What is the meaning and pronunciation of "lingua franca"?
(P. V. Srinivasan, Chennai)
The first syllable "ling" is like the "sing" in "single", and "singular"; the final "a" in the two words is like the "a" in "china". The "u" sounds like the "w" in "water", "wet", and "well". The first syllable of "franca" sounds like the word "frank". The main stress is on the first syllable of "franca".
When south Indians who don't know Hindi travel to the northern states, what language do they use in order to communicate with the people there? If they are educated, they might use English. In this case, English becomes the common language between two groups of people whose mother tongue is different. English becomes the "lingua franca".
A "lingua franca" is the language that is used for the purpose of communication between people who live in an area where several languages are spoken. Here are a few examples.
*For many educated Indians, English has become the lingua franca.
*I was informed by my friend that Swahili is the principal lingua franca in East Africa.
*When the four of them get together, Gujarati becomes the lingua franca.
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On a tombstone: "I TOLD YOU I WAS SICK." — Anonymous
S. Upendran
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