Haroun by Salman Rushdie

Terms

Panjan Drums - a pompous self-important official or person of rank
Politico – seems to be a parody of Latin languages, most likely Italian
Pomfret – a type of fish
Glumfish – a made up word for a type of fish
Pussy-collar-jee – Psychology
Hoope birds - a colourful bird that is found across Afro-Eurasia, notable for its distinctive 'crown' of feathers
Terrifico - seems to be a parody of Latin languages, most likely Italian
Maynifique - seems to be a parody of Latin languages, most likely Italian
scrum - an abbreviated form of scrummage, rugby term, also a song by SLAYER
finito - seems to be a parody of Latin languages, most likely Italian
khattam-shad – silence, the end, its finished
kosh-mar – nightmare
kache – mer, place that hides the sea (myth)
buttoo – derived from the word butt, a silly word used as a name
Grandee - analogy to refer to other people of a somewhat comparable, exalted position, roughly synonymous with magnate, and in particular by analogy to a formal upper level of the nobility, such as peerage
gloompuss – another rather silly word of Rushdie’s creation
Roc – mythical bird of large size
super marvelloso - seems to be a parody of Latin languages, most likely Italian, super
Fantastick - seems to be a parody of Latin languages, most likely Italian
aubersines - Eggplant
Bulbul – type of bird
Mynah – type of bird
Kite – type of bird
hoopoe - a colourful bird that is found across Afro-Eurasia
presto - seems to be a parody of Latin languages, most likely Italian
chattergy – Play on the name chatterjee, member of the Indian communist party

Duty continued
puttees - a covering for the lower part of the leg from the ankle to the knee
actori - actor
neem trees - a tree in the mahogany family Meliaceae
Grass-cutter wife – wife of a man who cuts lawns for a living
madar chod – mother fucker
bahin chod – sister fucker
helter-skelter – British term for falling or moving without control

11/9/09

Honesty, as in the Day by Ven Begamudre

As far as Hinglish literature goes, this story seems to be more inclined to explain the various Hindi words it uses within the story. For example the characters Sharada, Vasanta, Iraue, and Nona are all described by the namesake and it is treated like a nickname. Iraue is a hard worker, and Vasanta is carefree. Much more clearly intended to be read by non-Indian readers than some other pieces.

List of terms
Grannyflat – outhouse
Appa – father
Cur – dog
Sharada – autumn
Vasanta – spring
Iraue – Ant
Nona – Fly
Lokh Sabha – Commons, government building
Rajya Sabba – Senate, government building
Sari – Traditional form of clothing for Indian women
Posh – British slang or expensive or fancy

In the novel Haroun and the Sea of Stories, Salman Rushdie has made use of Hinglish in a rather interesting way. Rather than use Hindi words conversationally as it were, he is using them for names, and as a result telling a little bit more about the character right off the bat. Very much so a way of making the writing more readable to an Indian reader.

List of names from Haroun and the Sea of Stories by Salman Rushdie
Abhinaya – Language of gesture used in Indian classical dance
Alifbay – Hindustani word for alphabet
Batcheat – chit-chat
Bat-Mat-Karo – Do-Not-Speak
Bezaban – Without a tongue
Bolna – to speak
Bolo – Imperative, speak!
Chup – quiet
Chupwala – quiet fellow
Gup – Gossip, nonsense, or fib
Kahani – sorry
Khamosh – silent
Khattam-Shud –completely finished, over and done with
Kitab – book
Mail – Gardener
Mudra – Anyone of the gestures used in Abhinaya

11/8/09
Interview in Stardust Magazine
This is interesting from a cultural standpoint. An interview with a minor celebrity actress and it is just as meaningless as a gossip mag in the US. I find it amazing, it is as if fluff is universal, or they took the Hollywood system that seriously. They even talked about her going from “glam” to “sexy”.

11/5/09
Article in stardust magazine
Once again the written English almost seems too good. The article is about a Bollywood film, and other then the film name (Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayence) and some names (Hogaya Haitujhkoto) the only non-standard English element was the world “spoilt”.

11/3/09
Hinglish wikipedia article
Some interesting facts, big one being that Hinglish speakers may soon out number the native speakers. Also an answer to if Salman Rushdie writes in Hinglish, he does. I hope when we are all out numbered India doesn’t talk down to the OED. That would be rude.