DNA TV Show: Will President's rule be imposed in Delhi?
Watch: Police try to destroy liquor bottles worth Rs 50 lakh, locals steal them, video goes viral
This state to get 3 new Vande Bharat express trains from Sept 15; check route and other details
Jacqueliene Fernandez resumes work with month-long shoot for Housefull 5 in London
'It’s an unfortunate...': Zeenat Aman says most designer outfits are 'unwearable'
Bollywood actress Anushka Ranjan sets up panel to support women battling sexual violence
Green Day, Shawn Mendes bring global star power to India as they headline Lollapalooza India 2025
RBI slaps Rs 10000000 penalty on India's largest bank for...
Jeff Bezos' fiancee Lauren Sanchez reveals surprising morning rule, says, 'Just us...'
Fast & Furious star Tyrese Gibson arrested in Georgia, details inside
Mukesh Ambani's Reliance ties up with Israeli company to launch....
Meet man, who cracked UPSC twice, has 20 degrees, resigned as IAS officer due to...
Auto giant gifts Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker this car, it costs Rs...
J&K terror funding case: Baramulla MP Engineer Rashid gets bail till October 2 due to…
Elon Musk takes billionaires to space: SpaceX launches mission for first-ever...
Meet man, who worked at Mukesh Ambani's company for 5 yrs, resigned to launch Rs 1091 crore...
AFG vs NZ: ‘Never coming back here’: Afghanistan slam Greater Noida stadium, here’s why
RG Kar ex-principal Sandip Ghosh sent to 14-day judicial custody till...
Selena Gomez says she can't have her own children: 'Medical issues would put...'
Meet Indian genius, son of IIT-JEE topper, who won gold at world’s toughest...
Manipur: Internet suspended in state for 5 days amid students' agitation
Haryana Polls: Who is Captain Yogesh Bairagi, BJP candidate fielded against Vinesh Phogat?
Apple iPhone 16 launched, netizens say, 'Same product, different....'
Migrating Banking Applications to the Cloud: Strategies and Best Practices
Sohail Khan reacts to dating rumours after being spotted with mystery girl: 'She is...'
No fee for these vehicles on national highways, check details inside
Duleep Trophy: Star batter replaces Rishabh Pant as BCCI announces updated squads for second round
Haryana Assembly polls: BJP releases second list of 21 candidates; check here
Uttarakhand landslide: 5 dead in Sonprayag, 3 injured, rescue operations underway
Kim Jong Un's North Korea to raise birth rate with this bizarre move, will punish...
Good news for Ayushmann Khurrana as he makes huge return from this company, it is…
Audi owned by Maharashtra BJP chief son smashes several cars in Nagpur, 2 injured
Drunk man fights with people on flight, enters cockpit, you won't believe what happened next
Borders fully secure; will not allow terrorists to disturb J-K Assembly polls: BSF
Watch: Mukesh Ambani visits new parents Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh after birth of baby girl
Arshad Nadeem left cricket for javelin throw due to this reason, his brother claims...
'Moment PM Modi said he speaks directly to God, we saw it as psychological collapse': Rahul Gandhi
Sohail Khan finds love again? Actor spotted with mystery girl post dinner date, watch viral video
This is India's shortest expressway, has 34 toll booths on 29 km road, it connects...
Meet woman who left Rs 1 crore job offer twice, built Rs 50 crore firm, she is now...
Darshan confesses to 'kicking' Renukaswamy twice on head, asking Pavithra Gowda to hit him with...
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari says this big carmaker ignored his advice on EVs, 'now they've…'
Revealed: Price of new Apple iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max in India
James Earl Jones, voice of Star Wars' Darth Vader, The Lion King's Mufasa, passes away at 93
At least 40 killed, dozens injured after Israeli strike on Gaza humanitarian zone
'My path to healing...': Princess of Wales Kate Middleton gives big update on cancer treatment
AIAPGET 2024: Counselling registration starts today, check details here
Meet man, India's richest beggar, who owns two flats in Mumbai, has net worth of...
Babar Azam to be sacked as captain again? Here’s what coaches Kirsten, Gillespie tell PCB
Sarfaraz Khan likely to be replaced by star batter in 1st Test vs Bangladesh due to…
Rahul Gandhi launches fresh attack on PM Modi in US, says, 'darr nahi lagta ab...'
Meet woman who moved to India after partition, built Rs 10031 crore company with Rs 20000, she is...
Apple launches new iPhone 16 with Apple Intelligence, A18 Bionic chip for Rs...
Apple launches new AirPods 4 with noise cancellation for Rs....
Apple Watch 10 series announced with larger screen, fasted charging; check details
Lifestyle
India, with its rich tapestry of languages, cultures, and histories, has left an indelible mark on the world. This influence extends far beyond its borders, permeating various aspects of global culture, including language.
From ancient times to the modern era, Indian languages have significantly impacted foreign languages, contributing words, phrases, and even linguistic structures that continue to shape communication across the globe.
