Pinglish: Your Humble servant

Posted on July 11, 2008
Filed Under >Adil Najam, Humor, Pinglish
37 Comments
Total Views: 51443

Adil Najam
A friend sent these to me as examples of Pinglish. Supposedly, they are examples of actual language used in letters and applications of various types. Even if they are not real, they are funny.

A candidate’s application:
“This has reference to your advertisement calling for a ‘typist and an accountant–Male or Female’… As I am both for the past several years and I can handle both, I am applying for the post.”

An employee applied for leave as follows:
“Since I have to go to my village to sell my land along with my wife, please sanction me one-week leave.”

Student writing to headmaster:
“As I am studying in this school I am suffering from headache. I request you to leave me today.”

Student writing to teacher:
“I am suffering from fever, please declare holiday to the school.”

Letter to boss, requesting leave:
“As my Mother-in-law has expired and I am responsible for it, please grant me 10 days leave.”

Opening line in a letter to a friend:
“I am well here and hope you are also in the same well.”

———————–

Def. Pin-glish. For our purpose we will define Pinglish as a particualr variety of ‘Pakistani English’ which emerges when (a) English words are mixed with words of a Pakistani language (usually, but not solely, Urdu); or (b) an English sentence is constructed through the direct and exact translation of a thought in a Pakistani language and in the syntax of the latter, or vice versa; or (c) formal English is made even more uncomfortably formal by merging with the formality of Urdu idiom; or (d) Words in English and any Pakistani language are purposely and purposefully amalgamated for effect; or (e) any other way in which English is ‘Pakistanized’.

(Repost: Originally posted on June 22, 2006)

37 responses to “Pinglish: Your Humble servant”

  1. BelligerentPacifist says:

    Rafay Kashmiri sahib, first: you’re referring to grammar, i only commented on something even more elementary and simple; second: AN sahib is one of the people I look up to being a young scientist and its pains me to see my heros falter, even a tad.

  2. hello_world says:

    I remember reading these on several other websites and if i remember these were contributed to many Indian companies. for example check the following links.

    http://enagar.com/2005/09/15/112678719981265111/
    http://www.citehr.com/26682-leave-application-tooo o-funnny.html

    So you should also give proper credit to our respected neighbors :-)

  3. Ayaz K. says:

    Adil Najam,

    Upon reading the comments of other people on this site, it seems like you have to deal with myriads of disgruntled population :)

    People must understand that jokes are meant to make you smile not to alarm or appall.

  4. Ayaz K. says:

    Adil Najam,

    I like your light-hearted humor which keeps this site alive.

    Please don’t forget to mention “UNCERTAINTY” which is widely pronounced UNCERTANITY :)

    Also, I have noticed a common thing among the people of Pakistan, specially the people who speak some regional language : No pun intended — the strong tendency is seen among the people of Punjab, though they don’t get tired of supporting and promoting the Urdu language verbally and practically both, but the moment they find another Punjabi speaking person, regardless of who they are with, whether those other people understand Punjabi or not, they start talking to their Punjabi counterparts in Punjabi. The Urdu fever evaporates in no time.

    They become so forgetful and oblivious of the promotion and the survival of Urdu at that very moment. Pretty sure everyone has noticed it and getting a De Ja Vu feeling:)

    My request is for everyone — please be considerate with those who don’t understand your language– make a little sacrifice by abstaining to speak your regional language or even English –don’t speak English with those who don’t feel comfy with. Language is a tool of communication — just make a good and smart use of this tool — don’t use it as a shield or a weapon:) – Thanks for reading this.

  5. TAHIRA KHALID HUSSAIN says:

    In my opinion ,atleast they know english and if its bad ,with time they will improve.

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