Nowadays, incidents of autorickshaw drivers in Bengaluru getting into fights with passengers for not knowing how to speak in Kannada have been grabbing headlines. Recently, a picture of an autorickshaw with a disrespectful sticker attacking ‘outsiders’ in Bengaluru went viral, which raised concerns regarding language barriers and how one can solve this issue.
Commenting upon the same, a woman named Dravisha took to Twitter to suggest that instead of complaining that passengers don’t know how to speak in Kannada, autorickshaw drivers should consider putting up small posters or placards inside the vehicle to help passengers learn basic phrases.
“Idea for Bangalore autos: Instead of expecting folks to speak Kannada and have rude posters, here’s something that might work better:
— Have small posters/placards inside the autos that can help us learn basic phrases (Ex: How much is the fare? Can you take a left? etc.)
— Have polite and warm phrases asking folks to speak to the drivers in Kannada
— Add numbers on how Kannada is dying to showcase the passion to protect it,” she tweeted.
Have a look at her tweet here:
Idea for Bangalore autos: Instead of expecting folks to speak Kannada and have rude posters, here’s something that might work better:
— Have small posters/placards inside the autos that can help us learn basic phrases (Ex: How much is the fare? Can you take a left? etc.)
— Have…
— Dravisha (@dravishakatoch) August 13, 2023
However, her suggestion left a lot of people on Twitter divided. On the one hand, several people pointed out that it is not the autorickshaw driver’s responsibility to teach their passengers the local language. Passengers can easily learn basic phrases online. After all, that’s what people do when travelling abroad.
Here’s a radical idea. You could maybe, just maybe use this new technology called Google translate instead of putting the responsibility of teaching you the language on the auto drivers. It’s relatively easy to use, there’s an app & I hear it’s all the rage for travellers.
— Potato based | @[email protected] (@pepsiwithastraw) August 13, 2023
Good idea but outsiders should also show some humility by learning a phrase or two every week. It’s not that hard. Many cases where they refuse to do so and insist on being spoken to in their own language. I can see why people can get riled up.
— Abhirama (@AbhiRaama22) August 13, 2023
I dont support them being rude bt there is google and YouTube to learn basic sentences as a tourist. I do learn a few sentences in Hindi if i travel to the north. Y shud auto drivers take the pain ? I dont get it. Do u expect the same while traveling to foreign countries?
— Layover_BuffedUpBangtan⁷ (@varsri7) August 13, 2023
When we travel to a foreign country, we try to learn basic words in order to survive and not expect them to change their behavior. This situation is no different.
— Vibin Babuurajan 👋 (@vibinbaburajan) August 13, 2023
The onus should always and always be on the person expecting service to learn the local language. Youtube and Google Translate exists. Please understand that the auto driver is out there to make a living and enabling customers to learn Kannada is the last thing on their mind.
— Sameer Mohan (@sleepyhead148) August 13, 2023
Idea for people coming to Bengaluru: Instead of ‘rudely’ expecting auto drivers to teach you the language, do the bare minimum of learning basic phrases in Kannada using the internet before/while getting into the auto.
— Rishi Srinivasan (@RishiSrinivas14) August 13, 2023
Learning the basics of a language is a way of showing our respect towards them and their culture
— sathiyan (@zeroedthoughts) August 13, 2023
This is coming from a place of entitlement. Like ppl are supposed to do something “for you” instead of you making that effort yourself. You’re the one who’s gone to a city with a different language, onus is on you, not the local. Would u go to a diff’ country and demand the same?
— Faizal Khan (@faiz_4k) August 13, 2023
On the other hand, many thought that this was a practical solution and a win-win situation for both parties. Here’s what they said:
Practical advise.
Every state/country same thing should be practiced.
Then both parties will be receiving and giving ends.
Great way to start developing multilingual skills.
Maybe after some decades language issues are resolved.
— Man Mohan Mundhraa (@mmmundhra) August 13, 2023
It takes very minimal effect to introduce some common respectful phrases inside of the app, when they know what language is the driver known of! It can be in the regional language plus it’s English equivalent in the regional language with it’s meaning
— Vignesh (@dont_vicky_me) August 13, 2023
Love the idea!
— Mohit Mamoria (@mohitmamoria) August 13, 2023
Kannada learning posters in autos + polite requests = a win-win for everyone!
— efileta𝕏 (@efile_tax) August 13, 2023
What are your views on this topic?