Abhishek Avtans अभिषेक अवतंस
@avtansa.bsky.social
Lecturer (Indic language/s), Leiden University (Netherlands), KHS (Agra), JNU (Delhi), Hindi, Urdu, Linguistics, Lit, भाषा, भाषाविज्ञान, साहित्य 🇮🇳 🇳🇱 ✍️🚲
https://avtans.com/2022/06/26/words-in/
https://avtans.com/2022/06/26/words-in/
I read this book "No full stops in India" by Mark Tully (1935-2026) when I was in my bachelor studies. Loved his style of writing! RIP 🙏
[Sir William Mark Tully (24 October 1935 – 25 January 2026) was a British journalist and the bureau chief of the BBC in New Delhi.]
[Sir William Mark Tully (24 October 1935 – 25 January 2026) was a British journalist and the bureau chief of the BBC in New Delhi.]
January 26, 2026 at 2:08 PM
I read this book "No full stops in India" by Mark Tully (1935-2026) when I was in my bachelor studies. Loved his style of writing! RIP 🙏
[Sir William Mark Tully (24 October 1935 – 25 January 2026) was a British journalist and the bureau chief of the BBC in New Delhi.]
[Sir William Mark Tully (24 October 1935 – 25 January 2026) was a British journalist and the bureau chief of the BBC in New Delhi.]
Deeply saddened to hear of the demise of Prof. Pramod Pandey, a towering figure in Indian linguistics and former Professor at JNU. Soft-spoken, kind-hearted, and ever willing to help, he was my go-to mentor for advice. A true gentleman. Om Shanti🙏🙏.
January 20, 2026 at 1:32 PM
Deeply saddened to hear of the demise of Prof. Pramod Pandey, a towering figure in Indian linguistics and former Professor at JNU. Soft-spoken, kind-hearted, and ever willing to help, he was my go-to mentor for advice. A true gentleman. Om Shanti🙏🙏.
Fresh:
I wrote this piece where I try to untangle all the knots around the pronunciations of ज्ञ /ಜ್ಞ / জ্ঞ / જ્ઞ / jña in Indian languages. Comments awaited!
wp.me/pSoc-2jF
I wrote this piece where I try to untangle all the knots around the pronunciations of ज्ञ /ಜ್ಞ / জ্ঞ / જ્ઞ / jña in Indian languages. Comments awaited!
wp.me/pSoc-2jF
ज्ञ jña in Indian langauges
The story of ज्ञ jñā in Indian languages
wp.me
January 19, 2026 at 10:36 PM
Fresh:
I wrote this piece where I try to untangle all the knots around the pronunciations of ज्ञ /ಜ್ಞ / জ্ঞ / જ્ઞ / jña in Indian languages. Comments awaited!
wp.me/pSoc-2jF
I wrote this piece where I try to untangle all the knots around the pronunciations of ज्ञ /ಜ್ಞ / জ্ঞ / જ્ઞ / jña in Indian languages. Comments awaited!
wp.me/pSoc-2jF
Happy new year. Read this Hindi poem by Priti Shri (1941)
January 1, 2026 at 7:52 AM
Happy new year. Read this Hindi poem by Priti Shri (1941)
Saddened by the passing of former professor of Hindi language Dr. Mohan Gautam (1937 – 2025), who left us in August 2025🙏📿🌺. A distinguished scholar and beloved educator at Leiden University. Dr. Gautam made profound contributions to the study of Hindi language and diaspora studies.
December 11, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Saddened by the passing of former professor of Hindi language Dr. Mohan Gautam (1937 – 2025), who left us in August 2025🙏📿🌺. A distinguished scholar and beloved educator at Leiden University. Dr. Gautam made profound contributions to the study of Hindi language and diaspora studies.
