Passengers on the London Underground wearing Cashmere sweaters will ask other passengers to Kindly adjust!

 English is a very funny language. Someone has rightly said this. As the food changes every 100 km, so is the language. And English being the most used language globally can take different forms in different parts of the world. Unsurprisingly, accent also changes. 

If you ever get a chance to travel out of India, then you will get to experience various English dialects such as New Zealanders English, British English, American English, Canadian English, etc. Even the words with the same meaning will have different spellings in different countries. Colors v/s colours, licence v/s license, humor v/s humour, etc and the most recent one that I am experiencing frequently is organize v/s organise. Which one do you choose? Even, if I start to write in British English using this app, it will suggest an error and try to correct it with American English. Why?

Apart from this, a few of the phrases that are often used locally in any country may not be counted as the correct form of English in other countries. One of which includes, 'Kindly adjust'. This is the most used word in India but this phrase is an alien to other parts of the world. Similary, 'This is only me' can only be heard here. But, does that make you incorrect when used outside of our country?

There are few, who really can't resist correcting you every time you use a wrong spelling or accent or phrase. It's not wrong though, they only want your best. Isn't it? However, I don't feel that you should let that affect your confidence. Language is only meant to be language, i.e. it should serve the purpose of what you want to deliver to the other person. Learning can go on throughout our lifetime. Right!

 

The purpose of learning in an English medium school cannot be fulfilled if you don't have that confidence to speak up without any hesitation. I have experienced few people, who will speak completely incorrect English in full confidence. And, honestly, this has sometimes put me in a doubtful position. Similarly, the need to copy the accent of other countries is also not something that we should be doing. Although, I agree with जैसा देश वैसा भेष motto. But unnecessarily copying another country's accent can put you in an embarrassing situation. In the end, I will say that be confident in Indian English. Maybe someday, you will get to see passengers on the London underground wearing Cashmere sweaters, asking other passengers to 'Kindly adjust!' 😉