• Can I learn some basics from your site before I go to India this summer?
  
  
• Where is Hindi spoken in India?
  
  
• How I can hear Hindi conversation and practice understanding it?
  
  
• How can I practice writing and learning the sounds of the letters?
  
  
• What does 'Dev Naagari' mean?
  
  
• Would your course be geared towards the needs of my 13-year-old daughter?
  
  
• How can I learn conversational Hindi in Delhi?

Dear Chaytna,

Just discovered your website and I am interested in your system for learning Hindi. I am going to India (Delhi) in September and I have a basic knowledge of Hindi, but my past experience has shown me conversational Hindi is difficult to learn in Delhi as everyone speaks English. Have you any suggestions? 

Thanks, Linda Chawla.

Dear Linda,

It is true that many people speak English in Delhi, but the majority of people still speak Hindi. I myself go to Delhi quite often and speak Hindi most of the time. Of course, in modern hotels and restaurants, you will mostly find English but everyone I meet is always delighted when I speak Hindi, and they almost always respond in Hindi.

So by all means, practice your Hindi in Delhi. It should be easy to do with Let's Learn Hindi. Keep it with you and use its easy method of building a sentence. It works so well that you can use it even while you are in the flow of conversation. The dictionary comes in very handy when you are looking for the right word. Just remember to keep your sentences simple in the beginning and never worry if you are taking time. I have always found that Hindi-speaking people are patient with new speakers and are pleased with your effort to speak with them in their own language.

All the best!  Chaytna     [ back to top ]

Dear Chaytna, 

I'm in Montreal and looking for some good Hindi learning sites online to teach my 13 year old daughter Hindi. Having lived abroad, she too has not much knowledge of sentence structure etc. just as you didn't to begin with. Yet, you have the advantage of being immersed in the language in India. My daughter is presently familiar with the alphabet, has some dictionary skills, and is at a first/second grade Hindi reading/writing level. Would your course be geared towards her needs for more conversation? plus reading/writing too, of course, but definitely conversation! In addition, do you offer any courses online? 

Regards, Dayu D'Sa 

Dear Dayu D'sa, 

The method used in Let's Learn Hindi is very much geared for conversational Hindi. The book's chapters follow the basic structure of a Hindi phrase or sentence, and one only has to flip from one chapter to the next to build a sentence. Conversation is improved very quickly using this method. It is almost fool-proof so your daughter will definitely build a strong knowledge of Hindi sentence structure using this book. 

I do not offer courses online yet, but that is soon to come! Until then, please feel free to order a copy of Let's Learn Hindi and write me if any questions come up while studying it. If you would like to practice writing sentences and have them checked or corrected, email them to me. I am here to assist anyone who uses Let's Learn Hindi. 

All the best, Chaytna     [ back to top ]

Namastay,

I am planning a trip to India this summer. Would your site be a good place to learn some of the basics before I go?

Andrew

Dear Andrew, 

At present my web site offers one lesson on the Dev Naagari (Hindi) script, which is very useful in India, since most of the signs are in Hindi. So that is a good start! However, if you would also like to learn some basic conversation, before going to India, I can send you a copy of Let's Learn Hindi. It will certainly help you on your travels in India. It has provided invaluable assistance to many people wanting to get around easily in India.

Have a nice trip! All the best,

Chaytna     [ back to top ]

Dear Chaytna, 

I have just visited your web site and loved it! It conveys the flavour and feeling of India and made me get excited about the trip I am planning to India. I would also like to order a copy of your book to start learning Hindi. I have heard, however, that Hindi is not spoken in all parts of India. Can you please tell me where Hindi is spoken in India so I can plan my trip accordingly?

Anita Daas 

Dear Anita,

Thank you! A book is on its way to you. With it, you will enjoy India and speaking Hindi. Hindi is spoken in most of the major cities in India, like Mumbai, New Delhi, Varanasi, etc. Though other languages are also spoken, Hindi will be understood and will get you through like a charm. All of northern and most of central India is Hindi speaking. So you will especially enjoy the provinces of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and the Punjab. And that is a lot of India for any one trip!!

 Enjoy your travels and all the best,

Chaytna     [ back to top ]

Dear Chaytna 

I have been learning Hindi with your book and CD for the past few months and am getting the hang of it! I can't come to India at this time but would like to hear more spoken Hindi. Any ideas? 

Cheers, Michael

Dear Michael, 

There is a great way to hear Hindi dialogue, which is fun as well. How about a good Hindi movie! Many major cities in the US and other countries have a TV channel that sometimes show Hindi (Bollywood) movies. If not, most video stores have a Hindi movie section. Rent one and watch it several times if you can. This would really improve your Hindi. 

Chaytna     [ back to top ]

Dear Chaytna

I stumbled upon your site and was very impressed. Especially with the Hindi Menu. I find myself interested in learning the Dev Naagari alphabet now. I have three questions about it:

1. What do the words Dev Naagari mean?
2. What is the best way to practice writing and learning the sounds of the letters?
3. Do all the letters have a covering line?

I hope to receive a reply from you soon. Dr. S. K. Nautica 

Dear Dr. S. K. Nautica 

Thanks for stumbling! I am glad you liked the Hindi Menu and are interested in learning the alphabet. It is a beautiful, artistic script and not difficult to write. But let me answer your questions as they were written. 

Dev Naagari means 'Divine Language'. Its script originated (and is still the same) as ancient Sanskrit. The Dev Naagari script is also common to several other Indian languages. 

The best way to practice the letters is to keep in mind that they are symmetrical in shape and should look balanced and full.  You should complete the basic shape of the letter before you draw the line on top, as some letters are not fully covered. On lined paper, letters hang from the line above, rather than stand on the line below as they do in English.

This answers your last question: all letters have a line over them at some point, but not all the letters are fully covered. Check the chart carefully when writing a letter for the first time to see which letters are not fully covered by a line. I would recommend writing each letter several times in one row, pronouncing its sound at the same time. This way the sound of each letter and its shape will be retained in your memory easily. After practicing each letter, combine two letters together, and read them aloud. Print out and keep the Hindi Menu (chart) handy for reference! 

If you wish to hear the pronunciation of the sounds of the letters, you can order the audio CD or cassette that accompanies Let's Learn Hindi. It also offers reading exercises for practicing letters, words and sentences. 

All the best, Chaytna     [ back to top ]