Some stories are the same in any language.
"Aapki naam kya hai?" he asked, more making conversation than out of any real interest. She almost didn't realize he was speaking to her. The formal "aap" had never been used by anyone in her memory to address her. That anyone would do so now - and in these circumstances -- startled her.
"Anaamika" she replied.
Notes:
Anaamika: literally "nameless one", Anaamika is ironically a fairly common first name
Aapki naam kya hai?: "What is your name?"
A bit of detail is in order here to fully explain why Anamika was surprised by the wording of the lieutenant's question. The Hindi language employs three variations of the second person.
"aap": The most formal and nearly always used with elders and strangers older than the speaker. In theory it should be used to address anyone you don't know well but social convention allows exceptions to that rule when addressing someone of a lower status or age.
"tum": The familiar form used when addressing peers, friends, relatives (of one's own or younger generations at least).
"tu": reserved mainly for small children, and intimate relations. I like to say, if you wouldn't share a bed with this person, "tu" constructions are probably a bad idea because used in other contexts, this is considered insulting. Which is ironic since "tu" may also be used to properly address God.
That the lieutenant would use aap when addressing a woman, especially one who was probably younger than himself and almost certainly of a lower caste would have surprised her (and probably anyone else within earshot).
Previously
Chapter 1: Vandhe Mataram!
Chapter 2: Aag Lagi
Chapter 3: Aur Nahin
Chapter 4: Bannaa
Chapter 5: Inteqam
Chapter 6: Azaadi
Chapter 7: Vah Khallas Hai
Chapter 8: Ek Nai Shuruat
Chapter 9: Do Sal Paheli
Chapter 10: Yaadein (I)
Chapter 11: Yaadein (II)
Chapter 12: Yaadein (III)
Chapter 13: Paheli Baar
Chapter 14: Akelee
Chapter 15: Pinjraa
Chapter 16: Nishaan
Chapter 2: Aag Lagi
Chapter 3: Aur Nahin
Chapter 4: Bannaa
Chapter 5: Inteqam
Chapter 6: Azaadi
Chapter 7: Vah Khallas Hai
Chapter 8: Ek Nai Shuruat
Chapter 9: Do Sal Paheli
Chapter 10: Yaadein (I)
Chapter 11: Yaadein (II)
Chapter 12: Yaadein (III)
Chapter 13: Paheli Baar
Chapter 14: Akelee
Chapter 15: Pinjraa
Chapter 16: Nishaan
Chapter 17: Qismat
Chapter 18: Nafrat
Chapter 19: Dard
Chapter 20: Mutthee
Chapter 21: Apmaan
Chapter 22: Andheraa
Chapter 23: Indhan
Chapter 24: Das phere
Chapter 25: Golaa pooraa huaa
Chapter 26: Nikalnaa
Chapter 27: Raastaa
Chapter 28: Pahraa
Chapter 29: Chetaavnee
Chapter 30: Amritsar
Chapter 31: Bhaiaa Vaadaa
Chapter 18: Nafrat
Chapter 19: Dard
Chapter 20: Mutthee
Chapter 21: Apmaan
Chapter 22: Andheraa
Chapter 23: Indhan
Chapter 24: Das phere
Chapter 25: Golaa pooraa huaa
Chapter 26: Nikalnaa
Chapter 27: Raastaa
Chapter 28: Pahraa
Chapter 29: Chetaavnee
Chapter 30: Amritsar
Chapter 31: Bhaiaa Vaadaa
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13 comments:
thanks for the explanation. otherwise i'm not sure i wouldn't understood...
A 55 with a thesaurus/dictionary attached. I like that! AND!!! Appreciated the heck out of it too, that helped.
M 55 is posted. You'll need to scroll down below my bunny rabbits to find it.
HAPPY EASTER WEEKEND.
That was a great name to choose. She needs to remain incognito for some time...
...then...a name is just a Utilitarian necessity...
Thanks for the explanation. Is he playing tricks? I hope she's wary!
And the story within a story goes on. Thanks for explaining I'm not very good with English words yet alone Hindi.
My 55 is up.
Another Friday come and gone, for me
anyway. I'm glad she's not alone, is she safe...time will tell. Awesome that you included the Hindi translations for us. :))
Forgot to leave my link again...55
Maybe she looked 'Classy'...
Thanks for the annotation Mojo..
Also thanks for humoring me on my 55...Much obliged.
Have a very Happy Easter...G
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I knew a dragon once spoke Hini. Couldn't understand a word he said.
Enjoyed your 55.
Dragons need to learn too.
great installment, mojo. it's always good when you explain what things mean, because then i 'get it'. but my brain is so far cramped today i don't know if i'd even get 2+2 lol
55
I'm afraid to trust the lieutenant, but I can't help but like him.
WOW, you really are well-versed in Hindi.
I'm impressed!
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