Is Kannada a good language to take up as a career?

Kannada is one of the many languages spoken in India. It is predominantly spoken by the people of Karnataka in the southwest of the country, and it is closely associated with their way of life. It has its own script and vocabulary, despite being a member of the Dravidian family of languages. Is learning Kannada worthwhile? While it is mostly spoken in the Indian state of Karnataka, it is also spoken by minorities in a number of neighbouring states, with a total population of about 41 million native speakers – and even more, if second and third language speakers are included. It is a Dravidian language that, like many others in India’s south, has its own Kannada script. Kannada is a language with a lot of inflexions. Kannada is a highly inflected language, meaning words are transformed based on certain grammatical elements. For example, there are 3 grammatical genders, 2 numbers and 8 cases to contend with. In terms of pronunciation, every sound has its own corresponding letter. The general word order of the language is SOV. To many, Kannada may just be another drop in the ocean that is Indian languages, but what it represents is much bigger. The tens of millions of speakers attest to its prominence and widespread use, again deeply entwined with the culture of the region. By learning Kannada, you will be opening this world up to explore and enjoy. Kannada is a heavily inflected language, which means that some grammatical elements change the meaning of sentences. There are three grammatical genders, two numbers, and eight cases to consider, for example. Per sound has a letter that corresponds to it in terms of pronunciation. The language’s general word order is SOV. Kannada may seem to many as yet another drop in the ocean of Indian languages, but it reflects something more. The fact that it is spoken by tens of millions of people attests to its popularity and widespread use, which is again profoundly entwined with the culture of the region. By learning Kannada, you will be able to experience and enjoy this culture. 

Wherever you decide to live long-term, it’s a good idea to learn the local language to be able to manoeuvre. Learning at least a few rudimentary basics can take you a long way and help you connect with the local culture.

While Kannada itself isn’t a good option if you plan to make a living, learning any language is very enriching. Kannada is a good country for many things. Kannada language is and will stay helpful only if you are in Karnataka or Kannada speaking states or if you marry a Kannadiga. India isn’t a preferred country of choice for immigrants.

Objectively, the Kannada language is far away from being a great choice for 99% of non-Kannadigas around the world. The Kannada language doesn’t have much scope for a career. It isn’t a predominant language in the world and will never become one for few simple reasons:

The Kannadigas are not really very welcoming people. Unfortunately, despite Kannada being a beautiful artistic language, the first impression you get for it is from the time you land up in Karnataka! Rude, rash, overcharging, bullying auto drivers to unhelpful people who stare at your plight but wouldn’t help! There are many instances of personal experiences quoted on the internet for you to read. I really wouldn’t want to quote because I love the language!

The Kannada language cannot become an important language because even Kannadigas themselves learn foreign languages, especially English. Kannadigas are amongst non-English speakers who spend the most time and money to learn English and immigrate abroad.

The 4 next growing markets for the future are South America, Africa, and developing countries in Asia. And no one uses the Kannada Language! In fact, French and Spanish will join English to become the 3 most spoken languages around the world with the largest geographic distribution.

Every year educated and worthy Kannadiga students migrate to foreign countries to learn their language and culture because those countries represent the future in terms of economic development and partnerships. 

The rate of foreign students who stay to work in Kannada after their studies are one of the lowest in the world. 

Career options 

Teaching English in Kannada would be the most viable option, but with limitations! Not only that, Karnataka isn’t the friendly Karnataka it once used to be! It is absolutely against accepting Indians from the North, often called Hindi Speaking, let alone foreigners. They believe their culture is getting ruined by so many people entering Karnataka. And they absolutely shun these entrants at positions higher themselves. That despite the fact that, after the Kannadiga students leave Karnataka, 99% of these companies are left with no choice but to hire non-Kannadigas, as high-end talents in any market are always in a state of shortage.

Being an interpreter is also a viable option, but there isn’t much need! Being trilingual is still a lot better than being monolingual in today’s competitive job market. Good opportunities do not come every day but when they do, one needs to be ready to be able to seize them.

Outside Karnataka, all Kannadigas speak foreign languages fluently. Educated Kannadigas are super hardworking and intelligent and it’s these young sharp minds who have bagged the tag of Bangalore being the Silicon Valley in India! 

Kannada may find use in the tourism industry as a tour guide to service Non-Kannadiga tourists who need guidance or hard-to-obtain information; since English is not spoken by most local people. 

The Kannada language also finds use in the medical field to be able to help a Non-Kannada speaker in Hospitals in Karnataka.

