indianisms learning guide

8/10/2019 Indianisms Learning Guide

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Indianisms


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Infosys Limited Indianisms

1 | P a g e I n f o s y s F o u n d a t i o n P r o g r a m

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Contents

Context ........................................................................................................................................................ 3

Indianisms .................................................................................................................................................... 3

1.1 Frequently made mistakes and Why ....................................................................................... 5

Exercises ...................................................................................................................................................... 6


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ContextThis document contains exercises to be completed as a part of the module- Indianisms .

Indianisms

Indianisms are certain grammatical errors that creep in when an Indian speaks English by transliteratingi.e. the speaker thinks in his native language and translates the same into English while communicating.When this is done, often grammatical errors and improper sentence construct creep in.

For e.g.-

It was getting very dark in the afternoon as my daddy returned to home from work. As he entered thebedroom he tried to switch the light on, but there was some problem. And then my daddy said, "Why is

light not oning?" (ing form of on )

Words such as these are often used without much conscious awareness of its unique local flavor and cancreate confusion for a native speaker who is listening to such a conversation.

Let us look at some of the commonly used Indianisms in our everyday life-

1. Use of progressive tense in Stative verbs :

For example, the famous McDonalds line- I am loving it. When using Stative words such as like,love, have, feel etc. do not use progressive tense.

More examples-

I am having a brother- wrong I have a brother- correct

2. Wrong usage of Prepositions :

Let us discuss about this-wrong Let us discuss this-correct She has so much of time to do it-wrong She has plenty of time to do it-correct


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3. Use of incorrect Tag questions :

Wrong- Raj did it, no? / Dev is here, isnt it? / Sheila closed the door, did she? Correct- Raj did it, didnt he? / Dev is here, isnt he? / Sheila closed the door, didnt she?

4. Variations in Word order :

My all pockets are empty. Wrong My pockets are all empty. Correct She is late always. Wrong She is always late. Correct

5. Answers to a question :

Didnt you take Rita to school? o Yes, I didnt. Correcto No, I didnt. Wrong

6. Inappropriate usage :

Ram was not available but. Wrong But Ram was not unavailable. Correct I only told her to do that. Wrong

I told her to do that. Correct

7. Use of of :

Jane had so much of time at hand hence -wrong Jane had so much time at hand hence -correct

8. Use of rhyming words :

Lets have some chai - vai/coffee-shoffee.


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1.1 Frequently made mistakes and Why

a. I passed out from my college last year:Why- You graduate from that college; pass out refers to losing consciousness. You donot "pass out" from that institution.

b. Kindly revert if you have any further questions.Why- Revert means "to return to a former state."

c. I saw that movie years back.Why- use years ago, not years back.

d. Please refer to the mail below and kindly do the needful.Why- obsolete phrase, not used anymore.

e. I need to discuss about the budget with you.Why- discuss means to "talk about", hence about becomes redundant.

f. I want to order for a strong coffee.Why- we "order" something and not "order for" it.

g. Do one thing - take the stairs and then turn right.Why- using a stem such as do one thing before giving information, does not make sense.

h. Sorry he is out of station, come back next week.Why- it is again an obsolete phrase and complete Indianism.

i. Why are you awake? Sleep is not coming?"Why- Sleep is not an individual!

j. The meeting has been preponed to Monday.Why- although the opposite of postpone is prepone, it is used only in India. Instead useadvance.


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Exercises

Objective: To understand the commonly made mistakes while speaking in English.

Problem Description:

a) Rewrite the following Indianism with proper grammatical construct.

1. Im having two sisters.2. They had gone there yesterday.3. I didnt knew that. 4. I am listening music.5. Im telling to you. 6. I cannot discuss you that.7. My cousin brother.

8. My sister is in 12th std.9. My sister is reading in Class 1.10. Transportation facility is not available.11. I got a phone on my phone today.12. My house is at the backside of the school.13. Mother in laws.14. On the light.15. You people.16. I am putting up at.17. I think so that.18. I told to you.19. I am wanting.20. Meet at 6 am in the morning.21. I am agree/disagree.22. Have a seat.23. I am having long hair24. Your dressing sense is pathetic25. How did you find the place?26. Enclosed within27. When I was small28. Cook myself29. Give an exam30. Give me a ring31. Press my clothes32. Drinking Soup33. Today morning34. Yesterday evening35. I and my brother36. This is more preferable37. I am understanding it know38. I am ABC this side


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39. Regarding to40. I dont think so that your phone is working41. What is your good name?42. Please hold the line43. She is more taller than John44. I am looking for job45. Myself Krishna46. Can you tell me what time is it?47. This scissor is not working48. He gave me all information49. One of my friend

Summary of this assignment:By the end of this assignment, the learner will be able to:

Avoid using Indianisms in their conversations.

indianisms learning guide

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