Come June 10 and English is likely to get its one millionth word. The frontrunner is ‘Hinglish’ term ‘jai ho,’ with the two other Indian entries of ‘slumdog’ and ‘cuddies.’
“The million-word milestone brings to notice the coming of age of English as the first truly global language,” president and chief word analyst of Global Language Monitor Paul J J Payack said.
‘Jai ho,’ a song composed by A.R. Rahman, and ‘slumdog’ achieved popularity through the multiple Academy Award Winner film ‘Slumdog Millionaire.’
‘Slumdog’ refers to those living in Indian slums, while ‘cuddies’ is used to refer to ladies’ underwear.
“There are three major trends involving the English language today: an explosion in word creation with words being added to the English language at the rate of some 14.7 words a day; a geographic explosion in which some 1.53 billion people now speak English around the globe as a primary, auxiliary, or business language; and English has become, in fact, the first truly global language,” Mr. Payack said.
According to the Global Language Monitor, owing to the global extent of the English language, the millionth word is as likely to appear from India or China as it is to emerge from Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare’s home town. The other words in the reckoning are ‘alchopops’ (sugary-flavoured mixed drinks in Australia) and ‘chengguan’ (‘Chinglish’ term for urban management officers, a cross between mayors, sheriff, and city managers )
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