Either Urdu or you don’t!
How to learn Urdu — one of the official languages of Pakistan
With close to 100 million speakers around the world, Urdu is quickly becoming a popular language. Along with English, it’s the official language of Pakistan and six states in India. So, what is this language and how do you learn it?
First things first!
Like many eastern languages, Urdu is read right to left.
For many western readers, retraining your brain to read in “reverse” can be difficult — but it’s not impossible!
English and Urdu are closer than you think
Over the years, English has actually snagged a few words for the Urdu language
bandana from बांधना [bandhna], to tie
chutney from چٹنی [chatni], to crush
cushy from خوشی [khushi], ease, happiness
juggernaut from जगन्नाथ [jagannātha], a form of Vishu worshipped at the Jagannath Temple
jungle from جنگل [jangal], jungle
khaki from खकि [khākī], of dust color, dusty, grey
pyjamas from पैजामा [paijaamaa], leg garment
shampoo from चाँपो [chāmpo]
thug from ٹھگ [thhug], cheat, swindler
Yoga from योग
Urdu sentence structure
In English, we typically use a subject + verb + object structure.
Example: Sally (subject) sees (verb) Jimmy (object).
In Urdu, sentences are structured subject + object + verb.
Example: Sally (subject) Jimmy (object) sees (verb).
How popular is Urdu?
Urdu is quite popular in Pakistan, India, and surrounding areas. Its popularity has been helped by the fact is mutually intelligible with Standard Hindi. What this means is speakers of the two languages can readily understand each other without intentional study or special effort.
Urdu has also gained popularity through Bollywood, the Indian film industry. As Bollywood movies continue to get international attention, so does this language!
Why Urdu?
Urdu is a must if your area of academic interest lies in South Asia. In Pakistan, for instance, you’ll find that Urdu is the language used in the court system, business, medicine, agriculture, and many other areas.
The U.S. State Department even listed Urdu as a “significant language.” As more people in the United States are now speaking Urdu, the State Department, among other agencies and institutions, offers scholarships for language study and travel abroad for students studying Urdu.
For volunteers: If you’re planning on joining the Peace Corp or spend some time with Doctors without Borders, it’s always a good practice to have some basics so you’ll be able to converse with the locals.
The universal language — humour
We’ll end this blog post on a lighter note. Below is a popular joke in Urdu:
Urdu:
Aik mota aadmi apney dubley dost sey kehta hey: “jab bhi mey tumhey dekhta hoon, lagta hey dunya mey qehet par gaya hey.’’
Dubla foran jawab deta hey: “Aur tumhey dekh key koi bhi asaani sey ye samajh sakta hey key ye qehet kioon para hey.”
Translation:
A chubby man says to a thin friend: “When I look at you, I feel the world is hit by a famine.”
The thin man replies: “And looking at you I feel it is you who has caused this famine.”
To start learning Urdu, check out this beginner deck of basic phrases in Urdu!