Saddened to hear of the passing of the legendary Surinamese-Indian linguist, author, farmer, musician, & polymath Mr. Moti Marhé (1943 – 5 Dec 2025). He touched the hearts of all who met him with his kind & friendly nature. He welcomed people into his home & into his heart.🙏🕉️1/3
December 11, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Saddened to hear of the passing of the legendary Surinamese-Indian linguist, author, farmer, musician, & polymath Mr. Moti Marhé (1943 – 5 Dec 2025). He touched the hearts of all who met him with his kind & friendly nature. He welcomed people into his home & into his heart.🙏🕉️1/3
Reposted by Abhishek Avtans अभिषेक अवतंस
"Caste identity is made audible even in routine daily interactions. Language also acts as a marker of social aspiration and mobility," Abhishek Avtans अभिषेक अवतंस writes about #caste and #language in #Southasia
https://www.himalmag.com/politics/language-caste-india-hindi-tamil-kannada
https://www.himalmag.com/politics/language-caste-india-hindi-tamil-kannada
How caste pervades Southasian languages
How caste pervades Southasian languages
www.himalmag.com
December 5, 2025 at 4:15 AM
"Caste identity is made audible even in routine daily interactions. Language also acts as a marker of social aspiration and mobility," Abhishek Avtans अभिषेक अवतंस writes about #caste and #language in #Southasia
https://www.himalmag.com/politics/language-caste-india-hindi-tamil-kannada
https://www.himalmag.com/politics/language-caste-india-hindi-tamil-kannada
Cyclone named "Ditwah" ravaging the island nation of Sri Lanka is a Soqotri language word. Soqotri is a southern Semitic language spoken by the Soqotri people on the Socotra archipelago by more than 111,000 speakers. In Soqotri, Ditwah (di-ṭaḥḥ) means 'shore' NOT lagoon.
December 2, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Cyclone named "Ditwah" ravaging the island nation of Sri Lanka is a Soqotri language word. Soqotri is a southern Semitic language spoken by the Soqotri people on the Socotra archipelago by more than 111,000 speakers. In Soqotri, Ditwah (di-ṭaḥḥ) means 'shore' NOT lagoon.
सोवियत संघ soviyat sangh (Soviet Union).
Soviet совет is a Russian equivalent of what we have in Hindi panchayat पंचायत pañcāyat (a village council).
Soviet совет is a Russian equivalent of what we have in Hindi panchayat पंचायत pañcāyat (a village council).
December 2, 2025 at 2:20 PM
सोवियत संघ soviyat sangh (Soviet Union).
Soviet совет is a Russian equivalent of what we have in Hindi panchayat पंचायत pañcāyat (a village council).
Soviet совет is a Russian equivalent of what we have in Hindi panchayat पंचायत pañcāyat (a village council).
तुषार tuṣār (frost, snow, ice)
A Kumaoni idiom: तुषारै की कड़कड़ घामा औण तक। झुठै की कड़कड़ सांचा औण तक। The frost crackles until the sun comes, and the lie crackles until the truth is revealed.
A Kumaoni idiom: तुषारै की कड़कड़ घामा औण तक। झुठै की कड़कड़ सांचा औण तक। The frost crackles until the sun comes, and the lie crackles until the truth is revealed.
December 2, 2025 at 2:17 PM
तुषार tuṣār (frost, snow, ice)
A Kumaoni idiom: तुषारै की कड़कड़ घामा औण तक। झुठै की कड़कड़ सांचा औण तक। The frost crackles until the sun comes, and the lie crackles until the truth is revealed.
A Kumaoni idiom: तुषारै की कड़कड़ घामा औण तक। झुठै की कड़कड़ सांचा औण तक। The frost crackles until the sun comes, and the lie crackles until the truth is revealed.
Why you will never marry!
(Source: Lone Fox Dancing - an autobiography, Ruskin Bond, 2017)
(Source: Lone Fox Dancing - an autobiography, Ruskin Bond, 2017)
December 2, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Why you will never marry!
(Source: Lone Fox Dancing - an autobiography, Ruskin Bond, 2017)
(Source: Lone Fox Dancing - an autobiography, Ruskin Bond, 2017)
Herbertpur derives its name from Lieutenant-General Sir Herbert Taylor Macpherson (1827–1886), a decorated British military officer of Scottish descent, who later became Commander-in-Chief of the Madras Army.
avtans.com/2025/12/02/h...
avtans.com/2025/12/02/h...
Herbertpur
A small town in history
avtans.com
December 2, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Herbertpur derives its name from Lieutenant-General Sir Herbert Taylor Macpherson (1827–1886), a decorated British military officer of Scottish descent, who later became Commander-in-Chief of the Madras Army.
avtans.com/2025/12/02/h...
avtans.com/2025/12/02/h...
Cool solidarity
In 2004, American sociolinguist Scott Kiesling proposed the concept of "cool Solidarity". According to which, "dude" in American English helped young men navigate social pressures by expressing "cool solidarity", a non-intimate form of affiliation or connection.
In 2004, American sociolinguist Scott Kiesling proposed the concept of "cool Solidarity". According to which, "dude" in American English helped young men navigate social pressures by expressing "cool solidarity", a non-intimate form of affiliation or connection.
November 30, 2025 at 9:45 AM
Cool solidarity
In 2004, American sociolinguist Scott Kiesling proposed the concept of "cool Solidarity". According to which, "dude" in American English helped young men navigate social pressures by expressing "cool solidarity", a non-intimate form of affiliation or connection.
