English in Everyday Life: The Sociolinguistic Role of a Daily Language in India

Abstract

The English language, once introduced as a colonial tool of administration and education, has evolved into an essential medium of daily interaction in India. Its reach extends across classrooms, workplaces, households, social media platforms, and popular culture, making it more than just an elite or academic language. English functions today as both a practical necessity and a symbolic resource, shaping social identities, aspirations, and hierarchies. This paper examines the sociolinguistic role of English as a daily language in India, drawing upon historical legacies, contemporary practices, and cultural transformations. Using secondary literature, media examples, and sociolinguistic theory, it highlights how English operates as a bridge among diverse linguistic groups, while also reproducing inequalities of class, caste, and access. The article argues that English has been “Indianised” into a hybrid form that is deeply entrenched in everyday life, reflecting both India’s pluralistic ethos and its socio-economic divides.