Yale Hindi Debate: Duke Students Shine on the National Language Stage
Dr. Kusum Knapczyk (center) with Duke Hindi students (Shourya Agarwal pictured on right)
As I entered Yale University's Luce Hall, the scent of chai and samosas greeted me. People chatted in Hindi, with many saree-clad ladies and girls and men wearing kurta pajamas, creating the atmosphere of an Indian festival.
Grandparents, parents, and professors conversed with their nervous students, reassuring them about their upcoming performance. The competition became even more intense when they noticed several non-native students also speaking Hindi.
The debate commenced with three judges attentively listening to each speech, which lasted around 4 minutes and was followed by a question. Two students from Duke University also participated; both of them delivered an energetic speech, with one earning the second-best speaker award and best interjector award. It was a proud moment for Duke, winning two awards. It was evident from the speeches that each participant had worked diligently for many days. It was a proud moment for their educators and parents to witness their performances.
The act of participation is more important than any award. The fear of speaking on stage, especially in a language not spoken at home, can be daunting for students. However, such gatherings play a crucial role in fostering language communities. Students showcase their learning progress and speaking skills, which prepares them for real-life scenarios. These events also serve as networking opportunities for language students to learn about each other's courses and experiences.
On my way back to Duke, I pondered how more students from our institution might participate next year. For example, I considered organizing a debate at Duke to foster the language-speaking community. Such debates not only encourage language proficiency but also provide students with opportunities to network and contemplate real-life language usage scenarios.
The Duke winner Shourya Agarwal suggested that we begin preparations early next year. He proposed organizing an internal debate, with the winner advancing to the competition. Additionally, he recommended hosting poetry recitations in class to bolster students' confidence in speaking in front of others. With such ideas, I hope that next year will see even greater participation from Duke in the fields of languages and literature.
This debate was supported and funded by Asian and Middle Eastern Studies.