Indian English


Background

Indian English is the general term used for English spoken in the Indian sub-continent. This area has 1,000 million inhabitants and 1,000 languages. Ever since British domination in the area, English has often served as a lingua franca, a role it still plays today.


Pronunciation

The pronuciation of Indian English is Greatly influenced by sounds of local languages. The 'th' sound is often replaced by 't' or 'd'; vowel sounds are close to R.P. in speakers with less of a 'foreign' accent. Equal stress is often given to all syllables instead of main syllables in words and phrases.


Grammar

The grammar of Indian languages has crept into Indian English:

  • 'there is' often becomes the object, eg. Paper is there.
    •
  • uncountable nouns are often used as countables, eg. breads, toasts;
  • the present perfect is often avoided; eg. I am here since 3 o'clock.
  • past perfect replaces past simple eg. Where had you gone at 2 pm?
  • question tags are invariable: eg.You are going, isn't it?
  • certain prepositions vary (see list)

    • PREPOSITION DIFFERENCES IN INDIAN ENGLISH
    (in brackets the standard form; - = no preposition)

    to accompany with (-)

    to be involved to (in)

    to dispense - (with)

    to fear of (-)

    to get down (out of/off)

    to pay attention on (to)

    to return back (-)


    Vocabulary

    The vocabulary of Indian English differs from standard (British or American) English in two ways. Various words of Indian origin are used, and some local "inventions" are also to be found. Some examples are given in the following lists.

    INDIAN ENGLISH VOCABULARY DERIVING FROM LOCAL LANGUAGES

    bangle* - ring bracelet for wrist/foot

    bungalow* - one-storey house

    curry* - spicy food

    dinghy* - small (rubber) boat

    dungarees* - overalls, trousers

    goonda - hooligan, villain

    gymkhana* - sports display

    lakh - one hundred thousand

    maidan - parade ground

    pariah - member of low caste, social outcast

    purdah - curtain, often used in India to screen off women

    pyjamas* - night wear

    rajah - Indian king of prince

    sahib - sir, master

    tiffin - light meal, lunch

    veranda(h)* - balcony

    * = also used internationally in standard English


    ENGLISH-BASED WORDS USED IN INDIAN ENGLISH
    age-barred - barred by age
    biodata - curriculum vitae
    co-brother - wife's sitster's husband
    co-daughter-in-law - brother's wife
    cooling glasses - sunglasses
    cousin-sister - female cousin
    duck's egg - zero
    felicitate - congratulate
    half-pant - shorts
    Himalayan blunder - massive, serious mistake
    hotel - restaurant
    key-bunch - bunch of keys
    meeting notice - notice for a meeting
    nose-screw - nose ornament
    out of station - away from work
    pindrop silence - quiet enough to hear a pin drop
    preponement - holding earlier
    teacup - cup of tea
    undertrial - prisoner awaiting trial

    © Nigel J. Ross, 2003


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