Saturday 3 March 2012

Finding similarities

It's not all that different a language after all.
I admit being stumped when asked whether I would be interested in teaching Hindi to continuing education students at the university I currently teach English. 
But once over the beginner's fright, I reasoned with myself.
I'm supposed to be a foreign language teacher.
I should be able to do this. 
I know the rules of the game.
I have studied the ropes.
I can do it. 


Mission accepted. 
Level 2: Introspection
How was I to teach Hindi to the French?
It isn't a language that that can be understood easily by a European.
Everything from the script to the phonetics is far from being transparent.
But recognising a few Hindi words could make the task a bit easier. 
Pyjama, 
Verandah, 
Bungalow, 
Cheetah, 
Thug, 
Sentry, 
Loot, 
Jungle, 
Bangle 
Aren't they all of Indian origin?
Then my students added to the list
Courtesy stereotypes and supermarkets
There is 'basmati', said one, synonymous with rice.
We know the word 'sari',
That elegant piece of cloth all Indian women wear 
ALL Indian women, I asked curious
Of course!
'Tchae' of Lipton tea sachets fame, isn't that Indian too? 
Um, no, but 'Chai' sure is.
We also know 'Guru'. He teaches 'Yoga'
Exotic movements we don't really understand.
Seems to be a good beginning.

1 comment:

  1. acha hai, likhtee raho, aagay aagay padhtay hain, likhtee hai kya :-)

    ReplyDelete