In 2004, American sociolinguist Scott Kiesling proposed the concept of "cool Solidarity". According to which, "dude" in American English helped young men navigate social pressures by expressing "cool solidarity", a non-intimate form of affiliation or connection.
I grew up noticing differences in languages depending on one's caste (or community), but prescriptivists often brushed them aside as aberrant speech. Here is what I’ve written about the state of these linguistic differences in India and beyond.
www.himalmag.com/politics/lan...
www.himalmag.com/politics/lan...
November 25, 2025 at 3:32 PM
I grew up noticing differences in languages depending on one's caste (or community), but prescriptivists often brushed them aside as aberrant speech. Here is what I’ve written about the state of these linguistic differences in India and beyond.
www.himalmag.com/politics/lan...
www.himalmag.com/politics/lan...
While watching the series 1883, I realized how short is our collective memory. In those times, there was the epidemic of smallpox, which is called चेचक, शीतला & बड़ी माता chēchak śītlā & baṛī mātā in Hindi. It was a deadly disease devastating many families and communties.
October 30, 2025 at 10:54 AM
While watching the series 1883, I realized how short is our collective memory. In those times, there was the epidemic of smallpox, which is called चेचक, शीतला & बड़ी माता chēchak śītlā & baṛī mātā in Hindi. It was a deadly disease devastating many families and communties.
Tāq /tāk ताक़/ताक
Hindi has preserved this Arabic origin word in a common idiom niyamon ko tāk pe rakhnā नियमों को ताक पर रखना (to disregard the rules). So something kept on tāk is kind of left unattended or ignored.
Hindi has preserved this Arabic origin word in a common idiom niyamon ko tāk pe rakhnā नियमों को ताक पर रखना (to disregard the rules). So something kept on tāk is kind of left unattended or ignored.
October 26, 2025 at 6:58 AM
Tāq /tāk ताक़/ताक
Hindi has preserved this Arabic origin word in a common idiom niyamon ko tāk pe rakhnā नियमों को ताक पर रखना (to disregard the rules). So something kept on tāk is kind of left unattended or ignored.
Hindi has preserved this Arabic origin word in a common idiom niyamon ko tāk pe rakhnā नियमों को ताक पर रखना (to disregard the rules). So something kept on tāk is kind of left unattended or ignored.
Pālthī पालथी aka tailor pose
Did you know that pālthī पालथी i.e. sitting cross-legged on one's thighs is called the “tailor’s pose” in 🇬🇧 English and other European languages (as in Dutch 🇳🇱 kleermakerszit)?
Did you know that pālthī पालथी i.e. sitting cross-legged on one's thighs is called the “tailor’s pose” in 🇬🇧 English and other European languages (as in Dutch 🇳🇱 kleermakerszit)?
October 23, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Pālthī पालथी aka tailor pose
Did you know that pālthī पालथी i.e. sitting cross-legged on one's thighs is called the “tailor’s pose” in 🇬🇧 English and other European languages (as in Dutch 🇳🇱 kleermakerszit)?
Did you know that pālthī पालथी i.e. sitting cross-legged on one's thighs is called the “tailor’s pose” in 🇬🇧 English and other European languages (as in Dutch 🇳🇱 kleermakerszit)?
Nobel prize winners in literature by languages! What do you think?
#nobelprize
#nobelprize
October 10, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Nobel prize winners in literature by languages! What do you think?
#nobelprize
#nobelprize
The Milk Tea Alliance is a term used for pro-democracy networks of people from countries such as Thailand, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Myanmar against authoritarianism and Chinese state influence. It takes its name from the shared practice of drinking tea ☕ with milk in these countries.
October 9, 2025 at 10:54 AM
The Milk Tea Alliance is a term used for pro-democracy networks of people from countries such as Thailand, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Myanmar against authoritarianism and Chinese state influence. It takes its name from the shared practice of drinking tea ☕ with milk in these countries.
From वेताल की प्रेमिका (Indrajāl comics) in 1988.
October 7, 2025 at 3:20 PM
From वेताल की प्रेमिका (Indrajāl comics) in 1988.
Worcestershire sauce
It's a folk etymology that the recipe for Worcestershire sauce was brought by an ex-governor of Bengal, India. This lore was created by the company Lea & Perrins to exoticize their product in 19th-century Britain. The said governor, Marcus Sandys, had never set foot in India.
It's a folk etymology that the recipe for Worcestershire sauce was brought by an ex-governor of Bengal, India. This lore was created by the company Lea & Perrins to exoticize their product in 19th-century Britain. The said governor, Marcus Sandys, had never set foot in India.
