Skip to main content
Log in

The language question in higher education: trends and issues

  • Published:
Higher Education Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Nowhere is the language scenario and the problems associated with it as complex and controversial as in a multicultural and linguistically diverse country like India. Since language is the medium through which educational transactions take place, the vicissitudes of language and the language controversies have had a significant bearing on the structure, process, and outcome of her educational endeavour. This article examines the various issues and trends in the language conundrum vis-à-vis education in general and higher education in particular. Broadly, it is divided into four parts. The first part provides a brief sketch of the background and context in which the linguistic imbroglio in higher education becomes meaningful. The next two parts deal respectively with the twin aspects of the language problem in relation to education, namely, language instruction and language as a medium of instruction. The concluding part recapitulates the scenario and delineates the dilemmas of policy perspective.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Association of Indian Universities (1985).Universities Handbook, 1985–86 (Diamond Jubilee Edition). New Delhi: Association of Indian Universities.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brass, P. R. (1990).The Politics of India Since Independence (The New Cambridge History of India, IV-1). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chaturvedi, M. G. and Mahale, B. V. (1976).Position of Languages in School Curriculum in India. New Delhi: National Council of Educational Research and Training.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chaturvedi, M. G. and Singh, S. (1981).Third All-India Educational Survey: Languages and Media of Instruction in Indian Schools. New Delhi: National Council of Educational Research and Training.

    Google Scholar 

  • Government of Karnataka (1980).Universities in Karnataka: Report of Review Commission. Bangalore.

  • Gupta, J. D. (1970).Language Conflict and National Development: Group Politics and National Language Policy in India. Berkeley: University of California Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kamat, A. R. (1985).Education and Social Change in India. Bombay: Somaiya Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ministry of Education, Government of India (1962).The Report of the University Education Commission, 1948–49. Delhi: The Manager of Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ministry of Education, Government of India (1971).Education and National Development (Report of the Education Commission, 1964–66). New Delhi: National Council of Educational Research and Training.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pattanayak, D. P. (1981).Multilingualism and Mother Tongue Education. New Delhi: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reddy, A. V. R. (1979). ‘Students' reactions towards English and regional media: a comparative study’,Journal of Higher Education 5, 101–8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saraswathi, L. S. (1989). ‘Medium of instruction in Tamil Nadu’, in Panchamukhi, P. R. (ed.),Studies in Educational Reform in India (Vol. IV: Medium of Instruction and the Examination Reform at Different Levels). Bombay: Himalaya Publishing House, pp. 1–95.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tiwari, N. P. (1982). ‘Role of English language in the technical education system’,Journal of Higher Education 8, 102–7.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Jayaram, N. The language question in higher education: trends and issues. High Educ 26, 93–114 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01575108

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01575108

Keywords

Navigation