Noor-us-Sabah
During a recent episode of Express TV’s Piyara Ramadan, host Javeria Saud firmly addressed a caller who questioned former Pakistan cricket captain Sarfaraz Ahmed’s English-speaking skills.
The caller, from Karachi, asked Ahmed why he appeared nervous while speaking English in interviews. “I’ve noticed that you seem uncomfortable speaking English in many of your interviews,” the caller remarked.
Ahmed, however, took the comment lightly and responded with a smile. He explained, “Everyone feels nervous in front of the camera and sometimes forgets their words. As cricketers, we are used to speaking in our native language, so expressing ourselves in another language can be challenging.”
Without hesitation, Javeria Saud jumped in to defend Ahmed, highlighting the unnecessary focus on English fluency. “Since we are Pakistanis, and even I get nervous sometimes, our national and mother tongue is Urdu. Before worrying about English, we should first learn to speak Urdu properly, as we often make mistakes in our own language.”
She further elaborated on how English is often wrongly considered a status symbol. “Speaking English is not a matter of pride. In countries like Spain, France, Italy, China, Japan, and Turkey, people prefer to communicate in their native languages and even get annoyed when someone insists on speaking English.”
Javeria emphasized the importance of embracing one’s cultural identity. “The real problem is that we try to imitate others and forget our own language and values,” she stated. She then dismissed the question as irrelevant, urging people to support their national heroes instead. “Rather than focusing on such trivial matters, we should uplift and encourage our sportsmen.”
Her bold response resonated with many viewers, sparking a debate on social media about language, identity, and national pride. What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments!
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