Hinglish – a language which mixes the use of Hindi and English is very commonly used in India.
Television channels, advertisements, movie titles like Jab We Met, Love Aaj Kal and Jab Harry Met Sejal and even Radio Jockeys presenting music use Hinglish in India.
Who would have thought the colloquial use of Hindi and English mixed together would one day be taught in classrooms?
A college in UK is now imparting 'Hinglish' lessons to help Britain do business in India, The Telegraph reports.
Portsmouth College in the UK has introduced a new course for the language, a mix of English and Hindi.
Telegraph writes, “Hinglish is a fusion of the two languages that is preferred by India's booming business community, meaning learning it could be suitable for students looking for international opportunities in the world's seventh largest economy, which is growing more rapidly than any other.”
Portsmouth College teacher, Viraj Shah, told The Telegraph: 'Films are being watched a lot of Indian people and right from the titles to the script, everything is in Hinglish.'
James Watters, a department head at the college, added: 'It's great to hear that our future generation of workers are taking into account that things that are happening around us.'
He said the course would make them 'socially aware and better prepared for situations they may be faced with'.
Hindi is one of the top Indian languages while English is spoken in almost every part of the country.
Mixing Hindi or the regional language with English words is very common in India. Saying the phone number, date or day in English or using words like good morning, goodnight, sorry, thank you and welcome comes naturally to most Indian people.
Vice versa, Hindi too has made an impact on the English language with many English words as shampoo, pyjamas, guru, bazaar, bangle and many more have their origins in India.
Some Hinglish Phrases used commonly in India:
1. First Class – When someone asks, How are you? it is very common for the person to reply – ‘First class’ which implies he/she is doing good.
2. Let’s prepone it – This is commonly used in business setting where the meeting needs to be re-scheduled to meet earlier or a project needs to be submitted earlier than decided. ‘The deadline has been preponed’ or ‘the meeting has been preponed’.
3. That "toh" I know - Most common and popular Hinglish word of all times is fitting "toh" almost everywhere. This "toh" I knew, That ‘toh’ is ok. ‘Toh’ say it.
4. Sabse best - Best should be enough but adding ‘sabse’ to it amplifies the ‘already superlative’ word. ‘My mom’s food is sabse best’, ‘Virat Kohli is sabse best’.
5. What is your good name? – This commonly used phrase appears to be a direct translation of a popular Hindi saying "Aapka shubh naam".
6. Ok Boss, Suno Boss - Right from the waiter to the bus conductor, everyone is referred to as Boss. As explained, it need not just be the person whom you report to at work. Samjhe boss?
Can you add to this list?