October 6, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Worcestershire sauce
It's a folk etymology that the recipe for Worcestershire sauce was brought by an ex-governor of Bengal, India. This lore was created by the company Lea & Perrins to exoticize their product in 19th-century Britain. The said governor, Marcus Sandys, had never set foot in India.
It's a folk etymology that the recipe for Worcestershire sauce was brought by an ex-governor of Bengal, India. This lore was created by the company Lea & Perrins to exoticize their product in 19th-century Britain. The said governor, Marcus Sandys, had never set foot in India.
Is it विजयादशमी vijayādashamī or विजयदशमी vijayadashamī?
Vijayā विजया is a feminine noun in Sanskrit. In Hindu religious discourse, the 10th day of the bright half of Āśvina is called विजया vijayā. Vijayā is also the epithet of Goddess Durgā. [1]
Vijayā विजया is a feminine noun in Sanskrit. In Hindu religious discourse, the 10th day of the bright half of Āśvina is called विजया vijayā. Vijayā is also the epithet of Goddess Durgā. [1]
October 5, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Is it विजयादशमी vijayādashamī or विजयदशमी vijayadashamī?
Vijayā विजया is a feminine noun in Sanskrit. In Hindu religious discourse, the 10th day of the bright half of Āśvina is called विजया vijayā. Vijayā is also the epithet of Goddess Durgā. [1]
Vijayā विजया is a feminine noun in Sanskrit. In Hindu religious discourse, the 10th day of the bright half of Āśvina is called विजया vijayā. Vijayā is also the epithet of Goddess Durgā. [1]
Interesting find!
The Oral History of Tibetan Studies (OHTS) is a project that collects and archives the personal accounts and memories of individuals who contributed to Tibetan Studies as an academic discipline in the late 20th century.
oralhistory.iats.info/interviews/
The Oral History of Tibetan Studies (OHTS) is a project that collects and archives the personal accounts and memories of individuals who contributed to Tibetan Studies as an academic discipline in the late 20th century.
oralhistory.iats.info/interviews/
Interviews
oralhistory.iats.info
October 2, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Interesting find!
The Oral History of Tibetan Studies (OHTS) is a project that collects and archives the personal accounts and memories of individuals who contributed to Tibetan Studies as an academic discipline in the late 20th century.
oralhistory.iats.info/interviews/
The Oral History of Tibetan Studies (OHTS) is a project that collects and archives the personal accounts and memories of individuals who contributed to Tibetan Studies as an academic discipline in the late 20th century.
oralhistory.iats.info/interviews/
Here's to your good future🙌
विजयादशमी की शुभकामनाएँ (vijayādśamī kī śubhakāmanāẽ) - Happy Dussehra!!
In northern India, seeing Neelkanth bird, fish, curd, & silver coins upon opening the eyes on the Dussehra morning, is considered auspicious and good omens. 1/3
विजयादशमी की शुभकामनाएँ (vijayādśamī kī śubhakāmanāẽ) - Happy Dussehra!!
In northern India, seeing Neelkanth bird, fish, curd, & silver coins upon opening the eyes on the Dussehra morning, is considered auspicious and good omens. 1/3
October 2, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Here's to your good future🙌
विजयादशमी की शुभकामनाएँ (vijayādśamī kī śubhakāmanāẽ) - Happy Dussehra!!
In northern India, seeing Neelkanth bird, fish, curd, & silver coins upon opening the eyes on the Dussehra morning, is considered auspicious and good omens. 1/3
विजयादशमी की शुभकामनाएँ (vijayādśamī kī śubhakāmanāẽ) - Happy Dussehra!!
In northern India, seeing Neelkanth bird, fish, curd, & silver coins upon opening the eyes on the Dussehra morning, is considered auspicious and good omens. 1/3
विजयादशमी की शुभकामनाएँ। आज पढ़िए विजयादशमी (दशहरा) पर यह लेख जिसमें बताया गया है कि भारत के विभिन्न प्रांतों में यह त्यौहार कैसे मनाया जाता है।
wp.me/pSoc-2eh
wp.me/pSoc-2eh
दशहरे का त्यौहार: भारत की सांस्कृतिक एकता
भारत के विभिन्न राज्यों में विजयादशमी कैसे मनाई जाती है?
wp.me
October 2, 2025 at 9:11 AM
विजयादशमी की शुभकामनाएँ। आज पढ़िए विजयादशमी (दशहरा) पर यह लेख जिसमें बताया गया है कि भारत के विभिन्न प्रांतों में यह त्यौहार कैसे मनाया जाता है।
wp.me/pSoc-2eh
wp.me/pSoc-2eh