For wider scope and opportunities
THE COUNTRY’S national language, Dzongkha, is fighting a losing battle to English.
Be it in schools or workplaces, English is extensively used for everyday business. And those who study Dzongkha say the government hasn’t created enough opportunities for them.
Workplaces demand more English literate persons, and most people, seeing scope and opportunity, choose to specialize in English.
Dzongkha experts say the government’s political will to promote the language is not matched by its deeds. In fact, some senior ministers have openly said achievements made so far in promoting the national language are enough. They have tacitly indicated Dzongkha can never compete with English.
Therefore, the priority of learning dzongkha is overwhelmed by English, and to make Dzongkha a powerful language, growth of interest in Dzongkha learners needs exceptional cause of learning, utility and usage of the language.
The secretary of Dzongkha Development Commission, Dasho Sherub Gyeltshen, said the general impression of complexity and intricacy in learning Dzongkha will be outweighed if remarkable scope and opportunities are created for learners.
“The development of Dzongkha has to be prescribed by opportunities, usage, and utility of the language in the country,” he said. “The ultimate objective must not only be to develop Dzongkha but also to create opportunities.”
A member of the Royal Privy Council, Dasho Sangay Wangchuk, said Dzongkha being the cultural heritage of Bhutan has to be enhanced along with Chokey, as it provides the former with rich literature. He said the effort to create utility for the language has to start from administrative levels.
But there are others who believe the language has gained much advancement and its usage within the country has been enhanced. They say Dzongkha doesn’t need further advancement.
People are also of the opinion that Dzongkha has developed enough in the past two decades and to develop the country further, to step into the business world, English needs further advancement.
They say advancing Dzongkha may not necessarily bring development in the country, but, English as an international language can reach Bhutan to great heights.
The chairperson of the National Council, Namgay Penjore, said Dzongkha doesn’t need further advancement. He also believes that in terms of development goals, English should be the medium of language.
He said since most planning activities come from the local level in Dzongkha and the bills and plans are also made in Dzongkha, therefore, the language is not ignored but enhanced.
However, Dasho Sherub Gyeltshen disagreed. He said that with the present status of Dzongkha in the country, learners are ignored at every corner and the curiosity of learning Dzongkha will die sooner than later.
Namgay Penjore said Dzongkha learners can pursue opportunities both inside and outside Bhutan, but they need to have exceptional English language skills along with Dzongkha.
He said there was a time when everyone was comfortable learning and speaking Dzongkha, but now people feel more comfortable learning and speaking English. Therefore, the development of Dzongkha must go hand in hand with English.
Dasho Sherub Gyeltshen agreed Dzongkha development will have to go along with English to seek prospects. However, DDC has formulated a plan that includes teaching English to Dzongkha learners, and Dzongkha to English learners.
He said people’s ambitions put Dzongkha at a disadvantage because they feel knowing Dzongkha alone will not bring them power, wealth, and advancement in life.
Dzongkha experts therefore say that no matter how the language policy reads of the importance of Dzongkha, it will appear secondary because of its utility, scope, and opportunity.
Civil servants say that since a majority of working people is the product of English medium education, their strength will always be English.
However, the judiciary is giving much priority in advancing Dzongkha.
A member of the National Assembly, MP Sonam Penjor, said intricacy in speaking Dzongkha comes along with newly coined words. He said coining too many new words confuses people.
“Dzongkha is already an exceptional language,” he said, “and English as an international language is used widely in the country.”
He said learning Dzongkha needs strong foundation. Namgay Penjore and Dasho Sangay Wangchuk said the possibility of advancing Dzongkha needs building strong foundations at the primary level.
Dasho Sangay Wangchuk said with limited Dzongkha literature, learners have no choice but to turn to English. He said the DDC needs linguists and translators to create more Dzongkha literature.
However, the country’s Parliament must make strong decisions if Dzongkha is to be advanced further, say experts.
They say the long-term future of Dzongkha depends on the politicians.
“Politicians must understand that Dzongkha is an integral part of our identity, and often English will not be able to serve the purpose of Dzongkha despite its numerous advantages,” said an expert.
Source: thejournalist.bt