INDIA Vs ENGLISH

Whereas two centuries British rule in India has left the legacy of English language, Indians on their own, enriched the language with innovative usages. ‘Prepone” is a typical Indianism which means to advance or bring (an event) to an earlier date. ‘Your good name please” is not a usage in standard English but a translation of ‘Aap ka shubh naam”. Similarly Airlifted, pin-drop-silence, ‘I am loving it” (of Macdonald fame) are but few examples.

Even in the past, English language itself had drawn from Indian situations. The word ‘juggernaut” (large and powerful destructive force) had its origin in ‘(Puri) Jagannath. Because in the days of yore, worshippers used to jump under the chariot of Lord Jagannath while the chariot itself moved on unhindered. The words like ‘mulligatawny” (Tamil — milagu tannir = pepper water), mantra, avatar, pundit etc. stood the test of time in the English language.

The greatness of English language is that it draws uninhibitedly from global sources. Recently, after a woman called ‘Bobbit”, chopped off her husband’s genitalia, the word ‘bobbitised” came into use for similar situations. And one who loses his job to outsourcing is said to be ‘Bangalored”.

Describing the situation involving foul play, a friend of mine put it like this: ‘I think there is certainly some bofors in it..!!!!