Kindly Adjust to Our English - Sashi Taroor

Contextual Questions

Annotate the following lines in the given pattern

a. Identify the lesson and name the writer of the given lines.

b. Discuss the context of the lines and appreciate them critically in about 75 words.

1. “If Americans can say ‘fall’ for autumn and ‘gotten’ for ‘have got’, why can’t Indians say ‘do the needful’?”

a. Lesson & Writer

Lesson: Kindly Adjust to Our English

Writer: Shashi Tharoor

b. Context

These lines are taken from the essay where Shashi Tharoor talks about the acceptance of Indian English. He explains how different countries use English in their own way. He gives examples from American English to show that variation in language is natural. In this context, he questions why Indian expressions are often criticised.

Explanation

Tharoor points out that Americans use words like “fall” instead of “autumn” and “gotten” instead of “have got.” These forms are accepted worldwide. So, he asks why Indians cannot use phrases like “do the needful.” He suggests that Indian English is also a valid form and should not be considered wrong.

Critical Appreciation

This line is powerful and thought-provoking. It uses a simple comparison to challenge the idea that only British or American English is correct. The rhetorical question makes the reader think deeply. Tharoor strongly supports linguistic diversity and cultural identity. His argument is logical, clear, and promotes confidence in Indian English.

2. “Some Indian English was created by our media—‘airdash’ and ‘history sheeter’.”

a. Lesson & Writer

Lesson: Kindly Adjust to Our English
Writer: Shashi Tharoor

b. Context

These lines appear in the essay where Shashi Tharoor discusses how Indian English has developed over time. He explains that not only common people but also the media has played an important role in creating new expressions. In this context, he gives examples of words used in newspapers and television.

Explanation

Tharoor says that some words in Indian English are created by the media. Terms like “airdash” (to travel quickly by air) and “history sheeter” (a person with a criminal record) are examples. These words are not found in standard British or American English, but they are widely understood in India.

Critical Appreciation

This line highlights the creativity of Indian English. It shows how language grows through real-life use, especially in media. Tharoor appreciates these expressions as practical and meaningful. At the same time, the examples make the idea clear and relatable. His tone is balanced, showing both pride and awareness of language development.

3. “What is your good name? is still the most polite form, in any version of English, for finding out the identity of your interlocutor.”

a. Lesson & Writer

Lesson: Kindly Adjust to Our English
Writer: Shashi Tharoor

b. Context

These lines come from the essay where Shashi Tharoor explains how Indian English reflects Indian manners and cultural values. He discusses how certain expressions, though unusual in other forms of English, are polite and meaningful in India. In this context, he refers to a common Indian way of asking someone’s name.

Explanation

The phrase “What is your good name?” is widely used in India to ask someone’s name politely. Tharoor points out that even if this expression is not common in British or American English, it shows respect and courtesy. It reflects Indian culture, where politeness and formality are important in communication.

Critical Appreciation

This line highlights the cultural richness of Indian English. Tharoor defends such expressions by showing their positive intention. The use of the phrase “most polite form” emphasizes respect in Indian society. His argument encourages readers to value cultural differences in language. The tone is appreciative and promotes acceptance of Indian identity in English usage.

4. “But acknowledging the legitimacy of Indian English doesn’t mean that anything goes.”

a. Lesson & Writer

Lesson: Kindly Adjust to Our English

Writer: Shashi Tharoor

b. Context

These lines occur in the essay when Shashi Tharoor is discussing the limits of accepting Indian English. After supporting Indian English as a valid variety, he also warns that not all forms of usage are correct. In this context, he stresses the need for maintaining proper standards.

Explanation

Tharoor means that even though Indian English is legitimate, it does not mean that all kinds of expressions or mistakes should be accepted. There is a difference between creative Indian usages and simple grammatical errors. While new expressions can enrich the language, incorrect usage should not be encouraged.

Critical Appreciation

This line shows Tharoor’s balanced thinking. He supports Indian English but also values correctness and clarity. The statement is clear and firm, reminding readers that freedom in language has limits. It adds depth to his argument and prevents misunderstanding. His tone is practical and responsible, encouraging both creativity and accuracy.

Answer the following questions in about 150 words each: 

1. Why does Shashi Tharoor argue that Indian English should be seen as a legitimate variety of English?

Shashi Tharoor believes that Indian English is a valid and natural form of English. He says that language changes when it is used by different people in different places. Just like British English and American English are accepted, Indian English should also be respected.

He explains that Indians have made English their own by using it in daily life, education, government, and media. It is not just copied from others but shaped by Indian culture and thinking. Millions of people in India use English in their own way, so it has become a living and growing variety.

Tharoor also says that Indian English helps people express their identity. It connects English with Indian traditions and experiences. So, instead of calling it “wrong,” we should see it as a rich and meaningful form of English.

2. Discuss with examples how Indian English reflects Indian culture and everyday life.

Indian English shows Indian culture because it includes words, ideas, and expressions from daily life in India. People often mix English with Indian languages, creating unique expressions.

For example, words like prepone (to move a meeting earlier) are commonly used in India but not in other countries. Similarly, people say cousin brother or cousin sister to show family relationships clearly, which is important in Indian culture.

Indian English also reflects social habits. Expressions like passing out (graduating) or do the needful are widely used in offices and schools. These phrases show how English is adapted to Indian situations.

Through such examples, we can see that Indian English carries Indian values, relationships, and ways of thinking. It is not just a language, but a reflection of everyday Indian life.

3. Tharoor makes a clear distinction between creative Indianisms and plain errors. What does he mean by this?

Shashi Tharoor explains that not all unusual forms of English used in India are correct. He separates creative Indianisms from plain errors.

Creative Indianisms are new and meaningful expressions that come from Indian culture. They may not exist in other forms of English, but they are clear and useful. For example, words like eve-teasing (public harassment) describe a social issue in India. These expressions add richness to the language.

On the other hand, plain errors are mistakes in grammar, spelling, or usage. For example, incorrect sentence structures or wrong verb forms are not acceptable. These errors do not add value to the language.

Tharoor says we should encourage creative Indianisms because they show originality, but we must avoid basic mistakes. This helps Indian English grow in a correct and meaningful way.