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Mr. Tom Posted 17 years ago
Vocabulary

English alternatives for the words "wala" "chapati" and "paratha"

Hi

I would like to know the English alternatives for the following Indian/Pakistani words. I am aware that they have become the permanent part of the English language, but what were their original names?

1) Wala: taxi wala, ice-candy wala, ice-cream wala, shop wala

2) Chapati

3) Paratha.

Here are a few links for wala:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=taxi+wala

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=ice+candy+wala

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=book+wala

A link for chapati:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=chapati

A link for paratha:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=paratha
  

Top answer

wala can be translated as "vendor" or "seller", and "driver" for taxi wala (taxi driver) Chapati and parathas are usually the same for English-speakers. One alternative could be "flatbread".

— Lakshwadeep

  • wala can be translated as "vendor" or "seller", and "driver" for taxi wala (taxi driver) Chapati and parathas are usually the same for English-speakers.
  • One alternative could be "flatbread".
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5 Answers
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wala can be translated as "vendor" or "seller", and "driver" for taxi wala (taxi driver)

Chapati and parathas are usually the same for English-speakers. One alternative could be "flatbread".
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Yes, that's just what I was about to say.

I would add, though, that Americans are not familiar with the term "ice-candy." It seems to be similar to a sno-cone http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snow_cone or slush
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Many thanks...

So am I to understand that wala is a common term for native speakers now??

Tom
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It depends what you mean by common... :-)

The punkawala in BBC sitcom "It Ain't Half Hot Mum" is certainly familiair to Brits of my generation!

"Wala" is a word that would be understandable by many, especially in the context of one of those compund forms for jobs, even a made up one like DVD-wala. But it would only be used either when talking about activities in the Indian subc
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