পাতা:সাহিত্য পরিষৎ পত্রিকা (দ্বিতীয় ভাগ).pdf/২৪১

( 4. ) ment of the vernacular languages of the country, which, to say the least of them, are yet in their infant state, and are not expected to thrive unless under University patronage and recognition. The deficiency which most of our educated youths show in their own vernacular is indeed lamentable, and you will have rendered a signal service to the cause of the vernacular languages of the country when you have succeeded in your laudable attempt. 2. But while heartily wishing for the improvement of the vernacular languages, I must express myself against the proposal to make them the medium of instruction up to the Entrance Examination, either in Mathematics, Geography, or History. Mathematics can advantageously be taught in English only ; the terms and expressions, so very peculiar to this science, cannot properly be expressed through the medium of any vernacular language of this country, and in consideration of the greatest importance attached to this subject; owing to its being the chief means of a rapid development of the mental faculties of our youtns, and English being the only convenient medium to Indian students for reading the works of the greatest Mathematicians and Scientists in general of the British Isles and the Continent, I am decidedly of opinion that any change in the existing method would result in more harm than good. 3. As for Geography the instruction of it through the vernacular languages will be equally objectionable; the Geographical terms and the names of places if rendered into and spoken in the vernacular languages, will greatly deviate from their original signification and correct pronunciation, so as to make them unintelligible to the English, and other foreign nations with whom we are daily being brought into closer contact by the steady spread of civilization, and rapid development of trade and commerce of our country. Those boys who read in our High, English Schools after passing the Middle English or Middle Vernacular Examination, have to unlearn much of what they are taught of Geography in the vernacular, so as to arrive at the correct import of the Geographical terms and expressions, as well as the correct pronunciation of the names of places. Besides, the instruction of this subject in the vernacular languages is not likely to improve those languages in any way, or be of any use to any Indian traveller to a remote country, and, as Geography is taught only up to the Entrance Examination and not in higher classes, it is in my opinion undesirable that our youths should gain an imperfect, nay, mistaken knowledge of it, by having to learn it through the vernacular languages. 4. The learning of History in English has always been looked upon as a great aid to the study of the English language. In fact, our boys have less on history, than on English text-books, for acquiring a