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  • V Vikram A Punathambekar

    Nothing against native English speakers, but this has always struck me as strange - when there is a phrase or word used by native English speakers of a particular region/country, it somehow seems to gain acceptance. However, the idiosyncrasies of English as spoken by Indians are termed incorrect, despite the fact that India has the most English speakers in the world! Personally, while I cringe at "Why you went there?" or "Who and all are in the car?", I love the unique flavor. :love: While I would never write stuff like "You are going to Hyderabad tomorrow, no*?", I use it all the time when speaking to fellow Indians (never to native speakers, though). Most likely because I'd stick out as a sore thumb otherwise, I suppose. :^) Until last year or so, I used to say "I have a doubt". Although I think my English is very good, it never *struck me* that the above sentence was incorrect. I now say "I have a question". I also used to say 'yesterday night' until Roger told me the correct term was 'last night'. Yesterday morning, yesterday afternoon, yesterday evening, but last night. Sounds a bit strange, but hey, I've learned** to live with it. So, what do you guys think of the Indian dialects of English? :-D * In this context, 'no' means 'aren't you'? ** While many may say 'learnt' is the correct past tense of 'learn', I prefer learned.

    Cheers, Vikram.


    "But nowadays, it means nothing. Features are never frozen, development keeps happening, bugs never get fixed, and documentation is something you might find on wikipedia." - Marc Clifton on betas.

    Join the CP group at NationStates. Password: byalmightybob

    M Offline
    M Offline
    Marc Clifton
    wrote on last edited by
    #3

    Vikram A Punathambekar wrote:

    what do you guys think of the Indian dialects of English?

    The fact that you refer to a form of English as an "Indian dialect" is pretty darn terrifying, if you ask me. That's all we need. Inglish. Marc

    Thyme In The Country
    Interacx

    People are just notoriously impossible. --DavidCrow
    There's NO excuse for not commenting your code. -- John Simmons / outlaw programmer
    People who say that they will refactor their code later to make it "good" don't understand refactoring, nor the art and craft of programming. -- Josh Smith

    V N M E C 5 Replies Last reply
    0
    • P Paul Watson

      Vikram A Punathambekar wrote:

      "You are going to Hyderabad tomorrow, no*?"

      Many "native" English speakers use that phrase. I know I do.

      Vikram A Punathambekar wrote:

      So, what do you guys think of the Indian dialects of English?

      The "I have a doubt" phrase bugs me. There is a fundamental difference between the words "doubt" and "question." Other than that y'all cute the way you speak. ;)

      regards, Paul Watson Ireland & South Africa

      Shog9 wrote:

      And with that, Paul closed his browser, sipped his herbal tea, fixed the flower in his hair, and smiled brightly at the multitude of cute, furry animals flocking around the grassy hillside where he sat coding Ruby on his Mac...

      V Offline
      V Offline
      Vikram A Punathambekar
      wrote on last edited by
      #4

      Paul Watson wrote:

      Many "native" English speakers use that phrase. I know I do.

      1. Is it common among Saffas, or just you? I think the Irish do it, though I could be mistaken. 2. You are a native English speaker, aren't you? I don't think Afrikaans is your mother tongue. :~

      Paul Watson wrote:

      The "I have a doubt" phrase bugs me.

      As would "Let's do lunch" to an Englishman, I suppose. :-D

      Cheers, Vikram.


      "But nowadays, it means nothing. Features are never frozen, development keeps happening, bugs never get fixed, and documentation is something you might find on wikipedia." - Marc Clifton on betas.

      Join the CP group at NationStates. Password: byalmightybob

      P 1 Reply Last reply
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      • M Marc Clifton

        Vikram A Punathambekar wrote:

        what do you guys think of the Indian dialects of English?

