This was the biggest mistake I made in my Hindi learning journey:
I took advice from “experts” who said, “Always learn to speak first, then write.”
This advice is fine for most languages, but most languages don’t have an alphabet where 8 letters sound incredibly similar to each other!
So, let’s see why reading Hindi is important and how to start learning it.
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15 replies on “Keys to Learning Hindi: 1. Learn to Read First!”
Amazing blog! Keep o going and helping us! Thanks!!!
Thank you 🙏
Hi great tips ! But where to buy the book seems unavailable the Snell one ? Thanks
Gpod blog
Hi! How do I get the E-Book? I can’t find it on your blog. Thank you!
Hey Brittany, the entire book is right here as blog posts, check the bottom of each post for Table of Contents https://blog.karlrock.com/how-to-learn-hindi-faster-than-i-did/. Good luck with your Hindi journey.
Hi karl, i just found your page. I am learning Hindi now. It’s tough but your blog helps.
Best of luck Mel. Keep going 🙏
HI Karl. I have seen some of your videos and just checked out your blog. You are inspiring. I’m eager to learn this beautiful language. Beautiful journey.
Kind regards from Colombia, South America.
Thank you for your very kind comment. Best of luck with your studies.
I fully agree. I taught myself Bengali using a book and the first thing it does it teach you how to read/write. It taught me the entire alphabet and how to read conversations before it taught me to say “how are you?” Learning to read is fundamental and a great idea. And yes, it takes months of hard work but it is 100% worth it.
I have been looking all over youtube for helpful videos to learn Hindi but most only have common asked questions. I wanted the alphabet and pronunciation guide. So this will be so helpful. Thank you
Hello Rock. I started the Duolingo course on Hindi and it starts out with….the Devanagari script! Not an easy way to start an online class, if you ask me, where all one does is [at least at this point] to look and make choices on a multiple-choice test. I realized that I needed to write the letters for me to memorize what they sounded like. So when I searched for “learning how to write the Devanagari script,” your blog came up. And you reinforced my insight! Unfortunately, Snell’s little book costs a fortune on Amazon (for me anyway), which would also require a hefty shipping fee as I live in the Philippines. Fortunately, I found a Youtube channel that teaches how to write and pronounce the Devanagari letters. The channel is actually for learning Sanskrit, but I suppose that won’t lead me astray, would it? Perhaps you’d say “au contraire”…? Anyway, here is the link to the video, just in case: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PWIDchrRFU&list=RDCMUCqFg6QnwgtVHo1iFgpxrx-A&start_radio=1&rv=_PWIDchrRFU&t=71
Thanks Rock!
Thanks so much for this 1st step suggestion! I’ve always had a deep admiration for Indian culture and Hinduism. I just began learning an Indian classical dance (Odissi) at the beginning of this year so I’m inspired to start learning Hindi and then eventually Sanskrit. I hope to visit India one day – so much I want to experience there.
Anyway, thank you again for all you do!
Thank you for your lovely message.