On the other hand, why is he even trying in English? Why not speak in Hindi or Gujarati? The French speak French. The Russians speak Russian. The Italians speak Italian. Why does he try to speak in English? Let them hire translators.
It is frustrating to watch. This obsession with English has been drilled into us for generations. In school, at work, in daily life, we are told to be proud of our language. At the same time, we are judged by how well we can mimic another. If you speak English fluently, you are respected. If you stumble, you are dismissed. Even when someone reaches the highest office, they are still stuck in this game.
Why does he feel the need to prove anything in English? If he truly believes in national pride, why not stand firm in his own language? Why make half-hearted attempts at English when the world respects those who do not bend?
It is exhausting. It is a reminder that no matter how much power we gain, we are still trying to fit into a world that set its rules without us. It should not be this way.
Special mention to one of those mocking him. A BBC-affiliated commentator, eager to ridicule, comes from a country where their own national cricket captain struggles to spell in English. Where is their outrage then? Why is it amusing when one stumbles, but excusable when another does?
Is this about power again? Is this about who is allowed to fumble, who is allowed to be imperfect, and who must constantly prove themselves?
The Prime Minister does not need to prove himself in English. Neither does anyone else. If a French leader speaks in French without apology, if a Russian leader asserts himself in Russian, why should we be expected to do otherwise?
Let them mock. Let them sneer. Their hypocrisy is their own undoing.
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