On Tue, Nov 24, 2009 at 10:04 AM, Deepa Mohan <mohande...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Tue, Nov 24, 2009 at 11:28 PM, Thaths <tha...@gmail.com> wrote:
>> So.... why is Indian English so hyper floral?
> Advertising copy is hyper floral anywhere!
There is some truth in that. However, such gaudy prose is not just
restricted to advertising copy. I have also seen many be-jeweled
business documents and newsletters in my short professional life in
India. And these were equally prevalent in small local businesses and
large multi-national corporations.
> But we love to dress up
> everything with jewellery...we have an inbuilt love for intricate
> ornamentation. (now THAT was a good example.)
I do love hyper loquaciousness (sp?) in principle (c.f., Wodehouse,
P.G.). However, these particular ones are somehow archaic, chintzy and
even awkward.
> We feel that the kernel, with all that dressing, will become a coconut....
Perhaps all this florid prose is just husk good for being stuffed into
mattresses?
> I have some friends who specificaly ask me to write such flowery copy for
> their brochures. The last time I refused, some copywriter produced such
> ludicrous gems, that I don't say no any more!
Obviously the florid prose must bring in the "boanee". Why, I wonder.
Is there something in the Indian consumer psyche that equates florid
prose with quality? Or culture?
Thaths
--
Homer: Look at these low, low prices on famous brand-name electronics!
Bart: Don't be a sap, Dad. These are just crappy knockoffs.
Homer: Pfft. I know a genuine Panaphonics when I see it. And look, there's
a Magnetbox and Sorny.
