While We Fight Over Kannada v/s Marathi Language, China Learns English—And Takes Our Jobs

I’ve watched it unfold countless times on my Instagram feed, a digital drama playing out with alarming regularity. It usually starts with a Kannada activist uploading a video, often filmed without consent, berating a shopkeeper for not knowing the local language. The comments section erupts almost immediately.

Within hours, the linguistic battle escalates. Tamil defenders respond fiercely, airing their own grievances about perceived linguistic imposition. Marathi supporters, not to be outdone, pile on, adding another layer to the already complex tapestry of regional identity politics. The video or reel explodes, garnering thousands of comments, trending hashtags, and fueling days, sometimes even weeks, of intense digital warfare across social media platforms.

While we are engrossed in these passionate, often divisive, skirmishes over linguistic supremacy and cultural purity, an entirely different narrative is unfolding globally. Consider this sobering reality: while we invest our energy and emotion into these internal squabbles, nations like China are strategically prioritizing global communication skills. They are not merely learning English; they are mastering it on a massive scale.

This isn’t just about language; it’s about economic foresight and global competitiveness. A workforce proficient in English gains access to international markets, global supply chains, and a vast ocean of professional opportunities that transcend geographical boundaries. They are positioning themselves to seamlessly integrate into the global economy, attract foreign investment, and, critically, secure jobs that require cross-border communication.

The stark truth is that while we are busy arguing about who speaks which language in a local shop, others are quietly equipping their populations with the tools to take on roles in IT, customer service, export, international business, and countless other sectors that demand a common global tongue. The jobs that could, and perhaps should, be filled by our talented youth are increasingly being outsourced or taken up by individuals from countries that have made learning English a national priority.

It’s a stark wake-up call. Are we prioritizing short-term cultural battles over long-term economic prosperity? Are we allowing ourselves to be distracted by internal divisions while vital opportunities slip through our fingers? Perhaps it’s time to pause, reflect, and ask ourselves if our current focus is truly serving the best interests of our future generations.

Source: Original Article