        The fact that you refer to a form of English as an "Indian dialect" is pretty darn terrifying, if you ask me. That's all we need. Inglish. Marc

        Thyme In The Country
        Interacx

        People are just notoriously impossible. --DavidCrow
        There's NO excuse for not commenting your code. -- John Simmons / outlaw programmer
        People who say that they will refactor their code later to make it "good" don't understand refactoring, nor the art and craft of programming. -- Josh Smith

        V Offline
        V Offline
        Vikram A Punathambekar
        wrote on last edited by
        #5

        The differences between a Bihari's English and a Tamilian's are starker than those between an American's and an Englishman's.

        Cheers, Vikram.


        "But nowadays, it means nothing. Features are never frozen, development keeps happening, bugs never get fixed, and documentation is something you might find on wikipedia." - Marc Clifton on betas.

        Join the CP group at NationStates. Password: byalmightybob

        R 1 Reply Last reply
        0
        • M Marc Clifton

          Vikram A Punathambekar wrote:

          what do you guys think of the Indian dialects of English?

          The fact that you refer to a form of English as an "Indian dialect" is pretty darn terrifying, if you ask me. That's all we need. Inglish. Marc

          Thyme In The Country
          Interacx

          People are just notoriously impossible. --DavidCrow
          There's NO excuse for not commenting your code. -- John Simmons / outlaw programmer
          People who say that they will refactor their code later to make it "good" don't understand refactoring, nor the art and craft of programming. -- Josh Smith

          N Offline
          N Offline
          NormDroid
          wrote on last edited by
          #6

          Marc Clifton wrote:

          Inglish

          Hooo haaa, :laugh::laugh::laugh:

          .net is a box of never ending treasures, every day I get find another gem.

          1 Reply Last reply
          0
          • V Vikram A Punathambekar

            Paul Watson wrote:

            Many "native" English speakers use that phrase. I know I do.

            1. Is it common among Saffas, or just you? I think the Irish do it, though I could be mistaken. 2. You are a native English speaker, aren't you? I don't think Afrikaans is your mother tongue. :~

            Paul Watson wrote:

            The "I have a doubt" phrase bugs me.

            As would "Let's do lunch" to an Englishman, I suppose. :-D

            Cheers, Vikram.


            "But nowadays, it means nothing. Features are never frozen, development keeps happening, bugs never get fixed, and documentation is something you might find on wikipedia." - Marc Clifton on betas.

            Join the CP group at NationStates. Password: byalmightybob

            P Offline
            P Offline
            Paul Watson
            wrote on last edited by
            #7

            Vikram A Punathambekar wrote:

            1. Is it common among Saffas, or just you? I think the Irish do it, though I could be mistaken.

            I've heard Irishmen, Englishman, Zimbabweans, the French and South Africans use the phrase. Not sure about Aussies, Kiwis or North Americans. I think it comes from French, actually. It is quintessentially French to end a question with "non."

            Vikram A Punathambekar wrote:

            As would "Let's do lunch" to an Englishman, I suppose.

            "Doing" lunch is an awful turn of phrase.

            regards, Paul Watson Ireland & South Africa

            Shog9 wrote:

            And with that, Paul closed his browser, sipped his herbal tea, fixed the flower in his hair, and smiled brightly at the multitude of cute, furry animals flocking around the grassy hillside where he sat coding Ruby on his Mac...

            1 Reply Last reply
            0
            • P Paul Watson

              Vikram A Punathambekar wrote:

              "You are going to Hyderabad tomorrow, no*?"

              Many "native" English speakers use that phrase. I know I do.

              Vikram A Punathambekar wrote:

              So, what do you guys think of the Indian dialects of English?

              The "I have a doubt" phrase bugs me. There is a fundamental difference between the words "doubt" and "question." Other than that y'all cute the way you speak. ;)

              regards, Paul Watson Ireland & South Africa

              Shog9 wrote:

              And with that, Paul closed his browser, sipped his herbal tea, fixed the flower in his hair, and smiled brightly at the multitude of cute, furry animals flocking around the grassy hillside where he sat coding Ruby on his Mac...

