Speech is basic to language, written word came into existence as a graphic manipulation representing the spoken word. It is for this reason that even when we write or read, we continue to speak the written word in our mind. Dr. B. Ballard states, “We are ever liable to forget that language is first and foremost a spoken thing, not a written thing. Its appeal is to the ear, not to the eye.” He has further stated that “the bulk of mankind are as illiterate as our multitudinous ancestors and the literate themselves speak far more abundantly than they write.” This statement in no way divests the written word of its significance. Due to this, Dr. Ballard, in his book Teaching and Testing English, recommends, “Speech training should have precedence over learning to read, in point of time as well as in point of importance.” F.G. French too is of the same opinion when he writes, “Speech is the groundwork; all the rest are built up from it. Through speech, the pupil learns to make the direct connection between the English word or phrase and the object, action or idea it bears. He learns the habit of using words in the correct sentence-patterns and phrase-patterns and he can learn this in no other way.” This paper discusses about role and position of English language in India.
Keywords: English, British English, American English, Regional, Language(s), India.
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