Comments on: 12 Self-help tips for Indians to improve English language command

By: Winding Machine

Winding Machine — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 20:36:57 +0000

there are many different book genres online but i would really love to read about self help books ,”`

By: William Roberts

William Roberts — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 09:35:50 +0000

everyone likes to be able to do some Self-Help stuffs, it is a good idea to be able to help yourself with just about any proble~*”

By: Corey Chapman

Corey Chapman — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 04:34:27 +0000

i love to read self-help books on the internet. they can really improve your life.`:-

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 12:12:43 +0000

I’m back!

How much of improving American English also lies in taking the pains to go out and socialize with Americans? I realized recently, after talking with my desi friends who been here more than ten years, this is a big factor. Yes, they know English, but all their coworkers are desi, they lived only with desis (their family, as compared to being a college student with an American roommate), and most of their talking in English is with Desis or non-Americans (English speakers from other countries). Though it helps maintain speaking English, when interacting only with our own ethnic groups we don’t pick up local ways of talking- because it’s not generally required in our social circles. What do you think?

One thought on tip #1 – this sentence ““I know you are having a party without inviting me.”” As an American English speaker, I don’t think I’d say this. But this could be a personality issue. I don’t think I’d be bold enough to confront someone on this subject! However, if I was bold enough, it’d be to a close friend (hopefully I wouldn’t be snubbed!) then I’d say/ask this, “I heard from so-and-so you’re having a party. I was a little upset because I did not get an invitation.” I am more the indirect kind!

By: admin

admin — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 16:09:14 +0000

Thx Nikhil for for your comments..you are right..we do ‘triple and double’ quite a bit…

Thx Jennifer for sharing,…lol.. funny how we decode each other ..::)

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 15:01:51 +0000

Nikhil, Absolutely…
talking about phones, I was told a joke by a male Indian international student here. He told an American girl he’d give her a ‘ring later’ and she was shocked! Of course she thought he meant ‘give a ring’ as in wedding ring- not “phone call”!

I have linked back to this post on my monthly fave blog posts http://alaivani.com/Blog/tabid/56/EntryID/406/Default.aspx

By: nikhil Chopra

nikhil Chopra — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 20:22:41 +0000

Pretty good article ! Also the way we sometimes say our phone numbers and zip codes is not helpful. e.g 333-444 (triple three triple four)

By: admin

admin — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:49:26 +0000

Very thoughtful feedback Jennifer.
Thank you very much!
or sould I say,
SIMPLY great comment

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:30:23 +0000

This is very interesting. Thanks for sharing. As an American who lived in India a few years, I had to adjust to the Indian way then readjust when I came back. A few thoughts on your points…
For He only broke the glass.. yes taking out only works, but also for such sentences where ‘only’ would highlight the word in front of it, when speaking the sentence stress on he. HE broke the glass. This is rather than He broke the GLASS. Which highlights the glass.
About calling names, I often like to ask people what they want to be called. The boss situation can be tricky if that person is a PhD, they may want to be called Dr. so-and-so. And for calling friends moms or dads auntie or uncle, some Americans like it! Some don’t. It’s again best to ask what they like to be called. In some Southern cultures in America people call elders by Ms. Mrs. Or Mr. (First name).