Today, English is a Global Language. It was originally the language of England but now half of the population of the world speaks English. It is an official language of many countries. It is also taught as the second language in Pakistan, India, South Africa and Sri Lanka.
The wide spread presence of English can be attributed to the fact that Britain had colonies all over the world. Consequently, the use of English is widespread, in legal and governmental systems, economic practices, military, educational systems, sports (such as cricket, rugby and football) in these colonies.
Winters are approaching in the northern hemisphere, and we all long to wrap a cashmere wool shawl around ourselves, drink ginger tea, binge on kebabs with chutney, soak ourselves in the sun sitting in front of our bungalow, with our feet on a coir mattress.
Wondering how the above paragraph fits in?
The words that have been italicized are Indian words used in the English language. Looking at the relationship between Indian languages and English, it comes as a surprise as well as a pleasure that English has freely borrowed words from the other. Indian words are so much a part and parcel of English that it is difficult to realize that the origin of these words is from a different language.
The beauty of English lies not only its being global but dynamic. By dynamic is meant its ability to receive the best from other languages and yet retain its unique features. The language is alive, growing and adding new words to its already colossal vocabulary. Out of many, some of the languages that have contributed to the English language are Indian. Indian and Indo-English words are steadily finding a place in the Oxford Dictionary. More than 700 Indian words have earned a place in the vocabulary of its colonizers.
English has borrowed words from multiple Indian Languages, namely: Tamil (an ancient Dravidian language), Sanskrit (language of the saints), Arabic, Gujarati, and Malayalam.
Below are listed some of the Indian words which have become a part of the English Language over a period of time. Many of the words have become such a part of English language that their Indian origin is easily forgotten. Some of the words like Adda, Bandh and Pundit have found a place in the English language as such. Some words like Bandana, Palaquin and Bunglow are a modified version.
A list of some words follows:
Adda, Aloo, Aryan, Badmash, Bandana, Bandh, Bangle, Basmati, Bazaar, Bhagwan, Bhajan, Bhakti, Bhelpuri, Bhindi, Bhuna, Bindaas, Bindi, Bungalow, Cashmere, Catamaran, Chakra, Chamcha, Cheetah, Chintz, Chit, Chutney, Coir, Coolie, Cummerbund, Curry, Dharma, Desi, Dhaba, Dhoti , Dicky, Dingy, Dungaree, Ghee, Ginger, Gunny, Guru, Gymkhana, Hawala, Indigo, Izzat, Jati, Jodhpurs, Juggernaut, Jute, Kamasutra, Kebab, Kedegree, Khaki, Loot, Mandala, Mango, Mongoose, Musk, Nirvana, Pajama, Palaquin, Pariah, Parishad, Polo, Pundit, Purdah, Sari, Sati, Shabash, Sutra, Swastika, Tamasha, Teak, Videshi, Yoga
Pl. Note The article is dealing with words from the Indian sub continent in general and is not limiting itself to any particular language or dialect. a list of these words along with their Indian meanings is available for download at:Indian Words in The English Language