6. Mind your language

For successful conversation, in the US , it is advisable that you speak slowly and pronounce properly. Well, the first part you really need to practice otherwise what you will hear from the person opposite is "pardon me", "come again", "I am sorry", "I didn't get you". e.g. The changes in pronunciation are like 'schedule' pronounced as 'skedule', 'route' pronounced 'raut' etc. Also some words are totally substituted like 'petrol' by 'gas'. Here is a table from Gary Nobel of HP SanDiego, which he created when he traveled in India . Thanks to him. The dictionary is very remarkable.

The following is a simple dictionary for translating between American

English and Indian English. This dictionary should be useful for the newcomer to either the U.S. or India . The words are in no particular order.

INDIAN ENGLISH	AMERICAN ENGLISH
Food Related
Coriander	Cilantro
Cold drink	Soda pop
Curd	Yogurt
Cafe ("kayf")	Cafe ("kaf-ay'")
Nes-coffee	Instant coffee
Filter coffee	Brewed coffee
Milk powder	Cream
French beans	Snow peas
Hotel	Restaurant
Jelly	Gelatin
Garam masalla	Curry
Lady fingers	Okra
Small pastries	Lady fingers
Toffee	Hard candy
Brinjal	Eggplant
Biscuit	Cookies/ Wafers
Bun	Biscuit
(Potato) Wafers	(Potato) chips
Finger chips	French fries
Groundnuts	Peanuts

INDIAN ENGLISH	AMERICAN ENGLISH
Education Related
Public school	Private school (tuition charged)
Private school	Public school (free)
School	High school
College	School
University	School
High school	School/Junior High
Take a class	Teach a class
Be a student	Take a class
2nd standard	2nd grade
High marks	Good grades
Invigilator	Proctor
Canteen	Cafeteria
Clothes
Windcheater	Windbreaker
Vest	Undershirt
Waistcoat	Vest
Half-pant	Shorts
Purse	Wallet
Swim trunks	Swim suit
Swim costume	Swim suit
Transportation Related
Traffic signal	Traffic light
Boot, dikky	Trunk of a car
Bonnet	Hood of a car
Petrol pump	Gas station
Petrol	Gas
Diesel	Fuel
Pavement	Sidewalk
Footpath	Sidewalk
Zebra Crossing	Crosswalk
Take a lift	Get a ride
Motorcycle	Motorbike
Cycle	Bike
Other
Football	Soccer
American football	(rugby?) Football
Solid	Substantial
Ltd.	Inc.
Transistor	Radio
Two-in-One	Boom box
Goggles	Sunglasses
Cooling glass	Sunglasses
Toilet	Restroom
Guest house	Motel
Current	Electricity
$20 Note	$20 Bill
Cell	Battery
Torch	Flashlight
Rubber	Eraser
Snap	Picture
Photograph	Picture
Mixee (?sp)	Mixer
Dustbin	Trash can
Beggar	Panhandler
IBM-Compatible	IBM-Clone
Inflammable	Flammable
Mess	Dorm cafeteria
Hotel	Restaurant
Restaurant bill	Restaurant check
Picture	Movie
Talkies	Movies
Lift	Elevator
To fix	To install
To repair	To fix
Pram	Stroller
Idioms
To post (a letter)	To mail (a letter)
To submit	To turn in
To be out of station	To be out of town
A place to park	Driveway
A place to drive	Parkway
Straight-away	Right away
Anticlockwise	Counterclockwise
Bunk school	Skip class
Passed out	Graduated
Fainted	Passed out
Ring up (someone)	Call up (someone)
The line is engaged	It's busy / I got a busy tone
Push the accelerator	Step on the gas
Give the car some race	Speed up the car
Get down (from a bus)	Get off (of a bus)
Let's push off	Let's go
Let's make a move	Let's go
Convince someone	Talk someone into
Black money	Tax free, undeclared income
Standing from a constituency	Running for an election
Issue a book (from the library)	Checkout a book (from the library)
How are you?	How are you doing?
How is everything?	How is it going?
Intimate	Inform
(Very Close Relations)	(Intimate Relations)
Too good	Cool

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