Date: Sat, 12 Sep 1998 15:26:13 +0500
Subject: Re: Language and colonialism


At 07:50 AM 9/10/98 -0400, Terrie Goldie wrote:
>Dr. Gupta's work seems fascinating and of enormous use to us all but this

Sorry for the late response -- just wasn't able to get down to this, amidst
some preoccupations. And it's a "Mr."

Glad you find the views interesting.

>indigenous language/English split is difficult to see as a binary. Just to

I probably haven't been able to make the point clear.

1. A "split" in the psychological sense (as I was using the term) is *not*
a binary. It is a separatedness in the human psyche, marked by very strong
boundaries and disparateness. It is also an unconscious phenomenon. It is
sometimes found separating whole personalities within the same individual
(as in the very rare "Three Faces of Eve"); and, more commonly, other more
differentiated parts of the psychic structure.

2. The split I was referring to is not language-based at all. The split is
between the individual's world of thoughts and beliefs on the one hand; and
his/her world of feelings/action, on the other.

The thoughts and beliefs are more strongly anchored in western frames of
logic and world view; and, as such, when thinking, closely associated with
the English language. In expression, whether in an Indian language or the
English language, the thoughts and beliefs derived from the western frames
are communicated.

In action and feelings, however, traditional frames are in operation.

A small example : in work organisations, no one can refute the logic and
need of individualised appraisals and feedback. Most people here, like in
many other cultures (both western and eastern) would swear by the need for it.

But in India, when it comes to actually giving the feedback, a rare
individual is able to state the whole truth to the subordinate. More often
the `feedbacker' would be very tentative, unsure of himself/herself, (lots
of hems and haws, as a result !) and caught with some shame or guilt. This
is because the traditional feedbacking process in India always indirect,
and is not anchored by one individual alone (as it is in the western
performance appraisal process). Traditionally, in India, the whole, or a
good part of, the system is involved in the appraisal process.

So, people believe and think that they ought to give direct feedback
(western tradition), but in actual practice end up giving nothing ! And
relying on indirect ways.


Cheers.


<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Shyamal Gupta
25D, Selimpore Road, Calcutta 700 031. INDIA
Voice/Fax : 91-33-4736164
E-Mail : shyamal-AT-iname.com 
	  shyamal-AT-giascl01.vsnl.net.in
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