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Questions tagged [subcontinental-english]

Questions related to the English language as it is spoken and written across the Indian Subcontinent in the South-Asian countries of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

Use this tag for asking questions related to the English language as it is spoken and written across what is known as the Indian Subcontinent- specifically, in the South-Asian countries of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

Example questions:

Can "doubt" sometimes mean "question"?

What is wrong in "Please don't pluck the flowers" and other phrases used in the Indian subcontinent?

Is "prepone" being used outside India?

What does "small small" mean in Indian English?

A number of phenomena and features of Indian English have been outlined in this semi-canonical answer. Consider looking through that list (which links to a number of helpful resources and questions on this site) before asking a question of your own.

256 questions
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Is the term "would-be" just an Indian usage or universal?

I've noticed that Indians use the term would-be in place of fiancé/fiancée. Usages like "Meet my would-be" and "This is my would-be" are common in introductions. I used to wonder if this is just an Indian usage or if we got it from the British. I…
MediumOne
  • 1,111
5
votes
3 answers

What's the meaning of "the same" in Indian English

I work in tech, and at the company I work for employs and does business with a lot of Indian businesses and individuals. When exchanging emails, I've been noticing the use of "the same" in a completely different context than I'm familiar with. To…
Hu Ti
  • 59
5
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1 answer

Why is "to do" replaced by "for doing" in Indian English?

I've come across some articles published by Indian publishers, and there was a sentence that said, Tiwari recalled that during the first meeting with Kalam, Swamiji asked him, “Though you have contributed many technological innovations to the…
Bryan Jones
  • 105
5
votes
1 answer

Why do speakers from India frequently use the phrase "the same"?

In working with overseas teams, as well as with reading text written by speakers from India, I notice a strong overusage of the following types of phrases: Please reply with the same. Kindly review the same and let us know of any issue. I am…
eykanal
  • 519
2
votes
1 answer

Usage of 'couple'

When to use 'of' with 'a couple' and when not to? Like we say 'I ate a couple of bananas today' and 'Give me a couple more minutes'. So is there any specific rule which we have to keep in mind? Thank you!
user214671
  • 37
2
votes
1 answer

Indian English usage of "na"

I have heard a lot of conversations end up in the word "na" mainly among in youth of India. For example: You know naa. You have phone naa. Does this make any sense? Is it a development in Indian English?
Jashan
  • 167
1
vote
1 answer

What does a "non-cooperate and prepare for civil disobedience" mean in this speech?

[[26]]Mussalmans are not a minority as it is commonly known and understood. One has only got to look round. Even today, according to the British map of India, out of eleven provinces, four provinces where the Muslims dominate more or less, are…
Eloise Zeng
  • 33
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vote
1 answer

What to respond with so that a narrator understands that you are following him?

In the following video, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wHh7cDQi48 we see that the listener is responding by saying "Okay" periodically. But, I don't think, this is the standard form of expression. What to respond with so that a narrator…
user20865
1
vote
1 answer

How might an Indian speaking English understand "two axles spaced not more than 1.2m centres"?

I am currently reading a code of practice called IRC:6-2014, which is the Indian standard for highway loading. It is written in English, but much of the phrasing doesn't scan well for me, as a native English speaker. One phrase which I am…
AndyT
  • 14,793
1
vote
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meaning of "head over to"

what is the meaning of "head over to" I was reading one blog. In that blog, they said like if you want more informatio please "head over to this link"
saravanan
  • 123
0
votes
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This June - position within a sentence

India rejected an Australian request to join maritime exercises along with the U.S. and Japan this June, and Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba said quite plainly last month that there was no plan to “militarise” the Quad. I took this line from a…
DEB
  • 11
0
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Does this piece of text comply with English's grammar and fluency concepts?

I'm at odds about whether the following text is grammatically correct. While it obviously uses quite 'extravagant' words that one wouldn't use in everyday life, I actually think that the text lacks proper grammar, and also fails to comply with…
masteringnew dates
  • 11
0
votes
1 answer

Can i know what is the meaning of "Nothing Like That"?

I asked a person, "Aren't we meeting in next 2 or 3 years?" The person replied saying: "Nothing like that." What does he mean? Will the person will meet me or not?
Ruthvik Vaila
  • 101
0
votes
2 answers

meaning of "haul up"

I read this sentence from the book "REVOLUTION 2020" I remained under a banyan tree, exhausted by my daily ritual of hauling up the men every two hours". I got the meaning for haul up as "to come to a halt" . but i dont thhik this will be fit…
saravanan
  • 123
0
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How to specify from "this" college in "this" university?

I am confused how to write "B.E. with 80% from this college at this university" in formal language
user2558628
  • 101
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