Aadhaar, dabba, hartal, shaadi among 26 new Indian English words added to Oxford Dictionary

Out of the 26 new words, 22 figure in the printed dictionary, while the other four are in the digital version.

BCCL
Some of other new Indian words in the dictionary are auntie (while aunty already figures in the English dictionary, auntie is an Indianism), bus stand, deemed university, FIR, non-veg, redressal, tempo, tube light, veg and videograph. (2015 file photo)
NEW DELHI: The latest edition of the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary features 26 new Indian English words, including Aadhaar, chawl, dabba, hartal and shaadi.

The 10th edition of the dictionary, which was launched on Friday, has 384 Indian English words and incorporates over 1,000 new words such as chatbot, fake news and microplastic.

The dictionary focuses on language change and its evolution through the years, and has ensured that the language and examples used in the new edition are relevant and up to date with the times, Oxford University Press (OUP) said.


The new edition comes with interactive online support through the Oxford Learner's Dictionaries website and an app. The website includes advanced features such as audio-video tutorials, video walkthroughs, self-study activities and enhanced iWriter and iSpeaker tools.

"This edition has 26 new Indian English words of which 22 figure in the printed dictionary. The other four are in the digital version," said Fathima Dada, Managing Director (Education Division) at OUP.

Some of other new Indian words in the dictionary are auntie (while aunty already figures in the English dictionary, auntie is an Indianism), bus stand, deemed university, FIR, non-veg, redressal, tempo, tube light, veg and videograph.
ADVERTISEMENT

The four new Indian English words in the online version of the dictionary are current (for electricity), looter, looting and upazila (one of the areas that a district is divided into for administration purposes).

According to OUP, the new edition provides better, more accurate and understandable definitions with examples, usage notes and additional resources to help the learner use the right word in the right context.

"Prevalence and common usage are the main criteria for enlisting new words. We scan the globe for words which are often used by people while speaking English. Then these words go through a rigorous testing process," Dada said.

"As OUP is the custodian of English language globally, these words have to go through its processes," she told PTI.
ADVERTISEMENT

The Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary, she said, has been reinventing itself for nearly eight decades, anticipating the growing learning requirements of learners.

"The 10th edition also is equipped with a strong digital support system, including an app," she said.
ADVERTISEMENT

It is equipped with several digital tools. With iSpeaker, learners can get help preparing for speaking exams and presentations. With iWriter, learners can plan, write and review their written work. Text Checker allows the teacher to check any text against the Oxford 3000, 5000, and OPAL (Oxford Phrasal Academic Lexicon) written word list.

Resources accessible through online premium access include lesson plans, worksheets, video walkthroughs, and classroom and self-study activities. With the OALD app one can find 86,000 words, 95,000 phrases, 112,000 meanings and 237,000 examples.

The dictionary, which spans 77 years, was originally published in Japan in 1942 and was first brought out by OUP in 1948. The learner's dictionary is based on the original values of its creator, Albert Sydney Hornby, whose aim was to help language learners worldwide understand the meaning of English words.

From Laugh-Cry To Climate Emergency: How Oxford's 'Words Of The Year' Define The Times We Live In
1/5

As 2019 draws to a close, Oxford Dictionary has released its word of the year. And fittingly, in a year dominated by crises relating to nature and its fury, the word of 2019 is ‘climate emergency’. The dictionary said, “Usage of the phrase ‘climate emergency’ increased steeply over the course of 2019, and by September, it was more than 100 times as common as it had been the previous year.” Which brings us to the next natural question: What was the corresponding trending word for the years gone by?

As 2019 draws to a close, Oxford Dictionary has released its word of the year. And fittingly, in a year dominated by crises relating to nature and its fury, the word of 2019 is ‘climate emergency’. T..
Read More
Toxic: Unlike this year’s very specific word, last year saw a more general ‘toxic’. The word saw a 45 per cent increase over the 12 months of 2018, in both literal and metaphorical contexts. And what contexts are these? “The top-10 usages of toxic were: chemical, masculinity, substance, gas, environment, relationship, culture, waste, algae and air,” the dictionary said.
Toxic: Unlike this year’s very specific word, last year saw a more general ‘toxic’. The word saw a 45 per cent increase over the 12 months of 2018, in both literal and metaphorical contexts. And what..
Read More
Youthquake: 2017’s winner wasn’t even a legitimate word. ‘Youthquake’, according to the dictionary, is defined as “significant cultural, political, or social change arising from the actions or influence of young people”. And if you thought youthquake was an odd choice, read the other three on the shortlist: Antifa, broflake and gorpcore. It was truly a great year for odd words.
Youthquake: 2017’s winner wasn’t even a legitimate word. ‘Youthquake’, according to the dictionary, is defined as “significant cultural, political, or social change arising from the actions or influe..
Read More
Post-truth: It was the year of Brexit, and of Donald Trump’s victory. And so, a word which had been in existence for the past decade, suddenly saw itself thrust into prominence. Post-truth was linked with a particular noun, ‘post-truth politics’.
Post-truth: It was the year of Brexit, and of Donald Trump’s victory. And so, a word which had been in existence for the past decade, suddenly saw itself thrust into prominence. Post-truth was linked..
Read More
While subsequent years saw legitimate words, 2015 saw an icon, an emoji. More specifically the ‘laugh-cry’ one, also known as the ‘face with tears of joy’ one. Why did the dictionary go for an emoji over other words though? 2015 was the year that saw a threetime rise in their usage over the previous year. And why this particular emoji? It alone comprised 20 per cent of all emojis in Britain.
While subsequent years saw legitimate words, 2015 saw an icon, an emoji. More specifically the ‘laugh-cry’ one, also known as the ‘face with tears of joy’ one. Why did the dictionary go for an emoji ..
Read More

Download
The Economic Times Business News App
for the Latest News in Business, Sensex, Stock Market Updates & More.
READ MORE
ADVERTISEMENT

READ MORE:

LOGIN & CLAIM

50 TIMESPOINTS

More from our Partners

Loading next story
Business News › Magazines › Panache › Aadhaar, dabba, hartal, shaadi among 26 new Indian English words added to Oxford Dictionary
Text Size:AAA
Success
This article has been saved

*

+