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Ranjitha Ashok

A new lingo that is a combination of English and the vernacular is accepted in today's workplace

It is a typical day in a typical office in Urban India. Suddenly, through the muted buzz of conversation, a voice goes: "Yeppidi irrukkai?" (How are you?), a common greeting. What happens next? Does the atmosphere tighten briefly? Or does the moment pass, unnoticed?

Language acquires unique, distinctive shades in the urban Indian work place, which has a generous mix of the multi-cultural and multi-lingual. Indians are passionate about their mother tongue. Take away the cell-phone, the B-school degree or the power-dressing... but leave this possession alone. But a work place needs a binding language. The issues that arise are the choice, role and evolution of a common language, and how regional overtones are handled. Is achieving the right culture-sensitive balance a challenge? Can language become a dividing force in an office?

Supriya Banerji, Senior Director, CII, Southern Regional Headquarters, says that language does not have to be a divisive force in today's context. The common language of business almost everywhere is English. Regional languages appear to flow alongside quite smoothly.

While some organisations make it clear that they expect English to be spoken during office hours, for most others this is an unwritten understanding. Balaji V, HR chief at OrbiTech Solutions feels that employees need a certain level of instinctive sensitivity to existing linguistic differences. If the ethos of the company makes it clear that courtesy and respect for every linguistic group is expected, the staff responds accordingly.

There is a tendency for linguistic groups to gravitate towards one another and this usally occurs during lunch or coffee breaks, or during a relaxing, gossip session!R. Ramkumar, Chief Knowledge Officer, Cognizant Technology Solutions India, says some groups are slightly more `culture driven' than others. "You find a distinct adda culture that makes people break into their own tongue quite frequently, although they are fluent in both English and the local language, usually during the `slightly less business hours'."

People tend to lapse into regional languages during times of stress or in the heat of the moment while trying getting a point across at meetings. This is only natural. Equally, Padma Mahadevan, Vice President, OrbiTech Solutions cites simple shyness as a factor in preventing non-local staff from trying out the local regional language.

People admit language divisions were felt more keenly two to three decades ago. Lines were drawn across ethnicity, linguistic groups and even food habits, preventing blending or bonding. But not any more. Life in the work place has changed over the years. "I salute the young" says Supriya. While exposure, higher education and travel have helped light up dim corners, she feels the real change comes from a willingness to transform attitudes. Young urban Indians do not want to restrict themselves in any sense — mentally, spiritually, or geographically. "Why only language?" asks Ramkumar. "Don't we see this cross-cultural trend even in food habits and clothes?"Many organisations deliberately encourage a sense of national homogeneity, and believe that the more you `mix up' multilingual groups, the more robust and productive are the results. But, there are times when linguistic groupism does rear its head. While harmless during coffee breaks, this could lead to little frissons during work, especially when a multi-lingual group is working on a project. In a predominantly young organisation such as Ford India Ltd, there are no heavy cultural legacies to combat. This is a young work force, (mainly 24 to 28), and through education and training, sensitive to cross cultural issues. "We encourage diversity", says Vinay Piparsania, Vice-Presdient, adding that issues over language differences never come up at the workplace.

The exact blend of a regional language with English at work depends on the nature and content of the industry, levels of employment and salaries, and the customers involved. Manufacturing units, with their heavy dependence on local people, find the use of regional languages far easier in the work place. In the public sector, regional languages work better. In `global' industries that operate on both national and international levels, both English and the regional languages are required. In certain other sectors, English is used almost at a 100 per cent level, both spoken and written. Some companies even if their customers are largely from the local market deliberately choose to exude an international flavour, avoiding geographical identification.

The levels of technology, gadgetry and apparatus used in the work place also determine the language most commonly used. Ramkumar says that in this day of video and teleconferencing, one obviously needs a single common language that does not belong to any one particular region in the country, and is recognised globally to boot. "During adult literacy programmes in villages," says Supriya, "the students ask if English could also be taught. They see learning English as an asset."

English, the language of the Indian urban office, is changing, and evolving its own brand at the work place, often peculiar to organisations and liberally mixed with local terms. E-mail has changed English Language usage in office areas drastically. While the so-called `chutney-fication' of the English language is contained when dealing with a global market, e-mail appears to make its own rules. Piparsania uses the term `bullet-points' to describe the manner in which professional discussions are conducted. Language is concise, to the point and brisk. Does the use of a regional language bring a touch of informality to the work area? Definitely, is the consensus. While English might be the business tongue in specific industries in urban India, it is the regional language that brings people together in the context of group dynamics.

Chennai-based Sonika Jain, Director, Commercial Sales, Taj Group, says that a little local touch lightens the work atmosphere, creates informality and binds people. With non-local staffers willing to learn the basics in regional languages, she does not see language as an issue of conflict. Ethnic dialect, not mere jargon or slang, with phrases and references that demonstrate its essential soul; all these help to humanise the work area.

While most times regional languages are heard in the lunch room or non-business hours, it is possible for phrases or little jokes to creep in even during an official discussion. But explanations are always offered quickly in content and context. You do not `derail' into your own tongue when you know there are others around who cannot follow you. Diversity is shown respect, not alienation.

Using English is a convenience. Blending in one's own regional language either with English or with the local tongue is viewed as a refreshing process that breathes new life into the work place, enabling people to survive and grow.

Perhaps the most striking feature today is the growing realisation that one is ultimately one's own best asset. Age-old perceptions of fixed assets are slowly giving way to a generation that feels that investing in one's own growth and development mentally, spiritually, and education-wise is the best investment ever.

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