“Good morning madam!!” Students addressed to the teacher.
“Good morning students. You may 'sit- down' ” the teacher said.
We can “sit”, but “down”??? Isn’t it ironical? When the word “Sit” itself conveys to us that we may take the weight off our feet and take our seats, then why unnecessarily say “down”!!
“Madam, I have a doubt, can I ask?”a student asked.
“Yes definitely, 'Stand-up' and ask” the teacher replied.
We can “stand”, but “up”??? Isn’t it ironical again? When the word “stand” itself conveys to us that we should get to our feet and rise above the level of ground which is proportional to our heights, then why unnecessarily say “up”!!
So sit-down and stand-up would continue their ironical journey.... Till then, wait and watch before blogger comes out with more Ironies ;)
copyright aditi kochhar
Well you are right it is totally ironical,
ReplyDeleteBut actually this problem is only present in INDIA. This is basicly an indian language problem. People here speak the desi english. And this is the problem, for all this ironical talks.
Sit down and Stand up!! hmm...
ReplyDeleteWell I'd say thats the way these words are used in the English language. In this situation using only the word "stand" might suffice, but what about "Stand by, Stand out, Stand down, Stand over, Stand on" etc. (similarly for the word 'sit'). As I said in this particular situation using just one word might be okay but maybe the words 'up' and 'down' are used to differentiate from the other usages. English language wasn't developed with this situation in mind!!!
/*Readers mind that I am not an expert of the English language!*/
Frankly saying I don't find this situation to be very ironical!
@Akhilesh: No offence but there is nothing wrong with the usage "Stand up" or "Stand down", these words are well defined in any English dictionary.
And talking about "Desi English", many of us might not be knowing that "Indian English" is now considered as a dialect of the English language similar to American English, British English, Australian English etc. In many universities abroad Indian English is being taught as a separate subject.
Haha! This one's hilarious! The fact that it's too trivial to get noticed and kudos to the blogger, for her great observatory power!
ReplyDeleteIndeed, it's an irony, though coupled with some wrong usage of the language. And, as I see, there's some discord over the notion. Hmm...
Firstly, to go deep down in the matter, I did consult the dictionary (Cam-ford), thoroughly, to validate my belief.
Plainly saying, "Sit down", is incorrect. This sentence, in particular, must be in the informal/colloquial sense.
In formal conferences here in India and elsewhere (US/UK), it's said-
"Plz, have a seat..." "Take/grab a seat.." Or simply, "Please sit."
@Kuber: You're bit right mate. But... The prepositional suffixes (in, around, for) are used after "Sit", but not, "down".
As in, we have, "Sit-in, Sit-for etc.", but "Sit-down" has an incorrect usage.
"Sit-down" means, "dharna".. "Anshan".. Like a worker protest, where they sit-down in front of the factory gates.
Similarly, "Stand-up", is again, ironically wrong. We do have, "Stand-up for or Stand-up to" etc. But, the intended meaning of the teacher, who asked to stand, has been incorrectly conveyed.
Our upbringing has been such, that if we say, "Please sit..", there's a sense of in-completeness... And by saying, "Please sit-down", we feel, that now the sentence is complete!
This needs to be checked. We all commit it, unconsciously.. Why not say, "Please, have a seat."
Haha.. to pals, say, "Hey! Get your bum some rest!" lol
Indian English sure is a dialect,sourcing phrases form the Queen's and the American dialect.
But, there isn't any special distinction given to it.
Would like to hear, which foreign universities have thought of teaching it, departing from the Queen's English.
@Akhil: Hmmm... The fundamental problem lies at the very basic level-
We first think in our mother tongue, then translate it into English. All our lingo errors will vanish, if we start thinking and framing up our thoughts, directly in English.
Desi English!- It's just the Punjab-ization of the language. People in metros, in South and Manipur, speak great English.
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Whoa! Damn! Why my comments are too big to read?! :-D
Come on Aditi, India's the land of Ironies. Where both Bulls and BMWs share the same road!
All eyes and ears for you to bring out, some great observations!
Keep cruising!
@Bhavya: Try referring the following links.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.thefreedictionary.com/stand+up
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/sit+down
http://www.askoxford.com/concise_oed/stand?view=uk
These are a few link I consulted before writing my comment.
As of universities, I know for sure that University of Strasbourg, France teaches Indian English as a subject. I don't remember the name of the course but its a part of the course module.
@Kuber: Pray, as i said it earlier, the formal-informal usage is the differentiating factor. Like, there are helluva errors, that have got so much common in the informal usage, that if i tell you those, you'd say, "Cmn man! It's correct! Everyone speaks that.. It's in."
ReplyDeleteReaders will jump out of seats, if i tell that, Google, the titan of the Web, also commits an English language mistake, in Gtalk! And, we happily ignore it, as we too commit the same!
(Find it out! Clue: Chat with someone.)
So, "Sit down", informally is okay... But, one should try using alternatives in a formal environment.
Universities, don't have a special degree in Indian English, like an M.A. or so...
But, yes, they do have special papers, on the Modern Evolution of the English language, with great reference and examination of the Indian dialect and form. But, this is at a very high level, like a post post-grad.. What linguists do...
Hope my friend got it.! :-)
No comments..!!
ReplyDeletebut what bout "Write-down"...??? :-?
juss kiddin..!! :P