Dear Editor,
I’ve appreciated seasoned traveller and acute Guyanese observer, Vishnu Bisram’s insights, reports, and letters. However, I am perplexed with his continued use of the word “Pundit”, rather than “Pandit”.
Here in India, the Indians, like the British and Americans, use the “u” even when the “a” sound is assumed. For example, there is a state by the name of Punjab. However, when it is pronounced, it is “Panjab”. Similarly, the number ten is spelled in English as “dus”; however, it is pronounced “das”. And it is the same for the spelling “chutney”; it is pronounced “chatney”.
In Guyana, it is quite hilarious to hear those in the media, as well as public functionaries pronounce “chutney”, when they mean “chatney”! Me like chatney wid me dal! Chotney? what’s dat?
I do believe the confusion arises because the words “pandit”, “Panjab”, and “chatney” do not show up in the regular paper and electronic dictionaries. When you type “pandit” in a software program, for example, it typically comes up as a red underlined (wrong spelling) word, with a suggested correct spelling of “pundit”.
For us to preserve our Guyanese-ness, and Caribbean-ness, it is essential that the Caribbean have its own version of its dictionary, as the Americans, and Canadians have.
Yours faithfully,
Devanand Bhagwan
India