Daily Times

Sir: It is said that a child is born with language, but learns the ability to use it. We are compromising this ability of the new generation.

Gone are the days when Urdu was taught as a strict discipline even in convent schools, like my own St. Patrick’s High School. Our Urdu teachers were very strict when it came to speaking Urdu. We were made to recite, read and answer questions in front of the class. We had regular poetry and elocution and were corrected on our use of Urdu grammar and pronunciation.

At home, my parents were strict, but we also had the blessing of learning from our grandparents, migrants from Hindustan. Their Urdu was impeccable and I consider myself extremely lucky to have taken this part of my reinforcement for granted.

I urge the parents of these private schoolgoing children to pay attention to their speech and language. The schools should hire teachers who should focus not just on written, but also on spoken Urdu.

If we do not check this deterioration of the Urdu language at private schools and at homes, our children will soon be speaking another language called Ur-di.

Dr Jahanzeb Effendi

Karachi