              C Offline
              C Offline
              Chris Losinger
              wrote on last edited by
              #8

              Paul Watson wrote:

              I know I do.

              i use it too, but as a kindof silly affectation. to American ears, it has a bit of foreign, old-world flavor. as if English is not the speaker's first language. it has a vaguely French feel, non?

              Paul Watson wrote:

              The "I have a doubt" phrase bugs me.

              oh hell yes. it grates on me, makes me cringe.

              image processing toolkits | batch image processing | blogging

              1 Reply Last reply
              0
              • P Paul Watson

                Vikram A Punathambekar wrote:

                "You are going to Hyderabad tomorrow, no*?"

                Many "native" English speakers use that phrase. I know I do.

                Vikram A Punathambekar wrote:

                So, what do you guys think of the Indian dialects of English?

                The "I have a doubt" phrase bugs me. There is a fundamental difference between the words "doubt" and "question." Other than that y'all cute the way you speak. ;)

                regards, Paul Watson Ireland & South Africa

                Shog9 wrote:

                And with that, Paul closed his browser, sipped his herbal tea, fixed the flower in his hair, and smiled brightly at the multitude of cute, furry animals flocking around the grassy hillside where he sat coding Ruby on his Mac...

                D Offline
                D Offline
                Dan Neely
                wrote on last edited by
                #9

                Paul Watson wrote:

                Vikram A Punathambekar wrote: "You are going to Hyderabad tomorrow, no*?" Many "native" English speakers use that phrase. I know I do.

                The version I hear and see in the US is close to the opposite. it'd be "You are going to Hyderabad tomorrow, right/correct*?"

                -- CleaKO The sad part about this instance is that none of the users ever said anything [about the problem]. Pete O`Hanlon Doesn't that just tell you everything you need to know about users?

                P V 2 Replies Last reply
                0
                • D Dan Neely

                  Paul Watson wrote:

                  Vikram A Punathambekar wrote: "You are going to Hyderabad tomorrow, no*?" Many "native" English speakers use that phrase. I know I do.

                  The version I hear and see in the US is close to the opposite. it'd be "You are going to Hyderabad tomorrow, right/correct*?"

                  -- CleaKO The sad part about this instance is that none of the users ever said anything [about the problem]. Pete O`Hanlon Doesn't that just tell you everything you need to know about users?

                  P Offline
                  P Offline
                  Paul Watson
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #10

                  dan neely wrote:

                  The version I hear and see in the US is close to the opposite. it'd be "You are going to Hyderabad tomorrow, right/correct*?"

                  Oddly I use that too and it means the same thing :-D Got to love English, no?

                  regards, Paul Watson Ireland & South Africa

                  Shog9 wrote:

                  And with that, Paul closed his browser, sipped his herbal tea, fixed the flower in his hair, and smiled brightly at the multitude of cute, furry animals flocking around the grassy hillside where he sat coding Ruby on his Mac...

                  1 Reply Last reply
                  0
                  • M Marc Clifton

                    Vikram A Punathambekar wrote:

                    what do you guys think of the Indian dialects of English?

                    The fact that you refer to a form of English as an "Indian dialect" is pretty darn terrifying, if you ask me. That's all we need. Inglish. Marc

                    Thyme In The Country
                    Interacx

                    People are just notoriously impossible. --DavidCrow
                    There's NO excuse for not commenting your code. -- John Simmons / outlaw programmer
                    People who say that they will refactor their code later to make it "good" don't understand refactoring, nor the art and craft of programming. -- Josh Smith

                    M Offline
                    M Offline
                    Matt Newman
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #11

                    Marc Clifton wrote:

                    Inglish.

                    The common term in my area is Engrish :)

                    Matt Newman

                    M A _ 3 Replies Last reply
                    0
                    • V Vikram A Punathambekar

                      The differences between a Bihari's English and a Tamilian's are starker than those between an American's and an Englishman's.

