Question

Describe the characteristics of National Language.

Answer 1

Step 1: Define national language:
A national language is a language recognised as representing and uniting the entire nation -- serving as a common medium for communication, administration, education and cultural expression across regions and communities.

Step 2: Characteristic 1: wide acceptability:
It should be spoken or understood by a large majority of the population, or capable of being learned and adopted widely without being seen as favouring one community over others.

Step 3: Characteristic 2: capacity for expression:
It must be developed enough (in vocabulary and literature) to express administrative, scientific, legal and literary ideas effectively.

Step 4: Characteristic 3: symbol of unity:
A national language functions as a symbol of national identity and integration, helping bind diverse linguistic and cultural groups into one political community.

Step 5: Indian context:
In India, Hindi (in Devanagari script) is recognised under Article 343 of the Constitution as the official language of the Union, alongside English, while the Eighth Schedule recognises many other regional languages, reflecting India's linguistic plurality rather than a single imposed 'national' language.

Final Answer:
\[ \boxed{\text{A national language must be widely understood, richly developed and act as a unifying symbol; in India, Hindi holds this constitutional role as the Union's official language}} \]