Hi,
In Pakistan is it seen as surprising or even embarrassing that British Asian some of them don’t read, write or speak Urdu? The majority of Brit Asians 1st language is English and when you mention to elders or anyone who knows Urdu it seems like an insult? I know in Pakistan English is taught everywhere as a 1st language, but not in the UK that maybe the reason for few people speaking, reading and writing Urdu.
Thx.
Re: British Asian Languages
british asians
Re: British Asian Languages
Thread moved here from cafe :)
Re: British Asian Languages
you learn whatever you have been taught.
Urdu has nothing to do with most Brit Pakis because they are Punjabi or Pashtun.
Most British Pakistanis that I know speak the language of their forefathers perfectly fluently whether that be Punjabi (Mirpuri and Hindko dialects) or Pashto.
I can speak Urdu but I do not consider it a part of my identity, my daada (paternal grandfather) spoke Pashto and my naana (maternal grandfather) spoke Punjabi.
I'm a proud Pakistani but Urdu was never a part of my identity and never will be. It's a beautiful language but it's only one of the Pakistani languages not the only Pakistani language.
Speaking or not speaking Urdu does not make anyone more or less Pakistani because Urdu is only the language of 10% of Pakistanis, it was enforced upon the rest of us (cultural imperialism), we can speak Pashto or Punjabi and still be 100% Pakistani.
As for English being our first language then it is and it should be, we live in Britain now and probably always will so when in Rome do as the Romans do.
^^^ I agree most of them speak pashto or punjabi
amongst my friends and ppl of my age I am one of the few who can speak urdu fluently, they all undersatnd urdu but when they cant speak very well at all
Re: British Asian Languages
Well, in london if people (specially teenagers) hear you speaking urud/punjabi then you get labelled as a 'freshie'.
That's why most of these Brit Kids don't bother learning Urdu/Punjabi/Pashtu, they are better off with English.:D
Re: British Asian Languages
^ meaning you would know how to speak urdu only if you've just landed? is it a matter of ego/superiority?
Re: British Asian Languages
I can speak, read and write Urdu fluently 
However, I mostly speak in English and Punjabi (- my mothertongue) on a daily basis.
Urdu is lovely though! 