PARVEEN KUMARI (CENTRAL UNIVERSITY OF JAMMU, INDIA)

ENGLISH: AN OPPORTUNITY TO DALIT (OUTCASTE) EMPOWERMENT : ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC/SPECIFIC PURPOSES

Language is not only a means of communication but also reflects the personality, behaviour, creativity and ideology of the communicator. The language used in daily communication plays a significant role in people’s socio-economic empowerment and adds value and meaning to life. However, language also brings demarcation and dictates the centre of power of the dominant in relation to 'other' individuals in society. In Indian society, caste is still a prevailing observable fact. The distress of being born as Dalit (outcaste) is now becoming the discourse not only at the national but also on the world stage. Dalit writers and activists like Chandra Bhan Prasad, Kancha Illiah, Meena Kandaswamy, etc., observe that Indian languages carry the legacy of upper castes. These upcoming Dalit writers narrating their sufferings, however, find English as neutral to caste. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the crusader of the Dalits declared English as an instrument of social emancipation and empowerment. In this context, the present paper through extracts of the writings of Dalit writers aims to highlight that being the language of opportunities, English not only enables this marginalized section to progress but also helps Dalits to make the world acquainted with their sufferings. English helps Dalits to bring and discuss their problems and sufferings on the national as well as world stage.

Dr. Parveen Kumari (MA, Ph.D. UGC-NET JRF) is working as an Assistant Professor in the Department of English at Central University of Jammu, India. Her area of research is Subaltern writings. She has published one book and 21 papers in national and international peer-reviewed journals including Scopus and Routledge publications.