Introduction:
Kannada is a language spoken by the people of Karnataka in the southwestern region of India and is a member of the Dravidian language family. It has its own written script. The language is also spoken by linguistic minorities in the states of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Kerala, and Goa; and also, by Kannadigas abroad. Kannada is one of the oldest Indian languages, it is as old as 2000 years. It is also 99.9% perfect logically and scientifically. It takes 60 hours to speak 85% fluent Kannada, enough to Survive in Urban & Semi-urban Karnataka. Grammar rules are just like any Indian language. A good Trainer, who could help you with the Universally matching Vocabulary, Grammatical word-endings that match your Mother Tongue is all, that is needed.
As Kannada is the regional language it is very much easy compared to learning a foreign language. Here are the 9 ways to make yourself fluent in Kannada:
Things to keep in mind
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Learn the alphabets
First of all, you need to familiarise yourself with the language. Now we have various applications where you can learn the Kannada alphabets so that you can have a better understanding of how to pronounce the words correctly because you do not pronounce it the way it is written. It is not an easy task, but it is worth having good knowledge if you are serious about learning the language.
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Learn the numbers
Like learning the alphabet learning the counting units is also very important. You need to be familiarised with the numbers in order to ask or tell the time, to exchange the price while buying, and for counting the dates.
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Start a short conversation with other people
To speak a language fluently you need to change what you have learned practically. Like speaking a simple greeting and starting a small conversation like, for example, Do you had your lunch? or asking a price is a good starter for making yourself fluent in a particular language.
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Learn how to introduce
One of the most important is to start introducing yourself to a Kannada speaker, and it is a critical skill to acquire. People will be more willing to help you once you have explained who you are. When entering a new area with a different culture and language, it is wise to learn the basic pleasantries and phrases of gratitude.
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Asking for help
If you are traveling in Karnataka for the first time, or find yourself lost somewhere in southern India, knowing how to ask where something is or where you are is of the utmost importance. It is also important to learn the basic conversation for buying things, for example, How much is this?- idhu yeshtu? or … bele eshtu.? , Please remove damaged / rotten ones – dayavittu damage-aagirodanu thegeyiri etc. Talking to your domestic helper is also useful at some point.
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Talk to yourself in Kannada.
Create a scene in your head and pretend that you are both the persons. A scene where these two suddenly bump into one another after so long and you have this conversation. Act it out with all the emotions too. It will certainly improve your accent. Keep practicing as practice makes it better and better.
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Keep a closer look at their daily lives.
Be very enthusiastic about learning about their cultures and what not you can learn about South Indians. Google has everything you can scrutinize the entire day. Read books too, that tell a tale of the living in Kannada. Having thorough background knowledge of South India can help you understand Kannada more efficiently.
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Change the preferences of songs and watch movies
First, go get your headphones and put on some Kannada movie song or whichever song that makes you feel like you’re in South Indian and sing along to the song that you’re listening to and enjoy yourself. Whenever you watch a Kannada movie, turn off the subtitle and try to understand the movie, watch it over again with the subtitle on and observe if your understandings are mutual to what the characters mean. After a few movies, you will catch a hint on the words that are used the most often.
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Think in Kannada
Think in Kannada and talk to yourself in Kannada in front of the mirror; if possible, play roles like in the movie or like a shopkeeper and his customer etc. It improves in giving a response in the language in distinct situations. This will remove your hesitation and overcome pauses that usually strike while trying to speak a new language.