The needful…
OK, we’ve got several folks working at Glasstech now from India and I just LOVE the way they communicate. My favorite phrase (and it’s consistent among all of them thus far) is “Please do the needful.”
For example:
Hi Grant
I have tried logging into Vault after restarting the computer, but the problem is still on.
Please do the needful.
I just think that’s a cool translation. Interesting how sometimes non-English speakers reveal things about our language more so than someone who has spoken English for 36+ years… “What needs to be done.” = “The needful.”
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Edit — There’s a whole Wikipedia page dedicated to this phrase. lol
1 comment January 17 2007 10:29 pm | Pepperguy | Grant
Did you know that the common language in India is English? Most of them speak hindi (sp?) also, but there are so many states, each with their own language. We had several Indian people in my masters program who could only communicate with each other in English!