The book is a tongue-in-cheek look at how Indian English can amuse or even confuse. It presents a collect ion of 100+ classic ‘Indianisms’, each written in a way that makes it fun to read. The book delves into how each Indianism might have come to be, all the while helping the reader understand the grammatically correct way to say it.
📚 Spicing Up English: A Fun and Relatable Take on Indian English.
It is a delightful collection of humorous stories that showcase the quirky, entertaining ways Indians have embraced and added their own flavor to the English language. Just like we spice up our noodles, we’ve sprinkled our unique touch on English—and this book is a hilarious reflection of that.
From the very start, the book pulls you in with its witty take on how what’s considered "correct" English in India may not exactly be correct. Each story highlights the everyday phrases we’ve all heard, like "once more" or "miss call," and turns them into moments of comedy and learning.
Sandeep Nulkar’s wordplay is brilliant throughout. The humor is spot on, but what really impressed me was how effortlessly the book teaches correct English while keeping things light-hearted. I couldn’t put it down once I started reading, and every page had something that made me chuckle or say, “I’ve heard that!”
The beauty of the book lies in its ability to make language lessons fun. While the humor is great, the book also sneaks in valuable lessons on idioms, phrases, and correct usage, all without feeling like a lecture. For instance, the stories involving “Once more” and “Miss Call” were some of my favorites—they were hilarious and incredibly relatable.
The title and cover perfectly match the book’s playful tone, and by the end of each story, you truly feel the author has done justice to the theme. If you’re looking for a book that not only entertains but also teaches you a thing or two about language, it is the perfect read. You’ll laugh, learn, and maybe even start to appreciate the amusing quirks of Indian English a little more.
⏩ What's the one thing you find funny in our "Indian English" ?
🕺 Mind it by Sandeep Nulkar is a collection of witty and funny language that is called English and Mind it, i am talking about English in India.
🕺 I love the cover it's humorous and attractive enough for the curious eyes !
🕺 As an Indian, we all are aware of how much we love to add our own taste in different things 🕺Be it on Meggie samosa 🕺Be it on indo western style 🕺Be it on oreo pakoras 🕺Be it on the Pdf version of every book and the list is long !!!!!
🕺 But the most basic mix we have done for years is adding our own English into the original English.
🕺 This book is one of the most witty and sarcastic books I have ever read.
🕺 It also amused me that despite us knowing that the kind of english we are speaking about is not technically and grammatically correct we never bother to correct ourselves !
🕺 This book revolves around how people around India invent their own English and make it something new.
🕺 A slap in the face was I guess most relatable chapter of this book because in my childhood I knew this phrase very well and I am yet to understand how a tight slap is going to make everything right ? it's weird and funny.
🕺 What's in the name ? - the common sentence used but it's logically incorrect as everything is in the name !
🕺 The fact that all these things sounds very weird, amusing and sarcastic to you, you will still going to use it.
🕺 Also the fact that this book was one type of English teaching lessons to me at some point.
🕺 The writing made it more funnier and engaging to me !
🕺 Overall, a different kind of read that you will enjoy.
Mind It: A Tongue-in-Cheek Look at How Indian English Can Amuse and Even Confuse is definitely a treat by Sandeep Nulkar, a quirk-a-minute romp through what defines Indian English. From its whimsical cover art, which grabs the attention and ropes in the readers, to more than a hundred of those 'Indianisms,' this journey proves both fun and educational. . Nulkar makes such linguistic oddities entertaining and insightful. From "miss call" morphing into "Ms call", or how asking for "side" is misconstrued as changing lanes, it brings together such common errors like the wrong spelling of "Housefull" and use of non-existent words such as "Parallely", with grammatically correct alternatives explained in an easy-to-understand manner. . The book charm lies in making one smile as she reflectively goes back to her uses of language. Taking one through anecdotes by Nulkar himself, about how even he was taken aback at the extent of these Indianisms, it becomes relatable and interesting. . Yet, though this is a practical guide to better language skills, its insistent nativism can seem just a trifle off-timed. Indian English has evolved its own dialect; the belief that we should modulate our speech according to whom we are speaking does feel a little stifling. . Overall, *Mind It* is a pleasurable and edifying read, suitable for anybody looking to polish his or her grammar while celebrating the linguistic creativity that defines Indian English. .
