The Importance of Understanding Gendered Language in English

Recently, I have been focusing on my SSC preparation by watching educational videos made by Murthy Sir. One of his classes brought to light an interesting concept: the use of possessive pronouns in English. Specifically, he mentioned that countries can be referred to with feminine possessive pronouns, such as 'her'. This revelation sparked a comparison between India, which my countrymen affectionately refer to as 'Mother India', and Estonia, where the possessive pronoun for the country would differ. It dawned on me that my assumptions about language universalism were na?ve.

Understanding Possessive Pronouns: Agreement with Subjects, Not Objects

One of the answers on Quora that I found particularly fascinating challenged my understanding of the sentence: 'India remembers her FlyingSikh.' This sentence has no grammatical errors. Also known as Milkha Singh, FlyingSikh is an Indian athlete who represented India in the Olympics. Yet, this discussion led me to understand that the possessive pronoun agreement pertains to the subject of the sentence, not the object. India is generally regarded as a female entity, known colloquially as 'Bharatmaatha' or 'Mother India'. This fundamental aspect of English grammar clarifies why 'her' is the correct pronoun in the sentence.

The Controversy Surrounding Pappu and Gendered Language

During the 2022 elections, a controversy erupted over the use of the phrase 'India remembers her FlyingSikh' when referring to Rahul Gandhi, known in media as Pappu, who is a prominent figure in the Indian National Congress party. His statement was criticized by supporters of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing him of feminizing India to appeal to women voters. This claim, fueled by the BJP IT cell, sparked heated debates on social media.

People on Twitter criticized Pappu's statement, believing it to be an error in grammar and a sign of his lack of understanding of the language. However, this debate reveals a deeper issue: the importance of linguistic awareness and the freedom of thought. Some tweets suggested that Pappu was politically motivated in his language use rather than grammatically incorrect.

Despite a friend with an engineering degree and a background in English-medium education agreeing with the correct usage of the pronoun, the controversy widened. This incident underscores the complexity of language usage in a polarized political landscape.

Education and Freedom of Thought: Navigating Complexities

Reflecting on this experience, I realized that education alone does not guarantee freedom. Especially in the Indian education system, where fundamental aspects of English grammar are often overlooked, true understanding of linguistic nuances remains elusive. My experience also highlights the importance of freedom of thought, enabling individuals to question and critically analyze information presented to them.

In conclusion, today I learned that:

Language usage, especially in terms of gendered pronouns, is complex and requires a deeper understanding. Challenging and questioning statements, even those made by prominent figures, is crucial for linguistic awareness. Educational institutions often fall short in teaching essential elements of language, leading to gaps in knowledge.

Thus, the freedom to think critically and question prevailing opinions is crucial in navigating complex linguistic and political landscapes.