# It's Gandhi, Gandhi, Gandhi, Gandhi, GANDHI!!! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 11, 2007, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-gandhi-gandhi-gandhi-gandhi-gandhi/387607 "2007-01-11T20:58:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2007, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-gandhi-gandhi-gandhi-gandhi-gandhi/387607/81 "2007-01-12T15:11:35Z")
[QUOTE=Giraffe] The OP is 100% right. Anyone who misspells Gandhi deserves to be tea-bagged while they sleep. [/QUOTE] Or have a pit bull set on them. ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2007, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-gandhi-gandhi-gandhi-gandhi-gandhi/387607/82 "2007-01-12T15:47:49Z")
So, why don’t they celebrate Halloween in India? ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2007, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-gandhi-gandhi-gandhi-gandhi-gandhi/387607/83 "2007-01-12T16:06:52Z")
[QUOTE=BMalion] So, why don’t they celebrate Halloween in India? [/QUOTE] They do. They call it “Alloweehn.” ---
**Author:** ![Dervorin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Dervorin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dervorin)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2007, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-gandhi-gandhi-gandhi-gandhi-gandhi/387607/84 "2007-01-12T16:09:04Z")
[QUOTE=Anaamika] Actually, I don’t entirely disagree with you. “Ghandi” in Hindi would indeed be spelled with a different letter, it would be “GH” instead of a plain old “G”. [/QUOTE] Surely “Ghandi” would be घाडी (I’ve left out the n sound because I couldn’t find the character), which is nothing like the original name - Gandhi is far closer, and preserves the stress. I don’t think transliteration is just a free-for-all; the point is to get as close as possible. Thank you OP for pitting something that routinely annoys me. Not enough to make a fresh pitting, you understand; but enough to participate whole-heartedly in an existing one. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2007, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-gandhi-gandhi-gandhi-gandhi-gandhi/387607/85 "2007-01-12T18:23:17Z")
[QUOTE=Dervorin] Surely “Ghandi” would be घाडी (I’ve left out the n sound because I couldn’t find the character), which is nothing like the original name - Gandhi is far closer, and preserves the stress. I don’t think transliteration is just a free-for-all; the point is to get as close as possible. Thank you OP for pitting something that routinely annoys me. Not enough to make a fresh pitting, you understand; but enough to participate whole-heartedly in an existing one. [/QUOTE] Oh well, OK. If it annoys you. I’m just saying when transliterated it hardly makes a difference. The OP is not complaining about how it looks in the Devanagri font but how it looks in English, and while it’s wrong, I just can’t get that worked up about it. I am impressed that you got the Devanagri font to display. Stupid Citrix shell. _kicks computer_ ---
**Author:** ![Necros](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/necros/32/11086_2.png) [@Necros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Necros)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2007, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-gandhi-gandhi-gandhi-gandhi-gandhi/387607/86 "2007-01-12T19:22:06Z")
[QUOTE=elucidator] _Seppuku_ seems the only possible course. [/QUOTE] That’s 切腹 to you, buddy! ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2007, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-gandhi-gandhi-gandhi-gandhi-gandhi/387607/87 "2007-01-12T19:35:32Z")
I’ve gotten considerable feedback on that, ranging from the supportive to the wildly enthusiastic. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2007, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-gandhi-gandhi-gandhi-gandhi-gandhi/387607/88 "2007-01-12T19:59:51Z")
I’m so excited by the OP’s enthusiasm for Ghandi that it makes me want to masterbate. ::D&R:: ---
**Author:** ![Dervorin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Dervorin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dervorin)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2007, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-gandhi-gandhi-gandhi-gandhi-gandhi/387607/89 "2007-01-12T20:03:21Z")
[QUOTE=RTFirefly] I’m so excited by the OP’s enthusiasm for Ghandi that it makes me want to masterbate. ::D&R:: [/QUOTE] Ha! Don’t get me started. On spellings, that is. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2007, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-gandhi-gandhi-gandhi-gandhi-gandhi/387607/90 "2007-01-12T20:24:10Z")
[QUOTE=elucidator] Which points out our woeful lack of a “Huh? Wha?” smilie. [/QUOTE] 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2007, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-gandhi-gandhi-gandhi-gandhi-gandhi/387607/91 "2007-01-12T20:25:34Z")
[QUOTE=Captain Carrot] Since Gandhi’s name was originally not written using the Roman alphabet, there are different ways to transliterate it. [/QUOTE] Yeah, and “Ghandi” is not one of them. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2007, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-gandhi-gandhi-gandhi-gandhi-gandhi/387607/92 "2007-01-12T20:28:07Z")
