Introduction

Reading and writing may not be the primary focus when you start your journey of learning a new language. However, as you make progress, it is always a good idea to practice reading and writing as this helps you improve your proficiency in the language.

Kannada, a Dravidian language, spoken primarily in the state of Karnataka in South India and to a certain extent in some bordering states, also designated as a classical language by the government of India. is a beautiful ancient language with a literary history of over a thousand years. Kannada script has evolved from the Kadamba script of the 5th century.

Learning to write starts with the alphabet. Consistent practice can help you learn the alphabet quickly in a short span of time. Let us look at some of the tips that can help you learn the alphabet quickly and easily.

To begin with, the Kannada alphabet has 49 letters which are divided into three groups that are svara (vowel), vyanjana (consonant) and yoga vaahaka (semi consonants). You can download or take a printout of the alphabet chart. Start by practicing all the vowels at once. Once you are able to learn them, move to the consonants. You can practice 4 to 5 letters in consonants in a day. Next day practice what you have learned the day before and learn another set of 4 to 5 consonants. This way you will be able to learn the complete alphabet in just a few days.

If you are an Indian who knows any other Dravidian language or Hindi, learning Kannada alphabet can be relatively easy as you can relate to most of the letters in these languages as well. The sounds of these letters are also very similar.

If you speak English, learning the script could be a little challenging. You can still find similarities when it comes to the sounds of the letters which can make practicing them a little easy. Most consonant sounds are similar and the vowels are similar to short and long vowel sounds in English.  

There are many online sites that allow you to learn the alphabet along with the sound of each letter. As you practice these letters practice the sounds as well which can be of great help in proper pronunciation. 

You can also install a Kannada language learning app which has the alphabet with the sounds. YouTube can also be a good source to learn the Kannada alphabet.

Nothing comes close to learning from a teacher directly. You can join an online class where you get an opportunity to learn from a teacher directly. Another advantage of an online class is that you can choose to learn at a time that suits your daily commitments.

It is very important to read along as you practice writing. This would ensure that you are able to hear the letters that you say and can correct yourself if necessary. Reading aloud ensures better memorization as well.

You can make use of flashcards with the letters of the alphabet. You can either create your own flashcards or make use of the ones that are available on different apps.

Spend some time everyday practicing the alphabet and you can even learn it in a week or less time.