"Mind It!" by Sandeep Nulkar is a delightful chronicle of the unique Indian flavour that has been added to the English language, a language Indians have embraced and transformed into something distinctly their own. Engaging, witty, and thoughtful, the book demonstrates the charming Indianism we all recognize, use and love: "We are like this only!"
This tongue-in-cheek exploration of Indian English promises to amuse and sometimes even confuse its readers. With over 100 classic 'Indianisms' meticulously collected, each entry is presented in a way that is both entertaining and educational. The book delves into the origins of these Indianisms, offering insights into how they might have come to be while also helping readers understand the grammatically correct alternatives.
In a society that thrives on neologism and linguistic creativity, "Mind It!" is incredibly relevant. Indians have a knack for coining new words and phrases when they don't know or can't think of the right ones, often influenced by their mother tongues and a playful disregard for strict grammar rules. This book highlights this linguistic phenomenon, reflecting both the rich diversity and the quirks of Indian English.
Summary of Book : Structured in engaging, bite sized sections, Mind It! delves into various facets of Indian English. Nulkar reveals the creative uses of terms like “revert” and “prepone,” as well as phrases like “passing out” instead of graduating. One chapter explores how the concept of light and electricity is treated as moveable objects in Indian languages, illustrating how this linguistic habit influences English expressions. With witty commentary and playful examples, the book showcases how English has been adapted to fit the Indian context, making it both educational and entertaining.
What I Like : I was charmed by the book’s relatability and humor. Nulkar’s conversational style felt like a friendly chat about our unique language quirks, bringing a smile to my face with each page. Mind It! is not just a fun read but also a subtle celebration of the rich diversity within Indian English, offering a refreshing break from more serious literature.
Book Recommended To : This book is ideal for language enthusiasts, students, educators, and anyone intrigued by the quirks of Indian English. Perfect for those who appreciate a good laugh while learning about the evolution of English in India, Mind It! promises plenty of insight and amusement.
"Mind It" by Sandeep Nulkar is a practical yet entertaining guidebook that helps you correct your grammatical mistakes. This book stands out for its lighthearted and engaging writing style, filled with interesting stories that make learning grammar fun.
One of the book's highlights is its exploration of "Indianisms" – terms and phrases we often use incorrectly. As I read it, I realized how much we tend to mispronounce and misuse words, thinking we're correct. The author's anecdotes about how people have mispronounced his name were particularly more amusing and relatable.
The clarity and focus of the book are commendable. Author has done a fantastic job of making the things easy to understand. It's an excellent book to gift, even to those who aren't avid readers. I found myself enjoying it more than I expected, and it’s a perfect choice for anyone looking to improve their language skills.
Overall, "Mind It" is a must-read for anyone aiming to polish their grammar. Dive into it, and you’ll find yourself both entertained and enlightened.
-A different flavour of English- Review of 'Mind It' by Sandeep Nulkar
It is amusing how Indians have adapted everything , right from cuisines to languages into our own desi style. Whether it's 'Indian Chinese' Or English language, you can find a while lot of Indianized things on display in India.
Mind It chornicles this desi English and the English terms that are exclusive to Indians. Ranging from phrases like One tight slap to a call girl, it presents dozens of such phrases and a hilarious commentary around it.
Mr Tharoor calls the book engaging, witty and thoughtful. It is indeed all three of those. It is thoughtful because author doesn't only present the wrong phrases, he also shows us the correct usage of that phrase.
Wow, this book is nothing short of humour, relativeness and knowledge. The way the author has shared his knowledge with the readers is something that makes me wanna keep on reading. As an Indian, I got to know a lot on how I have been speaking incorrectly and here he is explaining the most basic concepts in the simplest way without ever making you feel dumb. If you wanna have fun and especially see english as a language through an Indian view, this would make your heart smile;) Thoroughly enjoyed every chapter of the book! I would relate and laugh almost in every chapter.
This was a fun and fast read and I was gobsmacked by how many Indianisms even I was not aware of.
What irked me though was the tone of the author - in stressing on how we should always adhere to the kind of English spoken by a native, he lost me. It was giving subtle internalised racism.
Indian English is a dialect of its own now and no, I will not "adjust" it based on whom I'm talking to. Do Americans change spelling when they travel to Britain? Do they suddenly start referring to gas as petrol when confronted with a Brit? Why are Indians expected to do it then?