4. Differences between Indian and American English

 Indians speak British English and there are many differences between British English and American English. Spellings of some words are different in British and American English. Sometimes, the spellings of the words may be the same but the words are pronounced differently. For example, 'schedule' is pronounced as 'skedule', 'route' is pronounced as 'raut', 'vitamin' is pronounced as 'vaitamin' etc. In this article, some of the differences between American and Indian English are listed so that you can get an idea of this difference.

 Table 1: Difference in American English and Indian English spelling of a few words

Indian English	American English	Indian English	American English
Cheque	Check	Labour	Labor
Centre	Center	Omelette	Omelet
Colour	Color	Programme	Program
Grey	Gray	Theatre	Theater
Jewellery	Jewelry	Travelling	Traveling

 

Table 2: Difference in some American English and Indian English idioms

Indian English	American English
A place to park	Driveway
A place to drive	Parkway
Anti clockwise	Counterclockwise
Black money	Tax free, undeclared income
Bunk school	Skip class
Convince someone	Talk someone into
Fainted	Passed out
Get down (from a bus)	Get off (of a bus)
Give the car some race	Speed up the car
How is everything?	How is it going?
How are you?	How are you doing?
I am angry at you	I am mad at you
Intimate	Inform
Issue a book (from the library)	Checkout a book (from the library)
Join duty	Report for work
Let's make a move	Let's go
Let's push off	Let's go
Passed out	Graduated
Push the accelerator	Step on the gas
Ring up (someone)	Call up (someone)
Sleep in the afternoon	Nap
Standing from a constituency	Running for an election
Straight-away	Right away
The line is engaged	It's busy / I got a busy tone
To appear in (give) a test	To take a test
To be out of station	To be out of town
To post (a letter)	To mail (a letter)
To submit	To turn in
Very Close Relations	Intimate Relations
Washing up machine	Dishwasher
Wash up	Do the dishes
Wash your hand	Wash up
To make out	To figure out

 

Table 3: Examples of Indian English and American English words conveying same meaning

Clothing
Indian English	American English
Half-pant	Shorts
Half sleeves	Short sleeves
Handbag	Purse/Pocketbook
Overcoat (light)	Topcoat
Overcoat (heavy)	Overcoat
Purse	Wallet
Sanitary towel	Sanitary napkin, pad
Sports shoes	Sneakers, Athletic shoes, Running shoes
Swim costume	Swim suit
Swim trunks	Swim suit
Trousers	Trousers, pants, slacks
Vest	Under shirt
Wind cheater	Wind breaker
Education
Indian English	American English
3rd standard	3rd grade
Canteen	Cafeteria
College	School
Higher Secondary School	High School
Marks	Grades
Mark sheet	Grade card
Primary school	Elementary school
Secondary School	Junior High School
Invigilator	Proctor
University	School
Food
Indian English	American English
Biscuit	Cookie if sweet
	Cracker if salty
Brinjal	Eggplant
Brown bread	Whole wheat bread
Bun	Biscuit
Garam masala	Curry
Groundnuts	Peanuts
Hotel	Restaurant - only for eating
	Hotel - for staying and/or eating
Milk powder	Cream
Nes-coffee	Instant coffee
Cold drink	Soda
Coriander	Cilantro
Curd	Yogurt
Finger chips	French fries
Lady fingers	Okra
(Potato) wafers	(Potato) chips
Soft drink	Soda
Soda	Club Soda
Tomato sauce	Ketchup (Tomato sauce is less sweet)
Shopping
Indian English	American English
Bill	Check
Dialled	Dialed
Dispensary	Drugstore, Pharmacy
Material (by yard)	Fabric
Provision store	Grocery store
Provision store man	Grocer
Vegetable store	Grocery store
Other
Indian English	American English
At weekends	On weekends
Autumn	Fall
Barrister	Trial lawyer
Bath	Shower (when you fill tub and sit to wash, it is bath)
Beggar	Panhandler
Bookstall	Newsstand
Bucket	Bucket or pail
Chewing Gum	Gum
Cell	Battery
Cinema	Movie theater
Clever	Smart or bright
Colony	Neighborhood
Creche	Daycare
Curriculum-vitae or Bio-data	Resume
Guest house	Motel
Gum	Glue
Goggles	Sunglasses
Inflammable	Flammable
Jug	Pitcher
Lift	Elevator
Ltd.	Inc.
Main city area	Downtown (most of the times), sometimes uptown
Mate	Friend (Mate is used only for spouse)
Mess	Dorm cafeteria
Mixee	Mixer
Multi-storey	High-rise, skyscraper
Perks	Perks, fringe benefits, benefits, employment benefits
Notepad	Notepad, Scratchpad
Pack of cards	Deck of cards
Past performance	Track record
Pin code, postal code	ZIP code
Point, Powerpoint	Outlet, Electrical outlet
Postbox	Mailbox for home/apartment
Race course	Race track, the track
Queue	Line
Restaurant bill	Restaurant check
$ 20 Note	$20 Bill
Rubber	Eraser
Snap	Picture
Current	Electricity
Current account	Checking account
Deposit account	Savings account
District or Taluk	County
Dustbin	Trash can
Earth wire	Ground wire
Flat	Apartment
Ex-serviceman	Veteran
Football	Soccer
Hoarding	Billboard
Hotel	Restaurant
Gang	Mob
Garage	Garage, shop, or service station
Garbage	Trash
Garden	Yard
Give test	Take test
Goods	Freight
Goods wagon	Freight car, Container
Gramophone	Phonograph, Turntable, Record player
Photograph	Picture
Picture	Movie
Plot of land	Lot
Policeman	Policeman, cop, police officer
Nappies	Diapers
Nice	Nice, Cool
Operation theatre	Operating room
Tap	Faucet
Talkies	Movie theater

 (Compiled by Maneesh Mahlawat. Author can be contacted at mahlawat@nav-prerna-school.com)