English in India: From Borrowed Tongue to Native Voice

Abstract

The history of the English language in India is a complex and fascinating journey, marked by its transition from an imposed colonial tool to a multifaceted and deeply rooted native voice. This article traces this evolution, arguing that English in India has transcended its origins as a “borrowed tongue” to become a “native voice”, a powerful medium for cultural expression, national identity, and social mobility. Initially introduced by the British for administrative and educational purposes, English was a symbol of power and a marker of a select elite. However, over the decades, it has been indigenised, appropriated, and transformed by millions of Indians, giving rise to distinct Indian Englishes, each with its own unique phonology, grammar, and vocabulary. This transformation is not merely linguistic; it is a profound act of cultural reclamation. This article explores how Indian writers, filmmakers, and thinkers have used English to articulate postcolonial experiences, challenge colonial narratives, and represent the rich diversity of a multilingual nation. It examines the socio-economic and cultural factors that have solidified English’s position as a crucial lingua franca and a language of aspiration in contemporary India. This article posits that the “nativisation” of English is a testament to the resilience and creative genius of the Indian people, who have moulded a foreign language to express their unique cultural realities and global aspirations.