Snell R., Weightman S. Teach Yourself Hindi. Audio

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Date: 1989
Format / Quality: MP3 / 80kbpsThis course is designed to enable those with no previous knowledge of Hindi to reach the point where they can communicate effectively in Hindi and can read, write and converse on a range of topics. It is also intended for speakers of other Indian languages who may or may not know some Hindi already, but who wish to be able to speak and write India's national language accurately and with increasing fluency. The course has also proved effective as teaching material for both class and individual tuition.
The Hindi presented in this course is primarily colloquial and practical, and here some explanation of the position of Hindi may be helpful. Hindi is the national language of India; but, as the language map (Fig. 1) shows, it is one of several languages used in different parts of the sub-continent. 'National', then, has to be understood as meaning the 'official' or 'link' language. Although the map shows the homeland of Hindi to be in the North, it is studied, taught, spoken and understood widely throughout the sub-continent, whether as mother tongue or as a second or a third language.
Hindi has a special relationship with Urdu: their grammar is virtually identical, and they have a substantial vocabulary in common. The two languages, however, quickly part company, because Urdu is written from right to left in a modified form of the Arabic script and has drawn the bulk of its vocabulary from Persian and Arabic, while Hindi is written in the Devanagari script and, in common with other Indian languages, has drawn much of its vocabulary from Sanskrit. Like all languages, Hindi has many different styles and speech registers, appropriate in different contexts. At the most colloquial level it reflects more the common ground with Urdu, while in formal and official contexts a more Sanskritized style is found. The language of this course is that which is used unselfconsciously by Hindi speakers and writers in the various, mainly informal, situations which arc introduced. The more formal Sanskritized Hindi is best learnt after acquiring the basic communicative competence which is the primary aim of this course. We have chosen not to include here many of the English words which some Hindi speakers use freely in their conversations.
Hindi is a most enjoyable language, and is not difficult to learn. By the time you finish this course, you should be able to handle a wide range of the topics and subjects that occur in everyday situations. A good command of Hindi is an entry into a fascinating and richly diversified culture, and well worth the effort needed to acquire it.