My friend CB Patel, editor of Asian Voice, asked last week in his splendid “As I See It” column why Scotland Yard, in its drive to recruit police who can speak a second language, has omitted an appeal for Gujarati speakers. A good question.
I had the pleasure of meeting hundreds of Gujarati folk during my interesting 12-year spell in the 1970s/80s writing a full page every fortnight entitled “Shop Talk” in ABPL Group’s former Asian Business magazine for independent retailers, and can offer the view that most Gujarati men and women would not need the help of police linguists because their knowledge of English ranges from adequate to excellent.
In fact Gujaratis are a shining example to other ethnic groups who seem reluctant to step out of their comfort zone and learn to speak and write English in the UK, the country they have chosen to make their home. This is sheer laziness on their part, nothing else.
Rudy Otter
By email
