13 SEPTEMBER 1902, Page 14

OUR STRANGE LANGUAGE.

(TO TUE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR:1

Sra,—The pronunciation by early Anglo-Indians of the long Hindustani " a " like " aw " was probably learnt from the Persians or Persian-speaking natives of India with whom they came into contact. A Persian says " Nawaub," "Punjaub," 'kabaub," where a Hindustani would say "Nawab," "Punjab," and regards the latter mode of pronouncing the long