Linguistic Imperialism

after the rise in oil prices, arabs now have money coming out of their ears. to put this into perspective, arab trade surplus now is twice that of china. in addition, evidence seems to indicate that arabs this time will spend their fortune wisely unlike after the last oil boom. in investment terms, this has meant that arabs are now investing more in their own infrastructure as well as in countries outside the west including pakistan, where they now control the telecom sector and have stakes in banking and the refining sector and are on the prowl to buy other important assets as they are privatised. pakistanis therefore, who dont like arab influence, are going to have a hard time going forward. i would in fact also advise young pakistani college graduates to brush up on arbee cause that will help them to get high paying jobs.

Zia Ahmad #37: ``The whole point here is that the English ``takeover`` IS in fact considered to be a negative, but the Arabic one is so subtle that we don`t even see it.``

Are you sure that the English take-over is considered a, ``negative,`` by the newspaper you have mentioned...........Or by a certain group in the Pakistani society...........? I highly doubt it........It is infact pushed deliberately, much like the Arabic take-over is pushed........Both have ideological motives behind what they support. Take-over of Pakistan culture is a secondary issue, for them.

For example, Friday Times is the most ideologically inclined newspaper I have read in Pakistan. It is the equivalent of the Urdu Takbeer; albeit from the other end. I don`t know of any newspaper, that as a matter of policy pushes so much foreign culture. A typical article has Tinko going to the Valentine`s dance with Bobby`s, wearing Armani, which he bought for Minky`s Halloween party!

What part of this is Pakistani, or Punjabi or Pathan or Sindhi etc.? Obviously none. Which is why I find any article, originally, printed in Friday Times, being critical of pushing foreign cultures, in Pakistan, to be quite hypocritical.......

Re: # 80

Haideri, may be he invented your Tabla, but the modern day Tabla is only about 200 year old (Khusra was around in about 11th century). And no need to talk out of your ass until Iftaree you gandoo. Wait for the sunset.

Kulharee 79

FTR I don`t agree with Urdu as a national/state language policy.

However, only a few posts ago you were paying homage to ``Mother India``. And now you are hiding behind the flimsy argument of ``“local” only to about 6% of the then Pakistani population``...

Now... here is the problem... if indeed Pakistan and Bangladesh are the erring children of the great ``Mother India`` then Bengalis` preference for Arabic over Urdu is quite problematic... and it is justifiable given their hatred for people of Lucknow and UP... then what are we arguing about here?

-YLH

Fortunately, in matters of language, everyone gets a vote.

Re: # 84

Manto, the argument is that we should take pride in our Hindu roots. That’s all. Last night at the Asia Society I watched “Muslims or Heretics” an excellent documentary showing how Ahmadis are being persecuted in Bangladesh and how the country that was created as a result of “Bengali Nationalism” is now discovering that it wasn’t the Nationalism anymore, now it is about who is “Muslim” and who his heretic. You see where this desire to impress foreign culture can lead to? Someone down below said that you see more Abayas in Pakistan now, and it wont be too long before women are not allowed to drive, and cannot go out unless accompanied by a male relative. That’s what being argued.

And those who have nothing else going for them are the ones clinging on to the religion or for that matter their “Arabo-Persic” roots. Because that justifies their existence. At least to themselves.

Re: # 83

You need to take some history classes.

Zameen Junbad na Junbad Kulharee

haideri

hey kulharee man,

i know a bunch of pakistanis who are into worshiping their hindu origin. tu zara upna naam, or phoon number daal yahan pey taakay woh tum say raabta kerein...shahbash.

Re: # 87

And you need to get your head out of your ass. What history do you mean, the one taught in Mecca or Zinzabar? You piece of little Iranian (oops, I mean Persian) shyt, I know more about North Indian Classical Music than your Chacha Mehdi Hassan.

As I said ``Zameen Junbad na Junbad Kulharee``

;)

haideri

No arguments against countering intolerance... it is a must for any society... however this appeal to Hindu roots exclusively is rather interesting... one tends to see one`s identity as a mixture... this exclusive Hindu roots business is as dangerous as Arabisation I am afraid.

Ultimately tolerance does not differentiate... for example Romair is right... I`d like people to be more anglicised and if not that then Kemalised but that is me... however... as long as I am allowed to say Khuda Hafiz and Ramzan (ironically both persian)... I am afraid I am not going to kick up a fuss over other people saying Allah Hafiz or Ramadan.

Re: # 90

Mashallaha and Subhanalla and Junbad up your Ayatollah

Haidri, If I know you will get so pissed off that you will start talking in Tamil with me, I would have gone easy on you.

Kasb-e-Kamal-eGun ke Aziz-e-Jahan Shavi

Did you go to khana-a-Furhung for ``Kasb-e-Kamal-eGun ke Aziz-e-Jahan Shavi`` .

Translate this ``Sug bash kulahree na bash`` ;)

haideri

Re: # 93

That’s so funny. Haha.

Just so you know that I have boycotted both Farsi and Arbi and don’t plan to use it for sometime. I am sure you have boycotted your watermelon as well. Knock knock. Now if you have something really worthwhile to add to this discussion, please let’s hear it, otherwise go to hell. Thank you.

This is one example of a Punjabi story I read in middle school.....

Even if a crow staples or glues a peacock`s feather and tries to immitate the later`s walk, It remains a crow. And it is mauled by the peacock for the strange behavior. Pakis learn this lesson in Arabia real quick.

Punjabi Hindus and many sikhs are no better. They TRY to speak this dumb mumble jumble of English and Sanskrit.

This is also a definition of a Harami - an offspring illegitimite or forced relationship. in this case two languages or cultures.