... in which Malayalis don't speak like Malayalis.
In the recent past, I have come across a few youth-ish films in which youngsters talk like foreigners learning Malayalam. (At least the foreigners sound cute.) In reality, even in Bangalore, I don't hear so much Englishised Malayalam as that. Malayalis born and brought up outside Kerala may have this difficulty in twisting their tongues to the 'zhas' and 'Las' of Malayalam. When I look around, I see my son and children of my friends let go the perfect Malayalam that their parents taught them when they started speech. In this multi-cultural environment that they are growing up in, holding on to one language is very tough. The children are shifting to a mixed accent right before our eyes, and there is not much we can do about it, except insist they stick to the Mother-tongue at home.
But Kerala is a different story. Or isn't it? I don't remember coming across such atrocious accent in Kerala so far. Maybe it is cleverly evading me.
If the youth in Kerala really speak like that, I pity them.
If they don't, I still pity them, because many of them are going to watch these films and begin faking their accent.
Older posts:
Malayalam, a Unique Language
In the recent past, I have come across a few youth-ish films in which youngsters talk like foreigners learning Malayalam. (At least the foreigners sound cute.) In reality, even in Bangalore, I don't hear so much Englishised Malayalam as that. Malayalis born and brought up outside Kerala may have this difficulty in twisting their tongues to the 'zhas' and 'Las' of Malayalam. When I look around, I see my son and children of my friends let go the perfect Malayalam that their parents taught them when they started speech. In this multi-cultural environment that they are growing up in, holding on to one language is very tough. The children are shifting to a mixed accent right before our eyes, and there is not much we can do about it, except insist they stick to the Mother-tongue at home.
But Kerala is a different story. Or isn't it? I don't remember coming across such atrocious accent in Kerala so far. Maybe it is cleverly evading me.
If the youth in Kerala really speak like that, I pity them.
If they don't, I still pity them, because many of them are going to watch these films and begin faking their accent.
Older posts:
Malayalam, a Unique Language
1. I doubt these movies could have any sort of impact on the coming generation of youth. While being constantly exposed to atrocious TV shows right from their wee years, I doubt this could have any stronger an influence.
ReplyDelete2. Being an NRI [born and brought up]myself, I have to say - upbringing be it in Kerala or outside, solely lies in the hands of the parents, and values entrenched remains same everywhere. To cite an Example: The renowned Jyaanapeedth winner Sri ONV was in town a couple of weeks back. And I attended his function. In his speech he was speaking of the exemplary efforts of the Delhi Malayalee Samajam to promote the language there among Keralites. It's impact was such that the Delhi CM declared that on every Sat, an hour will be allocated in schools for students to pursue their mother tongue. :)
3. Neither have I come across any atrocious accents inside Kerala, though I have been exposed to NRI's who have had no base in the language from home or school.
aaaah ..u gave me an idea for my next blog
ReplyDeleteBtw i am malaylam language spoiler. But i have an excuse. I belong to north india
Haven't seen those movies yet, so can't comment on that. But I came across some reality music shows for kids in Asianet, felt sad listening to the child who compered the show, the much faked accent was just ridiculous! Maybe they all still look up to Ranjini Haridas, the founder of so called 'Malyalm' and continue to get inspired :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post! Makes me want to blog about "Love your mother tongue and be proud of it!"
To add to Divya's comment... I had been in Delhi for 7 years and it was a pain to hear most of the Malayali parents speaking to their children in Hindi (nalla Hindiyaanenkilum vendillaayirunnu).... You should learn from Tamilians... they will only speak in Tamil - no matter how big they are in richness or employment!!
ReplyDelete@Renjith: Strongly agree with your bit on Tamilians.. any part of the world.. they are the same.. We malayalees are one malleable bunch!
ReplyDeleteFunniest experience I had:
ReplyDeleteA newly joined lady in our Dubai office (who lived her entire life in Kerala) told me that she doesn't know Malayalam well since she studies in English medium and did her post-graduation in Chennai.
"Malleable".. very much suitable to Malayalees..
Speaking with an accent or no accent, at least they are speaking in their Mother tongue. My daughter barely speaks Gujarati, because of our travel and stuff. Speaking with an accent is not an issue, faking it is the real problem. That would be worrying because it certainly means they aren't comfortable in their skin and that would be a larger problem as they try to succeed in the world.
ReplyDelete@Renjith: I am from Tamilnadu and I have come across innumerable Tamilians who don't mind speaking in accented English, the issue is only when it comes to Hindi. They'll insist on not speaking in. :0)
Thank you everyone, for sharing your thoughts and experiences on this! I appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteI understand, and have always felt the same too! There seems to be a misunderstanding among Malayalees that 'adding water to the language' and 'Englishifying' while talking in Malayalam makes you 'hep' and 'cool'. Also, you should say "yo, yo!" at regular intervals. What a shame!
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, I blame Ranjini Haridas for this. She is a disgrace to Malayalees and Malayalam! Atleast Sreesanth does not maul the language.
true! well people who born and brought up outside Kerala have dificulty in speaking malayalam, its understandable, but sad that a lot of malayalee people take and understand and believe that its a fashion and intentionally speak like that!
ReplyDeleteI studied in Kerala for 4 years and used to watch Malyalam movies sometimes...Few of them are really good but what I never liked in them is that they are old fashioned and most of them are oriented on some older social topics about which nobody cares now....
ReplyDeleteBy the way, here is my IndiVine post. Check it and if you like it then please Promote it too there on IndiVine.
http://www.indiblogger.in/indipost.php?post=72607
Thanks :)
Ironical... I am Tamil and i've noticed Tamils killing their language. For example, Mallus make the distinction btw 'l' and 'zh', Tamils never do. The word itself is Tamizh, not Tamil :)
ReplyDeleteHi All ...
ReplyDeleteBeing born and brought up in North India, I am an ardent fan and follower of old malayalam films wherein artists knew acting with a strong storyline and direction. But now, we can see only komallitharam. Personaly I get annoyed seeing the new generation actor's acting. Moreover y do the latest malayalam movies have ENGLISH names like cocktail, notebook, silence, buddy, hotel california etc. Couple of days back only I watched a movie by name "kangaroo". Movie'll kangaroo poyittu oru patti polum kandilla and the movie was no-way related to the title.