Tuning In: Radio Jockeys Deliberate Language Evolution On Air

The evolution of language on air has become a focal point of discussion among radio jockeys. Addressing the changing landscape, RJs share insights into the use of language, emphasising the need to balance societal shifts with broadcast responsibilities. The debate spans from the regional richness of languages to the impact of social media on cultural diversity. As technology blurs cultural lines, the discussion highlights the role of language in engaging and connecting with diverse audiences in today's radio landscape.

RJ Yuvi, Radio City, Delhi emphasised, “If you guys have followed the story of Siddhu Moosewala, he’s been accused of using crass language multiple times, even now after his death. He only had one answer to this, he said he only sang about what he saw around him. It’s in the language, I also say some stuff on air that I’m not supposed to but that’s what’s going on in the world outside of the studio.”

He mentioned that he believes that in today’s time, there should be no filters regardless of the medium of communication.

RJ Rex, My FM, Jodhpur highlighted, “I started my journey from All India Radio as an announcer, where there were a lot of restrictions in terms of what can be said and to only employ pure Hindi. When I got into a private radio station, there were no restrictions. My program director had me come up with an impression of Sunny Deol, but he’s speaking in Rajasthani. When we played this on the radio, I was overwhelmed by the response it was getting from audiences. That’s when I understood that regional languages are going to become increasingly more important for people.”

He noted that technology is spearheading the adoption of diversity in languages especially with social media blurring the lines between different cultures.

Preeti, AIR asserted, “There are certain words we cannot use on air. We have a responsibility as a broadcaster, people tune in to Akashwani to get authentic pronunciations, factual news on AIR news and more. Our listeners expect us to maintain this role and standard as even if our RJs deviate from this a little bit, we start getting letters of complaints from our listeners.”

RJ Krutarth Jani, Radio Mirchi, Ahmedabad talked about an interview with a Gujarati celebrity who said something very offensive on air. He explained, “South Gujarat, specifically Surat, is like the Punjab of Gujarat, the daily language there is full of crass words.”

Jani noted that the change in the tonality of language has translated in some capacity to radio as well.

RJ Arvind, Fever FM, Kolkata mentioned, “When I joined Fever FM, I had to start talking in Bangla. I’m comfortable with Bangla, but when a North Bengali talks on air in Bangla, you get caught up in some words. How I overcame this was that for a year, I held a segment on my show daily, where I asked the city of Kolkata to teach me one proper Bangla word every morning.”

He declared that whatever RJs do, however much the language changes, one cannot exist outside what society is accepting. As long as it is dealt with modesty, there are people out there who can relate to it.

RJ Rafiq, RED FM, Kashmir said, “Even with how the songs have evolved, like ‘Abhi Toh Party Shuru Hui Hai’, it doesn’t gel with the style of talking used on All India Radio, that also has to evolve with time. To stay relevant and connected to your audience, if every platform is talking about the phrase, ‘delulu is the only selulu’, I think it should be talked about as it is in the public conscience right now. We all know our audience and why wouldn’t we cater to them.”

He added that one can try to stay relevant in the studios, it might work, it might not, but when it comes to on-ground engagements with your audience, if one is not relevant on-ground, they are simply rejected.