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"Budha tota Aab
Kya Padhega" (an old parrot won't read) is an old saying in Hindi. This type
of mentality is a great challenge for adult Education.
According
to Gandhiji illiterate persons are not uneducated persons. According to him village
illiterates are more experienced and hence educated. At present the means of communication-radio,
film-TV etc., are frequently used in day to day life. People are getting more
and more information through these means. Thus illiteracy is considered as the
one reason why they are called uneducated. The aim to educate the illiterate adult
is to make him self dependent in his daily needs of reading and writing. Mahatma
Gandhi, while talking about adult education, pointed out-"Knowledge of history
and Geography may be imparted in discussion. If a black-board is available literacy
may be taught" (Aims of Adult Education p. 53).
Literacy
Literacy may not be the ultimate goal of adult education but it is definitely
a powerful means. While thinking of literacy language should be given importance.
Language is the means of expression and discussion. The model form of language
is the written form. Its dialect form is found in regional pockets.
Mothertongue
: Real Perspective
Mothertongue is a socially accepted
media to society. In a family where standard language is not used, the children
use the language which they learn from their parents. This language is different
from the standard language. The latter can not be called motertongue. According
to Ballard home dialect is 'mothere tongue' acquired from the parents. (Thought
and Language). Mother tongue is different from the standard dialect. For example
the vast region, in which Hindi is spoken, has many variations of dialects. In
U.P. a number of dialects are prevailing. From childhood children learn these
dialects. But when they go to schools they are taught in standard Hindi.
Mothertongue is the standard form of the dialects. They are very near in expression
and acquisition. It is difficult to differentiate dialect and language. Dialects
reflect disintegration while language integration. Language has a wide range while
dialect has a limited one. Language is used for imparting instructions etc, while
dialect is used only for general conversation. Frequent use of contacts inspires
the language and expresses it while dialect causes saparation.
Teaching
of Adults
In Hindi it is said that after every two
miles the taste of water changes, after eight miles dialect changes. According
to Grierson, for example, the Malvi region of Madhya Pradesh has four dialects-Malvior
Ahiri, Sondhwari, Hoshangabadi and mixed Malvi. According to some other linguists
it has only two-Malvi and Rangadi and ten forms of Rangadi. So is the case with
Maithili, Bhojpuri, Bundeli etc.
An adult generally uses
dialect in daily life. 'Mother tongue' is an example of this. But from the practical
point of view it may not be acceptable. According to census Report 1961 Malvi
is spoken by 905405 who speak eleven dialects. If one dialect is used for imparting
instructions others who speak other dialects may also demand the same facility.
Another point here is whether the adults will get follow-up material in those
dialects after learning in dialects. The salient feature of adult education is
to provide the required ability to the adult so that he becomes self dependent
in his day to day necessities of reading and writing. This type of material such
as forms etc., may only be available in Regional language. For the adults who
are taught the regional language, dialect is also useful. Dialect may be useful
and encourage for discussion purposes.
Choosing of words
While preparing instructional materials for Haryana we could feel what role the
dialect could play. We used one word of standard language 'Peng or Peeng' which
might not have expressed the meaning. Instead of 'Peng' or 'Peeng', 'Jhonta' was
used and it could express the meaning. It means that words of local life and culture
may be used when there is need. But they have limitations. For this, help of local
people ought to be sought. For the purpose of literacy only that language should
be sought. For the purpose of literacy only that language should be used which
is used by governmental and non-government agencies. The same in useful for the
needs of reading and writing in which follow up literature is available, designed
with this point of view.