I have just been offered the opportunity to live in India for a year, working in a small village. I have never been to India or any other country in the middle east, but I would like to be prepared if I go. I would like to start getting a grasp of the languages in India now, while I have time to develop a beginner’s understanding. What is the most useful language to learn while living in India? I am willing to learn anything…and if you know a good resource, that’s even more fantastic. Thank so much!

Comments

1. x.x it's_avoca :) says:

   January 23, 2010 at 12:35 am

   Hindi is spoken by almost everybody as it is the official language. Also , most peole would understand English as it is an additional official language.

   There are many regional languages in India, but the most common ones are Assamese, Bengali and Gujarati.

   I would buy some self help books which can be found in the languages section of any book store and/ or employ a private tutor.

   Hope that helped
   Take care
2. happyforever says:

   January 26, 2010 at 2:19 am

   you+should+learn+hindi… its+easy+and+you+will+find+it+very+useful ….. however+if+you+are+planning+to+go+to+south+india%2C+then+learn+kannada+also….%0A%0Aand+its+my+pleasure+to+answer+your+question%21%3A%29
3. seedi says:

   January 26, 2010 at 9:02 am

   HINDI+is+the+national+language+of+India+and+English+is+the+official+language.++Majority+of+the+people+in+India+can+understand+Hindi.++It+is+widely+spoken+language+anywhere+in+India.++but+it+make+a+difference+as+if+you+are+working+in+a+village%2C+then+some+villagers+may+not+understand+hindi+at+that+time+you+can+learn+their+local+language+too.
4. Munni says:

   January 28, 2010 at 10:30 pm

   i personelly think hindi is better because as it is known as the official language. but english wouls
5. EquityCraft says:

   January 30, 2010 at 11:16 am

   India+is+sub-continent+of+people+%28%3E+1+billion%29+who+speak+different+languages+and+follow+different+religions.+Most+of+them+know+%28broken%29+English+or+Hindi.+It+is+useless+to+learn+Hindi+if+you+are+going+to+the+southern+or+eastern+part+of+the+country.+It+is+useless+to+learn+regional+language+of+one+state%2C+if+you+go+to+another+state.+So+stick+to+English.%0AThe+British+were+here+for+two+and+a+half+centuries%21
6. asimboral says:

   January 31, 2010 at 5:29 am

   Hindi is the common language in any village in India but you can learn easilly local language since you will be in avillage for 1 year.
7. vakayil k says:

   February 3, 2010 at 12:58 pm

   In India there are many language and people speak different languages in different parts of India. For example, the language in Tamil Nadu is Tamil, Malayalam in Kerala, Kannada in Karnataka, Telugu in Andhra Pradesh, Hindi in North India, Marathi in Maharashtra etc. English can be used as a common language in all parts. If you are planning to live in Mumbai, Delhi or other northern States, Hindi will be most useful. However, if hyou are planning to stay in SDouth india, English will be better
8. sprawl says:

   April 5, 2010 at 8:12 am

   Do you have copy writer for so good articles? If so please give me contacts, because this really rocks!
9. SteveC says:

   April 17, 2010 at 11:33 pm

   I am reading this article second time today, you have to be more careful with content leakers. If I will fount it again I will send you a link