Ancient Roots and Global Reach
India’s influence on foreign languages dates back to ancient times when Sanskrit, one of the oldest known languages, played a pivotal role in shaping many languages across Asia. Sanskrit’s rich literary tradition and philosophical texts were translated into various languages, including Tibetan, Chinese, and Japanese, spreading not only Indian thought but also Sanskritic linguistic elements. For instance, many words in Thai, Khmer, and Indonesian languages are derived from Sanskrit, often through the intermediary of Pali, another ancient Indian language.
Words like "raj" (meaning king or ruler),"mantra" (a sacred utterance), and "dharma" (moral duty or law) have traveled across Asia and into Western languages, bringing with them the rich philosophical and cultural connotations of Indian traditions.
The spread of Buddhism from India further facilitated the diffusion of Indian languages. As Buddhist monks traveled to different parts of Asia, they carried with them religious texts and practices, which were often translated into local languages. This led to the incorporation of numerous Sanskrit and Pali terms into the lexicons of these languages, enriching them with new concepts and vocabulary. Terms such as **"karma"** (the principle of cause and effect) and **"nirvana"** (a state of liberation or enlightenment) are now widely recognized and used in many languages worldwide.
Trade and Colonialism: A Linguistic Exchange
India's position as a major center of trade for centuries also contributed to the exchange of linguistic elements. The ancient trade routes between India and the Middle East, Africa, and Europe facilitated the exchange of goods, ideas, and languages. Indian spices, textiles, and other goods came with a lexicon of Indian words that became integrated into foreign languages.
For example:
- "Sugar"is derived from the Sanskrit word "śarkarā."
- "Ginger" comes from the Sanskrit "śṛṅgavera."
- The word "pepper" is believed to have roots in the Sanskrit word "pippali," which traveled through Greek and Latin into English.
The arrival of European colonial powers in India further expanded this linguistic exchange. Portuguese, Dutch, French, and British colonizers not only brought their languages to India but also borrowed extensively from Indian languages.
Some notable examples include:
- "Bungalow" (from Hindi "bangla," meaning a Bengali-style house)
- "Veranda" (from the Portuguese, which took it from the Bengali "baranda")
- "Curry" (from Tamil "kari," meaning a spiced sauce)
- "Pajamas" (from Hindi and Urdu "pājāma," meaning leg clothing)
- "Thug" (from Hindi "thag," meaning a conman or cheat)
- "Loot" (from Hindi "lut," meaning plunder)
- "Juggernaut" (from the Sanskrit "Jagannath," referring to the massive chariot of Lord Jagannath in Puri)
Modern Influence: The Digital Age and Beyond
In the modern era, the influence of Indian languages on foreign tongues continues, particularly through the global Indian diaspora and the rise of India as a technological and cultural powerhouse. Indian cuisine, yoga, Bollywood, and classical music have introduced numerous Hindi, Tamil, Punjabi, and other Indian language words into the global vocabulary.
Terms like:
- "Guru" (teacher or master)
- "Chai" (tea, from Hindi "chāy")
- "Masala" (a mixture of spices)
- "Avatar" (from Sanskrit "avatāra," meaning a divine incarnation)
These words have become part of everyday language in many parts of the world.
The digital revolution has also seen the proliferation of Indian-origin terms and phrases, especially in the field of technology and business. With a significant portion of the global IT workforce hailing from India, technical jargon, slang, and even conversational Hindi and Tamil phrases have made their way into the professional vernacular in multinational corporations.
The Cultural and Linguistic Renaissance
The global fascination with Indian spirituality, cuisine, and art has also revived interest in Indian languages. Yoga, for instance, has introduced Sanskrit terms like "asana," "pranayama," and "chakra" to millions of practitioners worldwide. Similarly, the global popularity of Indian cuisine has brought words like "tandoori," "biryani," and "dal" into the lexicons of countless languages.
Moreover, the translation of Indian literary works into foreign languages has further spread the linguistic richness of India. The works of Rabindranath Tagore, R.K. Narayan, and Arundhati Roy, among others, have been translated into multiple languages, bringing Indian narratives, idioms, and expressions to global audiences.
Conclusion
India's linguistic influence on foreign languages is a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and its historical role as a crossroads of civilizations. From ancient Sanskrit to modern Hindi, Tamil, and other regional languages, India’s linguistic contributions have left an indelible mark on the world. As globalization continues to bring cultures closer together, the influence of Indian languages is likely to grow, further enriching the global linguistic landscape.
This expanded article illustrates the profound and enduring influence of Indian languages on global communication, showcasing a wide array of Indian-origin words that have enriched languages worldwide.
Refer Indian Institute of Foreign languages to know more about European languages like German, French, Spanish and an Asian language Japanese.
(This article is part of DMCL Consumer Connect Initiative, a paid publication programme. DMCL claims no editorial involvement and assumes no responsibility, liability or claims for any errors or omissions in the content of the article. The DMCL Editorial team is not responsible for this content.)