[QUOTE=ArchiveGuy] \*though props to **acsenray** for correcting two of those individuals listed above [/QUOTE] Hey! I thinks that’s my first shout out! 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Ponder\_Stibbons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponder_stibbons/32/343_2.png) [@Ponder\_Stibbons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponder_Stibbons)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2007, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-gandhi-gandhi-gandhi-gandhi-gandhi/387607/93 "2007-01-12T22:03:20Z")
[QUOTE=Shirley Ujest] I thought it was the Dolly Llama [/QUOTE] What, [this](http://www.amazon.com/Douglas-Cuddle-Toys-1507-Plush/dp/B000BVZG6G/sr=8-1/qid=1168639302/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/105-8361393-3318849?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games)? ---
**Author:** ![OneCentStamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/13edae/32.png) [@OneCentStamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneCentStamp)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2007, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-gandhi-gandhi-gandhi-gandhi-gandhi/387607/94 "2007-01-12T22:12:19Z")
[QUOTE=Mayo Speaks!] The name of the band is actually “Dhuran Dhuran.” [/QUOTE] Yes, but did you know that the band name was taken from the villain in the 70s cheese flick **Bharbarhella** , starring Jane Fondha? ---
**Author:** ![jimmmy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/73ab20/32.png) [@jimmmy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jimmmy)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2007, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-gandhi-gandhi-gandhi-gandhi-gandhi/387607/95 "2007-01-12T22:12:49Z")
I don’t mind being called on it – first pitting ever but it is right as far as these things go: the purpose of writing a post is to communicate something and obviously any point you would try to make **Archive guy** about/using the Mahatma would be lost without using the accepted spelling. So sorry about that my bad. Worse that I think I led **tomndeb** into sin (but hey he’s a big boy, right?) \*\*Captain Carrot & Price guy and Anamike \*\*make valids point though. What we are trying to do is put his name in his oppressors language and really it should be spelled something like: [Gone-Dy](http://wsu.edu/~brians/errors/Ghandi.html) . (I would never speak for all but “some”) Indians actually write it [Gandhiji](http://www.freeindia.org/biographies/freedomfighters/gandhiji/index.htm) Gandhiji, ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2007, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-gandhi-gandhi-gandhi-gandhi-gandhi/387607/96 "2007-01-12T22:15:15Z")
[QUOTE=jimmmy] (I would never speak for all but “some”) Indians actually write it [Gandhiji](http://www.freeindia.org/biographies/freedomfighters/gandhiji/index.htm) Gandhiji, [/QUOTE] That’s actually a term of endearment, I think, not an alternate spelling. ---
**Author:** ![Dervorin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Dervorin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dervorin)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2007, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-gandhi-gandhi-gandhi-gandhi-gandhi/387607/97 "2007-01-13T02:37:25Z")
[QUOTE=Marley23] That’s actually a term of endearment, I think, not an alternate spelling. [/QUOTE] Term of respect, actually. ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2007, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-gandhi-gandhi-gandhi-gandhi-gandhi/387607/98 "2007-01-17T20:06:45Z")
My actual name has 8 or 10 ways to misspell it, and they are used more often than the actual spelling. I just don’t get steamed about it anymore. Gandhiji was a more serene guy than I will ever be, so I feel sure he would not have been pisto about people mangling his name. ---
**Author:** ![Ghanima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Ghanima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ghanima)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2007, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-gandhi-gandhi-gandhi-gandhi-gandhi/387607/99 "2007-01-17T21:24:24Z")
I think it’s my fault. Sorry about that. - **Ganhima** ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2007, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-gandhi-gandhi-gandhi-gandhi-gandhi/387607/100 "2007-01-18T00:56:47Z")
[QUOTE=Captain Carrot] Since Gandhi’s name was originally not written using the Roman alphabet, there are different ways to transliterate it. [/QUOTE] The ‘h’ is actually not extraneous, but makes the “d” aspirated rather than not aspirated. IIRC, /dh/ and /d/ are not only distinct sounds in Hindi, but they are meaningfully distinct. The word or name “Gandi”, if it exists, is completely different from Gandhi (or Ghandi), and Hindi speakers can hear the difference. So, out of courtesy to a native Hindi speaker who happens to be reading my English, I try to spell Indian names and word correctly. It’s an example of aspiration, which you can also demostrate to yourself in English by holding your hand in front of your mouth and saying first “pin” and then “spin”. When you say “pin” you will feel a puff of air on your hand when you say the “p”, but when you say “spin” you won’t. Unlike Hindi, however, while the difference exists in our language, it is not phonemically significant. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-gandhi-gandhi-gandhi-gandhi-gandhi/387607.md?page=4)