Hazaar Fundas of Indian-English

Just back from India, where I picked up a wonderful, witty, and insightful book on the subject of Indian-English called “Entry From Backside Only: Hazaar Fundas of Indian-English” by B.K. John.

I believe the book was only published in India and Singapore originally, but it’s well worth getting your hands on a copy through Amazon.com or whatever. It really blows away the tiresome “Hinglish” anecdotes that are constantly recycled at the bar, and explores social, cultural, and political strands that combine to create this hybrid form of the English language.

As far back as 1882, there was an attempt to create an Indian-English dictionary (Hobson-Jobson by Yule and Burnell), which noted:


The words which we have to do taking the the most extensive view of the field are in face organic remains deposited under the various currents of external influence that have washed the shores of India during twenty centuries and more.

Written in a highly entertaining style too.


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Ultan Ó Broin
Ultan Ó Broin (@localization), is an independent UX consultant. With three decades of UX and L10n experience and outreach, he specializes in helping people ensure their global digital transformation makes sense culturally and also reflects how users behave locally. Any views expressed are his own. Especially the ones you agree with.

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