Bildar

/ˈbɪldɑr/ noun

Definition

A builder or someone who constructs buildings, particularly in Indian English or historical context.

Etymology

From Hindi 'bildār' or 'bildaur,' from English 'builder' adapted into Indian languages and then sometimes re-borrowed into English. Shows how colonialism and language exchange created new variant words.

Kelly Says

Words like 'bildar' show how English colonized and was colonized in return—British builders became 'bildars' in India, and the local term sometimes found its way back into English texts about colonial India.

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