Question

Write a note on the Indian English.

Hint:

When writing a note on a language variety, cover three main points: its unique features (vocabulary, pronunciation), its social function (e.g., link language), and its status (is it recognized, does it have a literature?).

Answer 1

Indian English is a distinct and recognized variety of the English language spoken primarily in the Indian subcontinent. It has its own unique phonology, vocabulary, and syntax, which have been influenced by the diverse linguistic landscape of India. A key feature is its vocabulary, which includes many words borrowed from Indian languages (e.g., 'jungle', 'pundit', 'lathi-charge') and the creation of unique compounds (e.g., 'cousin-brother', 'prepone'). The sentence structure can also differ from Standard British or American English. Indian English serves as a crucial link language in a multilingual country, used widely in government, higher education, business, and media. Over the years, it has evolved from a colonial import to a vibrant and legitimate dialect with its own rich literary tradition, celebrated in the works of authors like R. K. Narayan and Salman Rushdie.