Understanding the Differences in the English Language between India and the U.S.

Let’s look at the following lines of the English language. Can you guess which lines are in Indian English and which are in U.S. English?

• He is taking a shower.
• Can you move the meeting up to 5 pm?
• Please do the needful to improve this presentation.
• I will call you after some time.

Now, perhaps you are confused and wondering if all these sentences are written in English, then how to differentiate? Well, they might look similar but are, in fact, poles apart in linguistic classification.

Let’s take the line, “He is taking a shower.” This line is a typical example of U.S. English in which the word “taking” is used. In Indian English, this line wouldn’t mean much, and the correct version would be “He is having a shower.”

Similarly, the line “I will call you after some time” is a common phrase in Indian English. However, it will be considered vague in U.S. English, and they will prefer, “I will call you later.”

These subtle nuances are what embody the diverse culture of the English language. The language, although spread worldwide, has differences that can be recognized by a professional translation company.

Certain certified English translation companies are necessary to convert official documents from English (US) to English (IN). These conversions are vital to comply with the local laws and linguistic nuances of Indian English-speaking regions.

Linguistic Differences in the English Language

Pronunciation

This is one of the most noticeable differences between these versions of the English language. While phonetic rules are the same in both classifications, regional accents, dialects, and cultural influences change the pronunciation of various words.

• In Indian English, the pronunciation of some words is influenced by other majorly spoken Indian languages, like Hindi and Tamil. Indians prefer to emphasize each syllable, making pronunciations more direct and formal. For instance, the pronunciation of the word vegetable in Indian English would be vee-gee-ta-bal.
• American English stresses the timing of the pronunciations. Native speakers shorten some syllables while speaking to make conversation faster and more informal. For instance, “schedule” in English (US) would be sked-jool, while in English (IN), it would be shed-yool.

Vocabulary

Over the years, the English spoken in India has created a unique vocabulary. Some of these words that differ in grammatical constraints are:

• Prepone: The English (IN) word refers to doing something at an earlier time. However, in the U.S., there is no such word, and they use postpone instead.
• Cousin: This is a gender-specific word. While English (IN) generally attributes a gender to this, like cousin sister or cousin brother, the U.S. version is gender neutral.
• Tap: Tap is a specific word used in Indian English. In the U.S., the equivalent word used is faucet.

Grammar Differences

Though Indian English uses the standard grammar rules, some regional influences have affected some sentence structures and verbs.

English (IN) heavily uses the present continuous tense in conversations, whereas English (US) uses the simple present tense. For example, “I am knowing him for years” would be written as “I know him” in American English.

Spelling Differences

In translations, spelling differences can cause unnecessary hurdles. It is the most common source of confusion between Indian and American English. As Indians are influenced by British English, many words are spelled differently.

Indian English follows the British Oxford spelling rules, meaning words are spelled with a prefix of “-ise” rather than “-ize”. So, realize, an American English word, becomes realise in Indian English.

Do you want to learn some tips on mastering English translations? If so, check out this blog: Mastering the Art of English Translations: Key Tips for Success!

How to Choose the Right Translation Agency?

Considering the above difference, it is essential to partner with a professional translation company while translating into the English language. Somya Translators, a certified English translation company, is adept at providing accurate translations into both Indian and American English.

Some essential documents that we translate are:

• Certificates
• Visa Applications
• Bank Statements
• Legal Contracts
• Merger Agreements
• Non-Disclosure Agreements
• Wills
• Witness Testimonies

So, if you are in need of professional linguistic support in English, then do reach out to us and explore how our diverse services can help you satisfy your needs.