Starting today and continuing into perpetuity, from time to time I will present different primary school primers from various times and numerous places. These artifacts are the formation of a collection that will evolve as the materials accumulate. But the rationale for their assembly is to see how, over time, language is taught to young and old. What are the essential principles and how effectively – and with what cultural, social and political baggage – are these books and booklets conceived and produced.
The first set are from India and, curiously, at times tend to ignore innate cultural distinctions in favor of Western ideas. (If any of you want to contribute to this Primer on Primers, please feel free.)
