Cross-Cultural
Capers: 'English as she is spoke in Australia and India'
Indrani
Ganguly
Moving from one outpost of the British Empire to
another has provided interesting experiences in working out what’s similar and what’s
different. As a writer, my particular interest has been 'English as she is spoke’ in the two countries.
My Australian-born, Australian-raised husband said
I should abandon ‘thrice’ which is commonly used by Indians but considered
archaic here. He couldn’t explain why a perfectly serviceable word had been
replaced by two (three times), contrary to George Orwell’s advice to cut out a word where was possible to
do so.
There have been some funny moments when using
words that have totally different meanings in the two countries. In India, if
you invite someone for tea (çha) in India, it is for a nice cuppa and
some snacks, not for the evening meal as is the case for some Australians. An
Indian friend alerted me to this after her experience with Australian guests
who had misunderstood her invitation to be one for dinner. It was only after
she made the third pot that both sides realised there was something amiss!
I also learnt that 'to bring a plate' meant bring
some food to share, not a fancy piece of porcelain as a present for whoever had
invited us to something.
There were also amusing instances at work. We had
been discussing variations in climate in Australia and India. I mentioned that Indians
had to be careful not to expose themselves to the hot loo in summer as it could
make them ill. My colleagues looked extremely puzzled. Then one of them asked: 'Are toilets particularly hot in Indian summers
because they’re outside?' That was when
I learnt that loo in Australia is not the hot, dry wind that blows over the
Northern plains of India!
They were also puzzled when I said Indian style
pyjamas would be more comfortable work clothes in the humid summers of Brisbane
than conventional trousers or jeans, not realising for Australians this meant
sleepwear!
My daughter has also advised me not to use the
Indian slang 'Bong' for
Bengalis (my ethnic/linguistic group) as 'Bong' in Australia means a device for smoking cannabis! Australian Bengalis have compromised. We use Bong
amongst ourselves, there is even a Facebook page Australia Bong [ Bengali]) Connection but not when there are other Australians present.
Vive le difference!
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