9/25/2019 Toasted English: NBSE class 9 English chapter 5 notes

Toasted English
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Here are the answers of NBSE chapter 5 class 9 English Toasted English by R.K. Narayan. If you notice any
errors in the solutions given point them out in the comments. We will correct them as soon as possible.
Additional or extra questions from the chapter will be added later on.

RK Narayan with a British presenter in BBC o ce (Image Source: BBC)

I. Read and write

1.What does ‘toasted English’ refer to in American restaurants?

Answer: According to the author R.K. Narayan, ‘toasted English’ refers to English mu ns which, though being
made in America, now retain ‘English’ as a sort of concession to their origin.

2. What has happened as a result of the ‘toasting’ of English in America?

Answer: The result of ‘toasting’ of English in America has led to the abandonment of formalism surrounding the
use of the English language.

3. How have the Americans simpli ed the language? Give examples.

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9/25/2019 Toasted English: NBSE class 9 English chapter 5 notes

Answer: The Americans prefer using shorter sentences which are to the point, leaving no room for ambiguity.
Some examples of this are, instead of using passive voice on signboards, direct instructions are given like ‘Don’t
enter’, ‘Newly painted’, ‘Don’t walk’, ‘Go’, etc.

4. What does the author mean by ‘the American National Expression’? Why does he say so?

Answer: ‘The American National Expression’ refers to the word ‘check’ which is used with multiple meaning. It
can be used in di erent situations. Exaggerating the point, the author says that even if someone is ever hard up
for a noun or a verb he may safely utter the word ‘check’ and feel con dent that it will t in.

5. The author approves and disapproves of American English in certain senses. Give examples to elaborate.

Answer: The author approves simpli ed instructions that Americans use, especially for signboards in public
places and for motorists like the word ‘go’ as they can be easily followed without peering out and studying the
notice. He, however, disapproves the way the American English disrespects the rule of law and the dignity of
grammar when someone says something like ‘Wer U goin, man?’

6. How, according to the author, can the mongrelisation of English be prevented?

Answer: According to the author, the mongrelisation of English can be prevented by respecting the rule of law
and maintaining the dignity of grammar.

7. How does the author visualize Bharat English?

Answer: The author R.K. Narayan visualizes that Bharat English would respect the rule of law and maintain the
dignity of grammar. He said that the Bharat brand would have to come to the dusty street, to the market place,
under the banyan tree and have a swadeshi stamp about it unmistakably, like the Madras handloom check shirt
or the Tirupati doll.

ll. Think and Write

1.Humour is the quality of a literary or informative work that makes the character and/ or situations seem funny,
amusing, or ridiculous.
Do you appreciate the humour in this piece? Support your answer with examples.

Answer: Yes, I appreciate the humour in the essay. The author quite skillfully made his points clear to the readers
in an amusing narrative that would have been otherwise a completely opposite case. Several examples can be
cited to show the humour in the piece like Narayan referring to the American version of the English as ‘toasted’
English because though the Americans retained the English language after ousting the British, they modi ed it
over the time and made it their own. His exaggeration that one can safely say ‘check’ in any situation and believe
that it would t in is also a hilarious way of making the readers understand the wide use of the word to mean
di erent things at di erent situations.

2. Do you agree with Narayan that we need a ‘Bharat’ brand of English? Why?

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9/25/2019 Toasted English: NBSE class 9 English chapter 5 notes

Answer: Yes, I do think we need a Bharat brand of English because English in India so far English has a
comparatively con ned existence in the country-chie y in the halls of learning, justice or administration. Now
the time is ripe for it to come to the dusty street, to the market place, under the banyan tree. English must adopt
the complexion of our life and assimilate its idiom. Bharat English will respect the rule of law and maintain the
dignity of grammar, but still have a swadeshi stamp about it unmistakably.

3. Give examples of Indian words that have been incorporated into the English dictionary.

Answer: Some of the English words that have been incorporated into the English dictionary are dhoti, hartal,
guru, samosa, etc.

4. While using English for social or business communication, what skills should one master, according to you?

Answer: Not needed.

Click here for notes of other chapters of Alternative English of Class 10 (NBSE)

Ron'e Dutta
Ron’e Dutta is the Co-Founder and Editor of Online Free Notes. He is a journalist, a
blogger, a creative writer, and a teacher. He is currently writing his rst thriller novel
on time-travelling. Read the prologue of the novel here. Connect with him on social
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