New generations of Kannadas are themselves having a tough time finding jobs in their own homeland despite their calibre and qualifications.

Kannada however is a great choice if: 

1. If you live, work, or study in Karnataka, of course, the Kannada language will help you in your daily life, but there also is the reality. 
2. You wish to make friends in Karnataka. Learning Kannada makes you wiser and more open-minded as you get the chance to explore a whole new world and culture that you would not know unless you learn their language. Without learning the native language of your friends, it is usually hard to maintain a long-lasting friendship. Through language apps, you can talk to Kannadigas and share things about your country while educating them.
3. It is never too late to enjoy good books written in the target language. Yet, being able to read books in Kannada, without having to rely on translations, will be such a delight for an avid reader like me. The Kannada language is beautiful and it is always fun to add new titles to your never-ending reading list.
4. If you are married to a Kannadiga from Karnataka, speaking Kannada will definitely help you to communicate with his/her family. 
5. You can have direct and unlimited access to Kannada literature in its original form.
6. The Kannada language will help you keep a balanced view on the Indian events that involve Karnataka, and you will be able to identify fake news in comparison to the actual one available in Kannada and/or by having conversations with natives and to find their point of view.

If you are going to stay in Bangalore for a longer period due to a job or official posting, and you don’t know Kannada, then I recommend you learning Kannada for your own benefit!

• Learning Kannada can help you easily communicate with localite in Kannada. 
• It helps you connect to the local people.
• You will feel more accepted by vendors, government employees and many more.
• You can read posters, signs, bus routes, etc.
• You will understand the essence of Kannada culture better if you know the language – and possibly even read their literature
• Karnataka is a beautiful state, and there are a lot of regions to travel to in the vicinity of Bangalore. Knowing Kannada will help a lot in getting around in remote areas and you will never be alone.
• It helps you understand the heritage of the place.
• People feel more comfortable if you can speak in their local language.
• And of course, you can also be saved from getting cheated upon by localites who cheat those who do not know the language.
• Learning more languages is good for you according to current neuroscience – the more diverse, the better. 
• Learning a new language will expand the way your brain thinks into regions you cannot imagine.
• If you learn the Kannada script, you can automatically read most of Telugu – so it’s a ‘two for one’ kind of deal.
• Like all media and cultures, Kannada media and culture has gems that can be best appreciated with intricate knowledge of the language. As an example, consider the movie “Beladingala Baale”.
• And then there are evident benefits to learn Kannada, to be able to speak in the neighbourhood with Kannadiga neighbours, maids, shopkeepers, electricians, plumbers, carpenters, masons, auto drivers, at the vegetable market, fruit seller, the courier guys, the photocopy man, the ironing man, the man who runs the taxi company, even the lady security guard in the metro, immigration staff, traffic or local police etc.

I recommend that you begin by learning and understanding the most widely used terms, such as What, Why, Who, How, Name, Place, Here, There, Come, Go, and so on.

Always have a journal with you. When you come across new vocabulary, add at least 10 to your list each day. Someone should be able to explain that to you. The same words are often found in various ways. Make a concerted attempt to comprehend it.

When you have free time, continue to revise the terms.

Try spinning them into sentences until you’ve collected about 100 words. Don’t just translate each word from your native tongue into Kannada. Recognize the structure of the expression.

Recognize the rules of grammar. Use the smartphone – there are a plethora of useful applications. To name a couple, @Kannada Baruthe and @Learn Spoken Kannada. Also, get a Kannada to English dictionary.

You can also use Google Translate.

If keeping a notebook is too inconvenient, use Evernote or another similar app to keep track of your words.

Listen to Kannada songs and watch Kannada movies. Radio Stations can be listened to. When you’re home, say the sentences out loud. This will help you get more familiar with the sounds and pronunciations.

Recognize the rules of grammar. Use the smartphone – there are a plethora of useful applications. To name a couple, @Kannada Baruthe and @Learn Spoken Kannada. Also, get a Kannada to English dictionary.

You can also use Google Translate.

If keeping a notebook is too inconvenient, use Evernote or another similar app to keep track of your words.

Listen to Kannada songs and watch Kannada movies. Radio Stations can be listened to. When you’re home, say the sentences out loud. This will help you get more familiar with the sounds and pronunciations.

And notably, put it into action. In Kannada, speak with bus conductors, auto drivers, traders, and shopkeepers.

Request that your friends/colleagues converse with you in Kannada and correct you when you make an error. I hope this information is useful.

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