Category: Indian English

How Indian is your English? part 2

This is my second article on Indian English. The first one, https://amalfabian.com/2020/09/12/how-indian-is-your-english/, introduces the topic. Here, we’ll look at some more examples.

Imagine this. This is your first trip outside India. You’re in London, at a restaurant. You glance at the menu and then ask your colleague a serious question. “Are you veg?” She may not understand what you have just said. She may even think that you are asking her if she is made of veg. (Do you understand?) The expression is Indian English. The international English version is: “Are you a vegeterian?”

In India, the opposite of veg. is well, non-veg. If there is a carnivore inside you, and you happen to be abroad, I advise you not to say: “I am non-veg.” Instead, say, “I eat meat.”

Let’s leave the topic of food. Now, this is super-duper important. What you’re going to read is said often at the workplace. Tell me whether this sentence is okay or not. “According to me,we should sponsor the women’s cricket team.”

Is that sentence alright, in terms of vocabulary? And the answer is no. When we use the phrase according to… it normally refers to a third person or a thing. For example: According to the consultant, we should strengthen our retail network. Or: According to the UN report, this country has a lot of potential.

Now, if you want to talk about your opinions, then say: In my opinion… So, if you are at a meeting, you could say: In my opinion, we should sponsor the women’s cricket team.

If you want to be more informal, then: I think... or I believe… are good phrases to use when introducing one’s opinion.

So, the next time at work or on zoom, when you want to express yourself during a meeting or an important discussion, monitor your language. In your mind, if you are making a sentence starting with “According to me…” Stop. Change tracks. And confidently say: Excuse me, I’d like to say something. In my opinion…

To find out more about Indian English, do check out my book on https://wordpress.com/post/amalfabian.com/1420

A new book on common errors in Business English

COMMON INDIAN Errors_ COVER 1 (2)

I have been a corporate trainer for many years now. While training, I have noticed that many adult learners are usually not motivated enough to spend the time and energy to strengthen their language fundamentals, especially when it comes to grammar and vocabulary.

Alas! Many of us are searching for immediate solutions. We want to know the errors we are making and what should be said instead. We are not interested in mulling over the meanings and nuances of words and phrases. Nor are we keen to learn the finer aspects of a grammar point. The demand is for the language learning equivalent of instant noodles. Instant answers. Tell me what I need to know, and nothing more!

Keeping this state of mind in mind, I have come out with a book which is a compilation of common errors made by Indian speakers in the business context. Many of these errors are errors that I encounter time and time again. And they are present (and alive and well) in a wide range of business settings; I have delivered training sessions at a variety companies  — from manufacturing companies to hotels to IT firms.

The book is an illustrated guide to common errors. It covers these topics:

  1. Prepositions
  2. Articles
  3. Uncountable Nouns
  4. Comparatives
  5. Vocabulary
  6. Indian English vs. International English

This is how the book works: there are two or three options on a page. You’ll have to select the correct one. You then turn the page, and there is the correct answer, waiting patiently for you. It’s as simple as that!

Here are some sample pages:

Page 9page 10page 25page 26

 

If you find this way of learning English interesting, do check out the book at:

 

Zorba Books:-  https://www.zorbabooks.com/store/general-fiction/reference/improve-your-english/