                      Cheers, Vikram.


                      "But nowadays, it means nothing. Features are never frozen, development keeps happening, bugs never get fixed, and documentation is something you might find on wikipedia." - Marc Clifton on betas.

                      Join the CP group at NationStates. Password: byalmightybob

                      R Offline
                      R Offline
                      Rama Krishna Vavilala
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #12

                      I have a Bihari accent, which I thought I didn't have until recently when I heard my own voice in a webcast. :(

                      M 1 Reply Last reply
                      0
                      • V Vikram A Punathambekar

                        Nothing against native English speakers, but this has always struck me as strange - when there is a phrase or word used by native English speakers of a particular region/country, it somehow seems to gain acceptance. However, the idiosyncrasies of English as spoken by Indians are termed incorrect, despite the fact that India has the most English speakers in the world! Personally, while I cringe at "Why you went there?" or "Who and all are in the car?", I love the unique flavor. :love: While I would never write stuff like "You are going to Hyderabad tomorrow, no*?", I use it all the time when speaking to fellow Indians (never to native speakers, though). Most likely because I'd stick out as a sore thumb otherwise, I suppose. :^) Until last year or so, I used to say "I have a doubt". Although I think my English is very good, it never *struck me* that the above sentence was incorrect. I now say "I have a question". I also used to say 'yesterday night' until Roger told me the correct term was 'last night'. Yesterday morning, yesterday afternoon, yesterday evening, but last night. Sounds a bit strange, but hey, I've learned** to live with it. So, what do you guys think of the Indian dialects of English? :-D * In this context, 'no' means 'aren't you'? ** While many may say 'learnt' is the correct past tense of 'learn', I prefer learned.

                        Cheers, Vikram.


                        "But nowadays, it means nothing. Features are never frozen, development keeps happening, bugs never get fixed, and documentation is something you might find on wikipedia." - Marc Clifton on betas.

                        Join the CP group at NationStates. Password: byalmightybob

                        C Offline
                        C Offline
                        Colin Angus Mackay
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #13

                        Vikram A Punathambekar wrote:

                        So, what do you guys think of the Indian dialects of English?

                        I like some of it. The overuse of the present continuous tense I like. e.g. "I am wanting a drink" Vs. "I want a drink", or "I am thinking that..." Vs. "I think that..." But the "I have a doubt" irritates me. A "doubt" expresses something that is unbelievable. e.g. "I doubt that the polititian is telling the truth"


                        Upcoming events: * Glasgow: Introduction to AJAX (2nd May), SQL Server 2005 - XML and XML Query Plans, Mock Objects, SQL Server Reporting Services... Never write for other people. Write for yourself, because you have a passion for it. -- Marc Clifton My website

                        L N 2 Replies Last reply
                        0
                        • M Matt Newman

                          Marc Clifton wrote:

                          Inglish.

                          The common term in my area is Engrish :)

                          Matt Newman

                          M Offline
                          M Offline
                          Marc Clifton
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #14

                          Matt Newman wrote:

                          The common term in my area is Engrish

                          You live in Japan? Marc

                          Thyme In The Country
                          Interacx

                          People are just notoriously impossible. --DavidCrow
                          There's NO excuse for not commenting your code. -- John Simmons / outlaw programmer
                          People who say that they will refactor their code later to make it "good" don't understand refactoring, nor the art and craft of programming. -- Josh Smith

                          N 1 Reply Last reply
                          0
                          • V Vikram A Punathambekar

