Reading Time: 3 minutes
Languages evolve and transform with time and usage (read misuse and abuse too). Ruchira tells us about the advent of Hinglish, a new kind of lingo, where English has a smattering of Hindi, in the weekly column, exclusively in Different Truths.
“Yaar, I have pataod the chick; maaroed money from my dad to treat her in a hi-fi joint. Her family is a hi-funda one.” Foxed, aren’t you? Well, this is merely an example of what is now globally recognised as Indian English (a.k.a Hinglish).
Hinglish is an offspring of the impeccable Queen’s English and the nation’s lingua franca (i.e Hindi) with a smattering of words from other dialects. Hinglish is a post-independence phenomenon. After the British left India for good, the Colonial hangover could not be wiped off easily; the official language was still English. The erudite, elite members of society realised that the English language was a sine quoi non for administration, conducting businesses besides keeping abreast of global changes and breakthroughs. However, ethnic culture, ideas and ethos were not negligible either. Hence the upper crust agreed to a compromise of sorts – opening the doors of English to indigenous influences.
During the 80s, an anti-English wave swept the country, especially in the “Cow Belt” areas. The videshi bhasha – symbol of an alien culture – began to be frowned upon. Instead of primary classes, English began to be taught middle school onwards. Incidentally, the Desis adopted the Roman alphabet in their day to day lives. Now, Hindi is commonly written in Roman, which even semi literates read comfortably.
Like it or not Hinglish is here and to stay – for in this jet age lifestyle who has the time for intelligent, flowery dialogues?
©Ruchira Adhikari Ghosh
Photos from the Internet
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