English Evolves to Fit Local Realities

When a language is adopted / in a specific region or community, / it is natural for it to undergo changes or modifications / as the local people utilize the language / to more accurately reflect their daily realities and cultural contexts.

Linguistic change takes place / across various aspects of language, / including grammar, pronunciation, vocabulary, and everyday expressions.

The change is particularly noticeable in vocabulary.

English vocabulary has been modified / and new expressions have been created / within the different varieties of English.

In Indian English, / the term "prepone" was coined / to mean "to reschedule" / as the opposite of "postpone."

For instance, / if a meeting scheduled for Thursday / is moved to Wednesday, / it is considered "preponed."

Hong Kong English speakers shout "add oil" / to show encouragement or support, / a direct translation from a Chinese expression, / which originally meant to inject more gasoline into an engine.

In the Philippines, / there are many houses with "dirty kitchens," / which are not actually "dirty" kitchens.

Instead, / they refer to kitchens outside the home, / where most of the cooking takes place / to avoid trapping heat and smell inside the house / in a hot climate.

This evolution allows language / to better match up with the everyday experiences / and cultural contexts / of the communities that utilize it.