                            Nothing against native English speakers, but this has always struck me as strange - when there is a phrase or word used by native English speakers of a particular region/country, it somehow seems to gain acceptance. However, the idiosyncrasies of English as spoken by Indians are termed incorrect, despite the fact that India has the most English speakers in the world! Personally, while I cringe at "Why you went there?" or "Who and all are in the car?", I love the unique flavor. :love: While I would never write stuff like "You are going to Hyderabad tomorrow, no*?", I use it all the time when speaking to fellow Indians (never to native speakers, though). Most likely because I'd stick out as a sore thumb otherwise, I suppose. :^) Until last year or so, I used to say "I have a doubt". Although I think my English is very good, it never *struck me* that the above sentence was incorrect. I now say "I have a question". I also used to say 'yesterday night' until Roger told me the correct term was 'last night'. Yesterday morning, yesterday afternoon, yesterday evening, but last night. Sounds a bit strange, but hey, I've learned** to live with it. So, what do you guys think of the Indian dialects of English? :-D * In this context, 'no' means 'aren't you'? ** While many may say 'learnt' is the correct past tense of 'learn', I prefer learned.

                            Cheers, Vikram.


                            "But nowadays, it means nothing. Features are never frozen, development keeps happening, bugs never get fixed, and documentation is something you might find on wikipedia." - Marc Clifton on betas.

                            Join the CP group at NationStates. Password: byalmightybob

                            J Offline
                            J Offline
                            J4amieC
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #15

                            I have a related question; why do I see SMS SPK used much more often by Indians than any other English Speakers online?

                            --- How to get answers to your questions[^]

                            C V N 3 Replies Last reply
                            0
                            • D Dan Neely

                              Paul Watson wrote:

                              Vikram A Punathambekar wrote: "You are going to Hyderabad tomorrow, no*?" Many "native" English speakers use that phrase. I know I do.

                              The version I hear and see in the US is close to the opposite. it'd be "You are going to Hyderabad tomorrow, right/correct*?"

                              -- CleaKO The sad part about this instance is that none of the users ever said anything [about the problem]. Pete O`Hanlon Doesn't that just tell you everything you need to know about users?

                              V Offline
                              V Offline
                              Vikram A Punathambekar
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #16

                              "You are going to Hyderabad tomorrow, right?"

                              That is exactly what I say when I talk to native English speakers. I'm a chameleon! :-D

                              Cheers, Vikram.


                              "But nowadays, it means nothing. Features are never frozen, development keeps happening, bugs never get fixed, and documentation is something you might find on wikipedia." - Marc Clifton on betas.

                              Join the CP group at NationStates. Password: byalmightybob

                              1 Reply Last reply
                              0
                              • J J4amieC

                                I have a related question; why do I see SMS SPK used much more often by Indians than any other English Speakers online?

                                --- How to get answers to your questions[^]

                                C Offline
                                C Offline
                                Colin Angus Mackay
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #17

                                J4amieC wrote:

                                why do I see SMS SPK used much more often by Indians than any other English Speakers online?

                                I've often wondered that too. I really is quite annoying and highly unprofessional.


                                Upcoming events: * Glasgow: Introduction to AJAX (2nd May), SQL Server 2005 - XML and XML Query Plans, Mock Objects, SQL Server Reporting Services... Never write for other people. Write for yourself, because you have a passion for it. -- Marc Clifton My website

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                                • R Rama Krishna Vavilala

                                  I have a Bihari accent, which I thought I didn't have until recently when I heard my own voice in a webcast. :(

                                  M Offline
                                  M Offline
                                  milan
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #18

                                  Hey guys! what is your response when someone ends every single sentence with "ra".. "how are you ra?" "what ra?" :-)

                                  satan

                                  V 1 Reply Last reply
                                  0
                                  • J J4amieC

                                    I have a related question; why do I see SMS SPK used much more often by Indians than any other English Speakers online?

                                    --- How to get answers to your questions[^]

                                    V Offline
                                    V Offline
                                    Vikram A Punathambekar
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #19

                                    J4amieC wrote:

                                    I have a related question

                                    Are you sure that isn't a doubt? ;P

                                    Cheers, Vikram.


