| Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020 | ![]() |
A question for your good selvesInterest forums / Speaking in Tongues | ||
We had an Indian IT technician in our office the other day, since it is time to throw away all of our 3-year old computer equipment and waste money on new stuff. He was making lists as he went through the offices and he asked me what my good name was. Why do Indians use this formulation? Do any other English speakers use it? | ||
Because Indian speakers of English generally use Indian English, of which this is an example. Why do Americans say "two weeks" instead of "a fortnight" or "quinze jours"?
I've only heard it from Indians. It may have been more widespread in the past. | 1 | |
I've heard it from (a few, not many) Malaysian speakers of English. | 2 | |
I was thinking that perhaps it is a translation from their own language. Then again, maybe not, since there are weird similar words in 'normal' English like gentleman. | 3 | |
Wikipedia on Indian English says
| 4 | |
Aha! Thought so. | 5 | |
So what's my good name? Hint: first/given name: Soylent, family name:Yellow | 6 | |
I guess that's also why they usually use the honourific "Mr" before one's given name | 7 | |