Introduction:
Hindi or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi is an Indo-Aryan language spoken chiefly in India. Hindi has been described as a standardized and Sanskritised register of the Hindustani language, which itself is based primarily on the Khariboli dialect of Delhi and neighboring areas of Northern India. Hindi, written in the Devanagari script, is one of the two official languages of the Government of India, along with the English language. It is an official language in 9 States and 3 Union Territories and an additional official language in 3 other States. Hindi is also one of the 22 scheduled languages of the Republic of India.
The importance of Hindi language is the second most spoken language in the world after Mandarin Chinese. It’s estimated that nearly half a billion people worldwide speak this wonderful language. The importance of Hindi is one of the many languages in India that is considered to be the national and official language of the northern parts of India.
Hindi Language Today
Indian songs and hymns have been adapted and used by various popular rap and pop music artists. From science to commerce and business to various multimedia has shown India to becoming a viable world economy with increasing interest in the world. Bollywood is called the second biggest film following Hollywood. Indian music becomes influential, not only in audiences in the United States but also with the rest of the world.
Hindi Language in Tourism
India is filled with a lot of beautiful and incredible architectural achievements such as the Taj Mahal Palace, considered the icon of the Capital of Mumbai, Mahabodhi Temple, the Shore Temple, and the Bridhadishwara Temple, which is considered by some as India’s most prized architectural site. Another part of the attraction of Tourists to India is the geographical diversity of the country, such as its Waters falls in the Western Ghats. Tourism is a major part of India’s economy and plays a major part in its employment as well.
Hindi Language in Business
Learning Languages will help you in the Economy
Anyone that wants to compete globally will need to put some effort into growing their business into India. India is currently the fourth-largest economy in the world(by GDP) after the USA, China, and Japan. It is predicted by 2025, that India will surpass Japan. India’s huge potential for growth and innovation has made the importance of Hindi a global language.
Other than tourism, India is growing in every other aspect such as science, commerce, business, and other information systems/digital media.
Companies that eye operational and sales expansion in the South Asia region are mostly recruiting people who are familiar with Indian culture and who could articulately and fluently speak and write Hindi.
The importance of the Hindi-speaking population as an important global market segment. Making it a very viable and important target for most global-minded businesses.
People who can fluently speak and write Hindi are actively recruited for South Asia companies as well as companies internationally. It would truly be to your advantage if you would be able to speak and write Hindi.
Important things to know
Ways to learn the Hindi language
-
School
The curriculum of Indian schools can be very confusing. Parents enroll their children at schools where English is used as a medium of instruction and opt for their native or regional tongue as a second language.
In vernacular medium schools, parents opt for English as the second language. Some schools and educational boards also stipulate a third language in the curriculum.
Should you be studying at schools with English medium of instruction and subjects include a regional language, you can easily study Hindi too.
-
Junior College
Just in case you have not opted for Hindi as a subject for secondary school studies, there is nothing to worry about. Junior college- Standard XI and Standard XII students also have an option of the second language.
Generally, junior colleges use English as a medium of instruction. Hence, you can learn to speak Hindi as a second language.
Understandably, learning Hindi at a junior college can prove difficult. Especially if you live in states where the language is not commonly used.
You can overcome this problem by joining a coaching class specifically to learn Hindi. You will find several coaching classes in your neighborhood where basic Hindi is taught to beginners.
-
Private Coaching Classes
It is possible to grasp Hindi at any stage of your life. There are countless private coaching classes available across India that teach Hindi.
You can enroll in their beginner course and move to advanced levels. Generally, these coaching classes are patronized by adults of non-Hindi-speaking states or where the language has a low prevalence.
People learn it for various reasons. Most learn Hindi to enjoy Bollywood movies.
Others need to develop Hindi language skills to communicate with various departments of the state and Central governments.
Thousands of students learn the Hindi language at private coaching classes as preparations for various entrance exams including Indian Administrative Service, Indian Police Service, National Defence Academy & Naval Academy, and others.
-
Government Programs
Central Hindi Directorate that functions under India’s Ministry of Human Resources Development (MHRD) have a comprehensive program that allows government and other employees to study speaking Hindi.
The program is implemented across India in collaboration with state-run colleges and universities.
Find which course best suits your needs for speaking this language easily from the website mentioned above. You can write to Central Hindi Directorate to find details about the nearest locations where the course is conducted.
They aim at the propagation of Hindi as the national language of India. Hence you will find these courses almost everywhere, especially in states where it is not commonly used.
-
Online Courses
There are several free online courses available to speak Hindi fluently. Mutibhashi offers professional courses to learn Hindi. They are very economically priced at Rs.2399 for 30 classes which consist of 30 min.
Professionals and native Hindi speakers create Udemy’s online courses. Hence you are assured of joining the best online course to master Hindi.
Mutibhashi offers a variety of courses to master this language. These range from Basics for Beginners to advanced classes such as Writing Tips and Techniques.
Each course can be taken from the comfort of your home. Since these are online courses, you enjoy the flexibility to study at will.
-
Swayam
Swayam is a free online course launched by the Ministry of Human Resources Development. However, it does not cater to beginners.
If you have basic skills in Hindi languages such as reading and comprehension, take the free online Swayam course.
Swayam offers secondary school-level Hindi. It is ideal if you want to learn a slightly higher level of this language.
You can register at the Swayam website as a student and take the course. Students of Swayam can also take an exam to test proficiency in this language.
-
Self-Study Books
There are countless self-study books available to assimilate the Hindi language. You can buy them at any good bookstore across the country.
Additionally, they can be ordered online too. Look for books that come with CD/DVD and contain audio-visual lessons on how to speak Hindi.
Equip yourself with an English-Hindi dictionary too since it will come in handy when you stumble across difficult words. The learning books are reasonably priced and hence, affordable.
-
Watch Bollywood Movies
If the above methods sound boring, just watch Bollywood movies. Thanks to their popularity, Bollywood movies come with subtitles in your native language.
Hence, you can pick up quite some bit of Hindi vocabulary by watching these. Thousands of foreign nationals- especially in countries of the Arabian Gulf and the Far East- have learned Hindi merely by watching Bollywood movies.
-
Read Hindi Newspapers
Before you embark on reading Hindi newspapers, get hold of an excellent English-Hindi dictionary of one that translates Hindi into your language.
Also, you will need some basic knowledge of this language and the Devanagari script. Reading newspapers will not teach you how to speak or write Hindi quickly.
Instead, reading newspapers augments your abilities when you assimilate the language through other resources.
-
Conclusion
There is nothing to be ashamed about if you cannot communicate in Hindi despite being an Indian citizen.
Because of the higher demand for people speaking Hindi, many of the world’s governments and agencies have been offering scholarships and other opportunities for individuals who are interested in Hindi studies and learning Hindi.
Hindi is truly an amazing language to learn. I hope you find this article helpful in narrowing and strengthening your reasons to learn Hindi.