                                    "But nowadays, it means nothing. Features are never frozen, development keeps happening, bugs never get fixed, and documentation is something you might find on wikipedia." - Marc Clifton on betas.

                                    Join the CP group at NationStates. Password: byalmightybob

                                    1 Reply Last reply
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                                    • M Matt Newman

                                      Marc Clifton wrote:

                                      Inglish.

                                      The common term in my area is Engrish :)

                                      Matt Newman

                                      A Offline
                                      A Offline
                                      Aaron VanWieren
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #20

                                      Is this before or after hitting the pub?:laugh:

                                      _____________________________________________________________________ Our developers never release code. Rather, it tends to escape, pillaging the countryside all around. The Enlightenment Project (paraphrased comment) Visit Me at GISDevCafe

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                                      • C Colin Angus Mackay

                                        Vikram A Punathambekar wrote:

                                        So, what do you guys think of the Indian dialects of English?

                                        I like some of it. The overuse of the present continuous tense I like. e.g. "I am wanting a drink" Vs. "I want a drink", or "I am thinking that..." Vs. "I think that..." But the "I have a doubt" irritates me. A "doubt" expresses something that is unbelievable. e.g. "I doubt that the polititian is telling the truth"


                                        Upcoming events: * Glasgow: Introduction to AJAX (2nd May), SQL Server 2005 - XML and XML Query Plans, Mock Objects, SQL Server Reporting Services... Never write for other people. Write for yourself, because you have a passion for it. -- Marc Clifton My website

                                        L Offline
                                        L Offline
                                        led mike
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #21

                                        Colin Angus Mackay wrote:

                                        But the "I have a doubt" irritates me.

                                        Yeah, I wouldn't say it is irritating but it does bring me doubt. :-D

                                        led mike

                                        1 Reply Last reply
                                        0
                                        • V Vikram A Punathambekar

                                          Nothing against native English speakers, but this has always struck me as strange - when there is a phrase or word used by native English speakers of a particular region/country, it somehow seems to gain acceptance. However, the idiosyncrasies of English as spoken by Indians are termed incorrect, despite the fact that India has the most English speakers in the world! Personally, while I cringe at "Why you went there?" or "Who and all are in the car?", I love the unique flavor. :love: While I would never write stuff like "You are going to Hyderabad tomorrow, no*?", I use it all the time when speaking to fellow Indians (never to native speakers, though). Most likely because I'd stick out as a sore thumb otherwise, I suppose. :^) Until last year or so, I used to say "I have a doubt". Although I think my English is very good, it never *struck me* that the above sentence was incorrect. I now say "I have a question". I also used to say 'yesterday night' until Roger told me the correct term was 'last night'. Yesterday morning, yesterday afternoon, yesterday evening, but last night. Sounds a bit strange, but hey, I've learned** to live with it. So, what do you guys think of the Indian dialects of English? :-D * In this context, 'no' means 'aren't you'? ** While many may say 'learnt' is the correct past tense of 'learn', I prefer learned.

                                          Cheers, Vikram.


                                          "But nowadays, it means nothing. Features are never frozen, development keeps happening, bugs never get fixed, and documentation is something you might find on wikipedia." - Marc Clifton on betas.

                                          Join the CP group at NationStates. Password: byalmightybob

                                          M Offline
                                          M Offline
                                          Matt Newman
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #22

                                          As others have mentioned doubt is more of a disbelief or question of integrity. So I have a doubt reads as I have a disbelief or something along that route. "You are going to Hyderabad tomorrow, no*?", as i was taught that is not correct because no is used as a question (and it really isn't a question) and because its posed as an interjection. A sentance should still work without the interjection and "You are going to Hyderabad tomorrow" no longer means the same thing. If you switch around you and are and drop the ", no" it makes perfect sense: "Are you going to Hyderabad tomorrow?". Last night is a weird case, I really don't know why but it sounds "right".

                                          Matt Newman

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