Reflections on Language and Multilingualism by Dr. Rahul Pratap Singh
In my years as a language teacher and writer proficient
in Hindi, English, Sanskrit, and French—and as a speaker of Telugu, Urdu, and
my native Bagheli—I have come to understand language as nothing less than a Kalpavriksha,
the divine wish-fulfilling tree of our ancient myths.
"Language is a Kalpavriksha; it gives whatever is
asked of it with faith. If nothing is asked, since nothing appears hanging on
its tree, the Kalpavriksha gives nothing in return."
This profound truth has revealed itself to me countless
times throughout my journey with languages. Allow me to share my perspective on
this miraculous medium that has shaped my life and teaching philosophy.
The Boundless Power of Expression
As someone who navigates between multiple linguistic
worlds daily, I've experienced firsthand how language serves as the most
powerful vehicle for human thought and emotion. Like the mythical Kalpavriksha
that fulfills all desires, language provides us the precise tools we need to
manifest our inner realities.
When I compose poetry in Sanskrit, teach French grammar,
or tell stories in my mother tongue Bagheli, I am drawing from different
branches of this divine tree, each offering unique fruits of expression. The
richness of Hindi idioms, the precision of English, the mathematical elegance
of Sanskrit, and the melodic flow of French—each provides distinctive pathways
to articulate the same human experience.
The Infinite Creative Source
In my writing practice across four languages, I have
discovered language to be an inexhaustible wellspring of creativity. Just as a
Kalpavriksha yields limitless fruits, the combinations of words across my
linguistic repertoire generate endless possibilities for creation.
I often find that a concept that begins in one language
transforms when I approach it through another. A poem conceived in Hindi takes
on new dimensions when reimagined in French. The ancient wisdom contained in a
Sanskrit verse reveals hidden facets when translated into modern English. This
cross-pollination between languages has been the foundation of my creative
process.
The Living Repository of Knowledge
As both teacher and perpetual student of languages, I
view each tongue as a vast storehouse of accumulated human wisdom. Sanskrit
connects me to millennia of philosophical inquiry; Hindi links me to the rich
tapestry of South Asian literature; English opens doorways to global scientific
discourse; French offers me access to profound Western philosophical
traditions.
Each language I've mastered has expanded my intellectual
horizons exponentially. When speaking Telugu with colleagues or Urdu with
friends, I gain access to cultural insights and knowledge systems that would
otherwise remain closed to me.
The Carrier of Cultural Heritage
My fluency in seven languages has allowed me to become
not just a teacher of vocabulary and grammar, but a bridge between cultures.
Each language carries within it the values, histories, and worldviews of its
speakers.
When I speak Bagheli, I am not merely communicating—I am
keeping alive a regional linguistic tradition rich with folk wisdom and rural
perspectives. Similarly, my work in Sanskrit helps preserve an ancient
knowledge system for future generations.
The Personal Benefits of Multilingualism
Cognitive Expansion
My journey with multiple languages has reshaped my
cognitive abilities in profound ways. Each new language I've acquired has
trained my brain to think differently, to see patterns where others might not,
and to approach problems from multiple angles simultaneously.
Teaching languages has shown me that students who engage
with multiple linguistic systems develop remarkable mental flexibility. I've
observed how multilingual learners excel in areas requiring creative
problem-solving and adaptive thinking.
Cultural Immersion
Knowing seven languages has granted me the privilege of
experiencing cultures not as an outsider but as a participant. I can engage
with French literature in its original beauty, appreciate Urdu poetry with its
intended resonance, and understand the nuances of regional expressions in
Telugu and Bagheli that simply cannot be translated.
This depth of cultural understanding has enriched my life
immeasurably and informs my approach to language instruction, where I emphasize
cultural context alongside technical proficiency.
Professional Horizons
My multilingual capabilities have opened professional
doors that would have remained firmly closed otherwise. Beyond teaching, my
ability to write in four languages and speak in seven has allowed me to serve
as a cultural consultant, translator, and bridge-builder in various contexts.
In today's interconnected world, I've found that
linguistic versatility is increasingly valued across professional fields. I
encourage my students to view language acquisition not merely as an academic
exercise but as a practical investment in their future opportunities.
Global Citizenship
Perhaps most importantly, my experience as a
multilingualist has fostered in me a sense of global citizenship. When you can
converse fluently with people from different linguistic backgrounds, artificial
boundaries begin to dissolve. My ability to move between Hindi, English,
Sanskrit, French, Telugu, Urdu, and Bagheli has given me a perspective that
transcends national and cultural divisions.
I've come to recognize that despite our different
languages, we share common human experiences and aspirations. This realization
has made me a more effective educator and a more compassionate human being.
The Responsibility of Language Stewardship
As a language teacher and multilingual writer, I believe
we have a sacred responsibility toward this Kalpavriksha. We must approach
language with reverence, curiosity, and dedication. We must nurture our
linguistic heritage while remaining open to new forms of expression.
Each time we learn a new language, we add another
dimension to our understanding of humanity. Each time we preserve an endangered
dialect like Bagheli, we safeguard a unique way of experiencing the world.
The Kalpavriksha of language rewards those who approach
it with genuine dedication. My life's work has been to help others discover the
gifts waiting on its branches—the intellectual growth, cultural understanding,
professional opportunities, and global perspective that come from embracing
multiple languages.
In our increasingly globalized society, multilingualism
is not merely an academic achievement but a practical necessity and a path to a
more connected world. I encourage everyone to venture beyond linguistic comfort
zones, to ask more from the Kalpavriksha of language, and to discover the
abundant fruits it offers in return.
Dr. Rahul Pratap Singh is a language educator and
writer proficient in Hindi, English, Sanskrit, and French.
He also speaks
Telugu, Urdu, and Bagheli.
His work focuses on promoting multilingualism
and
preserving linguistic diversity.