IT is not unknown that many Hindi (Indian) words are in regular use by all sections of the population, describing foodstuffs, relationships and other items/subjects. It is regrettable, however, that some of these words are incorrectly spelt and pronounced, and it will be good of those who use them to be advised so that they can do the correct thing.

To this end I am submitting a short list of the most commonly used words, to begin with, and if there is enough interest I will submit another list.  So here goes:

EATABLES:
**BHAJI………Vegetable………Not Baji or Bahaji                                

** CHATNI……Sauce………..Not Chutney                                     

** CHOKHA…… mash made of boiled  or roasted vegetables……Not Choka

** DAL…… pulse (peas – split) when  boiled or seasoned…Not Dhal or Dholl                                                                                                                                          

–  (‘Dhal’ which seems to be a favourite means a slope or ramp;  Dal is the real thing. Some people refer to it as peas soup.)

** DALPURI………made from flour and  ground dal…….Not Dhalpuri

**MITHAI……A collective term for Indian sweetmeat:  individual not Mittai. For example, Lakhto, Pera, Laddu Gulabjamoon, Badamlatcha.     

** PHULAURI…made from pulse – split-peas.….Not pulowri              

** PURI……………made from flour – fried in ghee……Not purry

** ROTI…………..made from flour…………………….Not rooti

It may be interesting to observe that in both Trinidad and Jamaica where I visited on many occasions the citizens there do pronounce the words correctly.  And not only the Indians but the wider citizenry.

If enough interest is shown I will do a small paper setting out the Indian names of relations which describe very accurately the relationships, and not the ubiquitous ‘aunt’, ‘uncle’, ‘grandfather’, etc, etc.