, English fluency became the ultimate gatekeeper for upward mobility, permanently marginalizing the vernacular-speaking older generations.
The causal link demonstrates that Shamnath's shame regarding his mother's monolingualism stems directly from his equation of the English language with basic human worth.