Tuesday, April 29, 2008

English as she is speaking

I read today that India will overtake the US as the world's biggest English-speaking population in 2010. What will this mean? The answer came in the form of a pamphlet slipped in with my newspapers. its content is reproduced below:

"DOES ENGLISH SOUNDS IMPOSSIBLE TO YOU?? LET'S MAKE IT POSSIBLE!

Hi!

All the 10thees! It is my pleasure to announce that I'm coming back again to get you succeed like genius as we did in the past.
It is an opportunity for both you and me to play English, the language of words to make outstanding performance in your board examinations within the remedial period of just three months. Let's Learn, Practice and Achieve the success."


Anyone who needs help with their English would gain from avoiding this teacher but if you feel the need to "play English" with Madam Nancy then drop me a line and I'll send you her address.

x

Sunday, April 27, 2008

Indiaarrgh

Was out in Delhi last night witnessing something very different in the coming class of cosmocrats, that group of people who run the world and line the corridors of the WB, IMF, UN etc. Despite the dust and heat of an incoming summer, all seemed to think their move to India was the right one to make.

These 20somethings talked about the opportunities and the energy of the place in a way that surprised me. India it appeared to them was rich with chances to flex their intellectual and creative muscle in a way that the US etc never offered. Where I saw sloth, they saw pensive refection. Where I saw bland pastiche, they saw innovation.