What function of English is exemplified by the use of English in India as a "link language" along with a first language by stable bilinguals in well-defined social contexts?

Correct option is A

Explanation:

The complementary function of English refers to its use alongside a first language to serve specific purposes in a multilingual society. In India, English operates as a "link language" for communication between speakers of different mother tongues, complementing their native languages rather than replacing them.

• For example, speakers may use their first language for personal or regional communication but switch to English for inter-regional, professional, or academic contexts.
• The complementary relationship ensures that English fills gaps where communication across linguistic boundaries is required, without disrupting the dominance of native languages in informal and cultural settings.

Information Booster:

1. English in India functionscomplementarilyto native languages, maintaining its role as a "link language" without replacing local linguistic practices.
2. Its role reflects the socio-linguistic duality of bilingualism, where English serves specific purposes in education, governance, and inter-regional communication.
3. Complementary usage avoids cultural displacement of native languages while leveraging English for broader connectivity.

Additional Knowledge:

1. Supplementary: While English adds value to communication, "supplementary" does not emphasize the specific interplay between English and native languages in a functional sense.
2. Auxiliary: Although English serves as an auxiliary tool, "complementary" better captures its coexistence with native languages in different domains.
3. Equative: This term suggests equal importance between two languages, but English is not equal to native languages in personal or cultural contexts in India.