IANS
 
Toronto, Jun 1: The desire to speak to grandparents and relatives in India who cannot speak English has prompted many second generation Indian Canadian children to learn Indian languages.

An increasing desire to learn Hindi among Indo-Canadian children has prompted a Hindu temple in Hamilton to start a language and culture course.

"It's a language, culture and history lesson," said Santosh Sharma, the Hindi language instructor at the temple.

Hindi, Punjabi and Bengali classes are also being offered at local schools in Hamilton, which has approximately 24,000 South Asians, the Hamilton Spectator reported.

"The first generation is busy adjusting to a new place, the second generation gets interested in identity," explained Darnell, professor of anthropology at the University of Western Ontario.

For many, it is the only way to interact with grandparents and relatives in India who do not speak English.

"Grandparents help kids stay in touch with their roots," said Nisha Taneja, whose two daughters have been learning Hindi for two years.

"Since they've started learning Hindi, my daughters have fallen head over heels in love with Bollywood movies," Nisha said.

Giving an economic twist to the social trend, Darnell said: "Language classes also mean more opportunities. Being bilingual is marvellous. There are definitely more opportunities."