Hindi-Urdu

The Hindi-Urdu Language Program in the Department of Asian Studies offers Introductory and Intermediate level language courses for both heritage and non-heritage students.

Hindi-Urdu also often called as Hindustani is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world with over half a billion speakers primarily in India and Pakistan. While Hindi and Urdu have distinct scripts, they are essentially the same language in their fundamental forms. Although the high registers of the languages may differ, the spoken variants are nearly identical. Bollywood’s language serves as a perfect illustration of the convergence of Hindi-Urdu.

Curriculum

The Hindi-Urdu language program is an integral part of the South Asian language focus area. At the introductory level, students are taught the foundational language skills using the Devanāgarī script, along with vocabulary commonly used in Hindi-Urdu. At the intermediate level, the students not only develop a higher level of cultural and linguistic competence, but they are also introduced to the Nastaliq script, providing them with a basic understanding of the Urdu writing system.

Placement Tests

Introductory Hindi-Urdu (HINU_V 102) is designed for absolute beginners who have not formally studied Hindi at the primary and secondary education levels. If you have acquired spoken Hindi through community interactions or by watching Hindi films, but haven’t received formal education in the language, you are eligible to enroll in this course.
For individuals who have studied Hindi for a few years in school, it is recommended to take a placement test/interview to determine their eligibility for Intermediate Hindi-Urdu (HINU_V 200).