Kolkata, West Bengal
For several days now, the neighbourhood people have been hearing that a quarrel is going on between Shampa di and Gabu da. The neighbourhood is surprised. Not surprised because this is the first time there has been a quarrel between the two. Quarrelling is their everyday affair. They are always at it for various reasons. Nothing new.
The surprise is because the language of their quarrels has changed. Earlier, it was a strange mix of Bengali and Bhojpuri in their quarrels. Gabu da was Bhojpuri and Shampa di was Bengali. In the same Bengali language, Shampa di’s sharp tongue made it difficult for Gabu da to gain any advantage. It was like accompanying a drum with a brass instrument. He would mumble something indistinctly. Yet, with effort, the neighbourhood would listen and understand. What could be more interesting than hearing the quarrels of other houses, pressed up against the walls of your own house? Especially for the women, it was a great source of entertainment!
About three years ago, this couple moved into the neighbourhood. Since their arrival, the neighbourhood people have become accustomed to hearing their quarrels. Both of them work. There is bound to be a quarrel before leaving for work and another one after returning home. On holidays, it’s an open field—Messi vs. Mbappe. Two goals each. The final laugh will be on Shampa Masi; the daughter of the house next door, a college student nicknamed Ghunti, knows this very well. Can anyone stop Messi, or rather, Masi? Shampa di is called only Masi by everyone.
Most of the people in the neighbourhood are lower-middle-class. No one has a fully constructed house. The houses are a mix of semi-finished and finished. Most of the two-storied buildings are half-completed. The rooms are built, but the plaster is yet to be done. The new generation is getting educated, but their parents are not very educated.
Shampa di and Gabu da are a childless couple. Both work, and this might be a source of hidden envy among some of the neighbourhood people. In reality, we don’t know or understand what causes anyone’s sorrow, but we never miss a chance to make fun of someone.
But now the problem is the sudden change in the language of their quarrels. Previously, they quarrelled in broken Bengali, but now it’s happening entirely in English. Those who used to listen with rapt attention now find it all going over their heads. No one understands anything. It’s bound to cause a stomach ache. And everyone has the same question: why has the language suddenly changed from Bengali to English?
The task of uncovering the mystery of the language change was given to the neighbourhood club secretary, Gojmadhab Babu, also known as Gojhu Babu. Because only Gojhu Babu has interactions with everyone in the neighbourhood. Everyone turns to Gojhu Babu for any need. He is a helpful person and stands by everyone in times of trouble.
Taking the opportunity of a visit, one holiday, Gojhu babu went to the couple’s house. Gabu da and Shampa di welcomed Gojhu babu with tea, snacks, and a warm reception. After various conversations, Gojhu babu learned that Gabu da and Shampa di had enrolled in a spoken English course. They attend the class together after office hours and return home. According to the rules of the spoken English school, they must speak in English at all times within the school and during classes. Regardless of mistakes, they must speak in English. The teachers there will correct the mistakes. How else would they catch and correct the mistakes if they don’t speak? So, they have decided to speak in English at all times from now on, even at home. Gojhu babu smiled to himself. At least his job was done. He left with a smiling face.
Hearing this, the neighbourhood people said, “It’s fine. Their way of speaking is just their quarrel. There’s nothing we can do. Well, even if it’s a quarrel, there is some progress. From Bengali to English!”