How to learn Kannada well without a teacher?
It is important for a person to learn the language is how much he/she wants to learn. Learning a language that is not our mother tongue may be difficult, but it completely depends on an individual’s effort and time invested to learn the language. A serious learner who really wants to really learn the language will manage to learn a lot of the language, even without a teacher. So I suggest starting by knowing about the Kannada language, and its history. One cannot jump right in the middle of the ocean without knowing how to swim.
Kannada is one of the oldest Indian languages, slated to be as old as 2000 years. Kannada script and grammar is 100% logical and scientific. 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. The language had roughly 43 million native speakers by 2011. Kannada is also spoken as a second and third language by over 12.9 million non-native speakers in Karnataka, which adds up to 56.9 million speakers. It is one of the scheduled languages of India and the official and administrative language of the state of Karnataka. Kannada was the court language of some of the most powerful empires of South and Central India, such as the Chalukya dynasty, the Rashtrakuta dynasty, the Vijayanagara Empire and the Hoysala Empire. The Kannada language is written using the Kannada script, which evolved from the 5th-century Kadamba script.
Now, let’s read how we can learn the language without a teacher.
- Watching Kannada movies (preferably with subtitles) can be of great help. This is an important and entertaining way to improve your language skills.
- Do not hesitate. Speak the language at every possible opportunity.
- Never mind if you are using less Kannada and more English words. Kanglish is anyway popular in Bangalore. However, constantly try to improve your Kannada vocabulary.
- Watch Kannada news. This is not only helpful in learning the language but will help you to know your state better.
- If you are a user of public transport, carefully listen to co-passengers conversations.
- Enjoy the local tang of the language by listening to Kannada FM stations.
- Do not completely rely on the ‘Learn Kannada in 30 days’ type of books. Natives will fail to comprehend your textbook language and you are sure to face some embarrassment if you go strictly by books.
A step-by-step guide to learn conversational Kannada.
Learn a few salutations, greetings and expressions: Namaskara, Hegiddeera, Chennagideera etc. It is always better to use the plural form to address a singular person when we speak politely. Learn words for queries – Who, Why, When, Where, Which, How, etc. (Yaaru, Yaake, Yaavaga, Elli, Enu, Hege etc) List the important verbs required in everyday conversation. Learn the pronouns. (he, she, it / avanu, avaLu, adu) Gender, time, numbers, cardinals, colors, names of vegetables, fruits, pulses, etc. Tenses – Use the verbs in present, past and future tenses· Learn Conjunctions which eventually help to make complex sentences. (and, but, or / mattu, aadare, athava etc.) Make simple sentences indicating – Request, Advise, Order, Interrogation, Negation, Assertive, etc.
Finally,
To have learned as many languages as you possibly can is an advantage. What is more important is your attentiveness towards your learnings. Be your own light and your own guide and inspire those who are around you. Rewarding yourself after completing your small sets of goals is a way to keep you motivated while you are on the run.