Indian English vs Standard English: What to Keep and What to Fix
Ravi, a software engineer in Bengaluru, recently emailed his American client: “I am out of station today. Please revert to my colleague, Priya, and she will do the needful regarding the bug fix.” The client was baffled. Did Ravi head to a railway station? Does “revert” mean Priya will transform into someone else? And what exactly is “the needful”?
This is the classic dilemma of Indian English. Our dialect is culturally rich, logical, and deeply rooted in history. Yet, in global settings—whether an IELTS speaking test, a UPSC interview, or a corporate call—certain phrases can create confusion. Indian English is a legitimate dialect, not a “wrong” version. But like any tool, you must know when to use the local version and when to switch to the global standard.
The Logic of Indianisms: Why We Say What We Say
Many of our unique phrases are not mistakes; they are creative solutions to gaps in English. Take “prepone”. If you can postpone a meeting (move it later), why not prepone it (move it earlier)? The word is so logical that it has even entered the Oxford English Dictionary. In a Mumbai office, everyone understands. But in London, a colleague might pause to process it.
Similarly, some words are perfectly acceptable because they describe our specific reality:
- Lakh and crore: Standard English uses millions and billions, but in India, we use these for everything from cricket contracts to apartment prices.
- Tiffin: While a Brit might say “lunch box,” a tiffin is a specific cultural institution in India.
- Cantonment: Frequently used in cities like Pune or Secunderabad to describe military quarters.
If you are writing for an Indian audience—like a local newspaper or a memo to your Chennai team—keep these words. They are efficient. For a global audience, translate them: use “100,000” instead of “1 lakh.”
The “Fix-It” List: Common Sources of Confusion
Some Indianisms are literal translations from native languages like Hindi, Tamil, or Bengali. These often sound redundant or awkward to native speakers from the UK, US, or Australia.
The “Good Name” Trap
In India, we often ask, “What is your good name?” This is a direct translation of “Aapka shubh naam kya hai?”
| Indian English | Standard English |
|---|---|
| What is your good name? | What is your name? |
Why fix it? In Standard English, names are not categorised as “good” or “bad.” Asking for a “good name” sounds overly formal or even suspicious to an international ear.
Cousin Brothers and Sisters
In Indian languages, we specify the gender of a cousin (mera bhai/meri behen). In Standard English, the word “cousin” is gender-neutral.
| Indian English | Standard English |
|---|---|
| I am going with my cousin brother. | I am going with my cousin. |
Why fix it? Saying “cousin brother” sounds like you are referring to a male sibling who is also your cousin. If the gender is important, simply say, “I’m going with my cousin, Arjun.”
“Revert” Doesn’t Mean “Reply”
In an IT park in Hyderabad, “Please revert at the earliest” is a common email phrase. However, in Standard English, “revert” means to return to a previous state (e.g., “The land reverted to the government.”)
| Indian English | Standard English |
|---|---|
| I will revert to you by EOD. | I will get back to you by EOD. |
Professional Phrases: The Corporate Translation
When working with international clients, the way we phrase professional requests can sometimes sound outdated. Here’s how to modernise common expressions:
| Indian English Phrase | Global Standard Equivalent | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Do the needful | Please take care of this / Please handle it | Requesting action |
| Out of station | Out of town / Away from my desk | Being unavailable |
| Passed out of college | Graduated from college | Education history |
| Discuss about | Discuss | Project meetings |
| Tell me one thing | I have a question / By the way | Interrupting to ask |
The “Discuss About” Error
This is one of the most common errors in Indian professional circles. You discuss a topic; you do not discuss about a topic.
| Indian English | Standard English |
|---|---|
| Let’s discuss about the marketing strategy. | Let’s discuss the marketing strategy. |
The Question of Identity: When to Stay Indian?
Does this mean you should erase your Indian identity? Absolutely not. There is charm and precision in the way we speak. If you are talking to a friend in Delhi about your “back-side neighbours,” they know you mean the people living behind your house. Tell an American that, and they might think you are referring to someone’s anatomy!
The rule of thumb is: Audience + Intent.
- Audience: If the person you are speaking to shares your cultural background, Indianisms build rapport. They feel like “chai and biscuits”—comfortable and familiar.
- Intent: If your goal is to pass a standardised test like the TOEFL or win a contract from a firm in Toronto, your intent is clarity. In these cases, use Standard English to remove any possibility of misunderstanding.
Redundancies to Avoid
We often add extra words for emphasis. In Standard English, less is more.
- “Return back”: Return already means to go back.
Correct vs Incorrect Usage Indian English Standard English When will you return back from Mumbai? When will you return from Mumbai? - “Only”: We use this to translate the Hindi ‘hi’.
Correct vs Incorrect Usage Indian English Standard English I will do it today only. I will do it today. - “Mention not”: A common response to “Thank you.”
Correct vs Incorrect Usage Indian English Standard English Mention not, Ravi! You’re welcome! / No problem!
Final Thought
Indian English is a dialect, not a collection of errors, but it requires code-switching for international contexts. Avoid literal translations like “good name” or “cousin brother” in formal global writing. Update your email vocabulary by swapping “do the needful” and “revert” for clearer alternatives. Be mindful of redundancies—words like “back” (with return) or “only” (for emphasis) are usually unnecessary.
The bottom line: Speak Indian English to connect with your roots, but master Standard English to connect with the world.