Episode 2: Shashi Tharoor is back! [Correcting India's English.]

Summary

In this engaging conversation, Dr. Shashi Tharoor, a renowned figure in the English-speaking world, humorously addresses common mistakes Indians make with English pronunciation and grammar. He highlights pet peeves such as misusing 'presently' and 'importantly', as well as confusing words like 'revert' and 'reticent'. Dr. Tharoor also delves into the political misuse of language, discussing terms like 'doublethink', 'double speak', and 'friendly fire'. Throughout, he encourages people to embrace language as a tool for communication rather than obsessing over perfection, advocating for a light-hearted and practical approach to learning English.

Takeaways

• 😀 Dr. Shashi Tharoor emphasizes the importance of accurate pronunciation and grammar in English, particularly in India.
• 😀 'Presently' is commonly misused in India to mean 'now,' but it actually means 'soon.' This is a global problem, not just an Indian one.
• 😀 The use of 'momentarily' in American English to mean 'in a moment' is also a similar misuse of language.
• 😀 'Importantly' is often used unnecessarily, as 'important' already functions as an adverb, making 'importantly' redundant.
• 😀 The word 'revert' is often misused in India when it should mean 'respond' or 'reply.' 'Revert' in its correct sense means to return to a previous state.
• 😀 Words like 'intimate' (to mean 'inform') are outdated Victorian English that have stuck around in India but are no longer used in the same way in British English.
• 😀 Dr. Tharoor addresses common pronunciation mistakes, including 'pronunciation' vs. 'pronounciation,' 'asthma' vs. 'asthma,' and 'plumber' vs. 'plumber.'
• 😀 The confusion between 'v' and 'w' sounds in Indian languages is widespread, as many Indian languages don't differentiate between these sounds.
• 😀 The concept of 'doublethink' and 'doublespeak' from George Orwell's *1984* is applied to current political discourse, where words like 'pacification' and 'friendly fire' are used to conceal harsh realities.
• 😀 Dr. Tharoor advocates for people to lighten up about English, encouraging them to use the language to communicate ideas and gain pleasure rather than memorizing dictionaries or fearing mistakes.

Q & A

What is Dr. Shashi Tharoor's pet peeve regarding English usage in India?

Dr. Tharoor's pet peeve is the frequent misuse of the word 'presently' to mean 'now,' when it actually means 'soon.' This is a global issue, not just limited to India.

Why does Dr. Tharoor advise against using 'importantly' in sentences?

He explains that 'importantly' is unnecessary because 'important' is already an adjective and doesn't require the adverbial 'ly' to convey the meaning.

What is the correct use of the word 'revert' in English, according to Dr. Tharoor?

Dr. Tharoor clarifies that 'revert' should be used to mean 'to return to a former state,' not as a synonym for 'respond,' which is a common misuse in India.

What does Dr. Tharoor say about the use of the phrase 'please intimate me'?

He points out that the phrase 'please intimate me' is outdated and comes from Victorian English, which is no longer in use in modern English, especially in the UK.

How does Dr. Tharoor explain the confusion between 'V' and 'W' sounds in Indian English?

He notes that many Indian languages don't differentiate between the 'V' and 'W' sounds, leading to common pronunciation errors. His advice is to 'bite your V's and kiss your W's' to pronounce them correctly.

What are some of the common pronunciation errors that Indians make, according to Dr. Tharoor?

Common pronunciation errors include saying 'pronounciation' instead of 'pronunciation,' 'asthma' as 'as-muh,' 'epitome' as 'epitomy,' and 'plumber' as 'plumber' instead of 'plumber.'

What does Dr. Tharoor think about the concept of 'post-truth'?

Dr. Tharoor criticizes 'post-truth' as essentially a lie, suggesting that it is a political maneuver to distort reality and manipulate public opinion.

How does Dr. Tharoor describe the concept of 'double-speak' in political discourse?

Dr. Tharoor explains that 'double-speak' involves saying one thing while meaning another. He provides examples like 'friendly fire' (for killing your own side) and 'collateral damage' (for civilian casualties).

What is the main lesson Dr. Tharoor wants people to take away from this discussion about English?

Dr. Tharoor emphasizes that English should be used as a tool for communication and self-expression, not for showing off or intimidating others. He encourages people to read more and learn naturally, rather than memorizing dictionaries.

What does Dr. Tharoor think about the global nature of language mistakes like the confusion between 'presently' and 'momentarily'?

Dr. Tharoor highlights that mistakes like using 'momentarily' to mean 'in a moment' are not exclusive to India but are a global issue, even seen in American English, where 'momentarily' is used incorrectly to mean 'soon.'