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English dialect

Indian English

The pluricentric variety of English used across India. Shaped by long contact with Hindi and other Indian languages, with its own pronunciation, grammar, and lexical norms.

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Frequently asked questions

What language is Indian English?

Indian English is a dialect of the English language.

Where is Indian English spoken?

Indian English is primarily spoken in India.

Which region is Indian English associated with?

Indian English is part of the South Asia region on DialectAtlas.

What are the other dialects of English?

English also includes Received Pronunciation, Geordie, Scottish English, Hiberno-English, General American, Southern American English, Canadian English, Australian English, Broad Australian, Cultivated Australian, Aboriginal Australian English, Singlish, African American Vernacular English, New York English, Eastern New England English, Appalachian English, Cajun English, Chicano English, Hawaiian Pidgin, Newfoundland English. Each variety has its own vocabulary, pronunciation, and cultural context.

Other English dialects

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Hawaiian Pidgin

Hawaii Creole English · Pidgin

An English-based creole that emerged on the plantations of Hawaiʻi in the late 19th century. Now native to a substantial share of the Hawaiʻi-born population, with influences from Hawaiian, Portuguese, Cantonese, and Japanese.

Nearby dialects

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Khariboli

0 km away

The variety spoken around Delhi and the western Doab. Forms the basis of Modern Standard Hindi and shares its core grammar with Standard Urdu.

Haryanvi

69 km away

The Western Hindi variety of Haryana and adjacent districts of Delhi. Distinct from Khariboli in vowels, perfective forms, and rural vocabulary.

Braj Bhasha

132 km away

The variety of the Braj region around Mathura and Vrindavan. A major literary medium of medieval Hindi devotional poetry, especially the bhakti tradition.

Doabi

341 km away

The Punjabi of the Doaba region between the Beas and Sutlej rivers. The variety with the largest Sikh diaspora footprint, especially in the United Kingdom and Canada.

Bundeli

377 km away

Spoken in the Bundelkhand region straddling Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, around Jhansi. Carries a strong oral epic tradition.

Majhi Punjabi

404 km away

The Majhi variety of central Punjab on both sides of the India-Pakistan border. The basis of the literary standard for both Gurmukhi-script Indian Punjabi and Shahmukhi-script Pakistani Punjabi.

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