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Meaning of babu English | Babel Free

Noun CEFR B2

Definitions

A variety of Indian English characterized by excessive formality, politeness, ornamentation, and an indirect manner of communication.

India, uncountable

Examples

“Despite the innocuous-sounding claim that the purpose of his article was ‘to provide a few notes on the characteristics of English used to-day by the educated Indian’ (Goffin 1934: 20), Goffin’s text is very much in the ‘Babu English’ tradition, that is, it derides the way in which Indians used English.”

CEFR level

B2
Upper Intermediate
This word is part of the CEFR B2 vocabulary — upper intermediate level.

See also

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