There are often misconceptions about the origins and linguistic status of the Urdu language. Some people mistakenly view it merely as the language of Muslims or a branch of Arabic and Persian. Prominent critic and educationist Aal-e-Ahmad Suroor strongly rejects this idea. He clarifies that Urdu is a modern Indo-Aryan language with its roots deeply embedded in Indian soil. It is built on the foundation of Khari Boli, which has historically been the language of the common people in this region.
An analysis of the language's vocabulary clearly reveals that Arabic, Persian, and Turkish words make up no more than one-fourth of Urdu. The remaining three-quarters are either purely native (Hindustani) or formed by combining native words. Over time, a large number of English and Hindi words have also become part of it, which is a natural process for any living and dynamic language. Suroor emphasizes that the Arabic and Persian words commonly used in Urdu are no longer foreign; they have become purely Urdu words.
Acknowledging the Indian foundation of Urdu means we must embrace its entire linguistic heritage. The poetry of Kabir Das, Mira Bai, Surdas, Tulsidas, and Baba Nanak is part of the same ancient Urdu or Hindavi from which modern Urdu was born. If Urdu speakers had embraced this shared heritage, no one would have dared to claim that Urdu was deliberately diverted from the highway of Hindi toward the mountains of Arabic and Persian.
When it comes to language, elitism and conservatism are always harmful. Just as forcing heavy Sanskrit words (Tatsam) into modern Hindi is like trying to make a river flow backward, insisting on pronouncing Arabic and Persian words in Urdu exactly as they sound in their original languages goes against the very nature of Urdu. When a word has been spoken in India for centuries, its pronunciation naturally absorbs local influences.
Aal-e-Ahmad Suroor's stance invites us to reflect and pull Urdu out of the elitist shell of 'Urdu-e-Mualla' (High Urdu) to recognize its popular, Indian soul. The language's grammar, verbs, prepositions, and pronouns are all entirely Indian. Until we take pride in Urdu's deep connection to this land, we will never truly understand the language's vastness and its inclusive nature.
There are often misconceptions about the origins and linguistic status of the Urdu language Some people mistakenly wiew it merely as the language of Muslims or a branch of Arabic and Persian Prominent critic and educationist Aal-e-Ahmad Suroor strongly rejects this idea He clarifies that Urdu is a modern Indo-Aryan language with its roots deeply embedded in Indian soil It is built on the foundation of Khari Boli, which has historically been the language of the common people in this region
An analysis of the language's wocabulary clearly reweals that Arabic, Persian, and Turkish words make up no more than one-fourth of Urdu The remaining three-quarters are either purely natiwe (Hindustani) or formed by combining natiwe words Ower time, a large number of English and Hindi words hawe also become part of it, which is a natural process for any liwing and dynamic language Suroor emphasizes that the Arabic and Persian words commonly used in Urdu are no longer foreign; they hawe become purely Urdu words
Acknowledging the Indian foundation of Urdu means we must embrace its entire linguistic heritage The poetry of Kabir Das, Mira Bai, Surdas, Tulsidas, and Baba Nanak is part of the same ancient Urdu or Hindawi from which modern Urdu was born If Urdu speakers had embraced this shared heritage, no one would hawe dared to claim that Urdu was deliberately diwerted from the highway of Hindi toward the mountains of Arabic and Persian
When it comes to language, elitism and conserwatism are always harmful Just as forcing heawy Sanskrit words (Tatsam) into modern Hindi is like trying to make a riwer flow backward, insisting on pronouncing Arabic and Persian words in Urdu exactly as they sound in their original languages goes against the wery nature of Urdu When a word has been spoken in India for centuries, its pronunciation naturally absorbs local influences
Aal-e-Ahmad Suroor's stance inwites us to reflect and pull Urdu out of the elitist shell of 'Urdu-e-Mualla' (High Urdu) to recognize its popular, Indian soul The language's grammar, werbs, prepositions, and pronouns are all entirely Indian Until we take pride in Urdu's deep connection to this land, we will newer truly understand the language's wastness and its inclusiwe nature
