Hindi is an Indo-Aryan language spoken by about 41 percent of the population of India, according to the CIA World Factbook. (See Reference 3) Millions also speak Hindi in Indian communities worldwide. Spoken Hindi is very similar to Urdu, though these languages use different writing systems. Hindi uses the Devanagari script, which is also used in writing several other Indian languages. Using shorthand to write Hindi can save time and paper, and can prove beneficial for those who need to take notes quickly, such as in lectures or when working as an interpreter.
Learn the full form letters of the Devanagari script. You will need to master the full version of written Hindi before attempting to write in shorthand. If you already speak Hindi, this will come easily. Using flashcards can help you learn to recognize the letters then move on to writing them by memory. Look for tutorials online to help you write the letters properly. The website Omniglot provides the history and overview of the Hindi language and a chart with the letters and their corresponding sounds. You can also find links to Hindi language learning sites.
Learn to read and recognize Hindi shorthand.You can find downloadable manuals for learning Hindi shorthand online. Once you have learned the Devanagari script, use flashcards to teach yourself the shorthand versions of the letters. Write the shorthand letter on one side and the full form of the letter in Devanagari on the other side.
Practice writing Hindi shorthand. Find a passage in full form Devanagari and copy it to shorthand. Look for online newspapers. Listen to spoken Hindi and write what you hear in shorthand. You can find several online resources for listening to spoken Hindi. Listen to podcasts or watch YouTube videos for free. Take notes about what you hear in shorthand.
Look for podcasts or videos with accompanying text; after you have written what you heard in shorthand, you can compare your notes to the transcripts to see if you have covered the important points of the passage.
Hindi is considered a critical language by the United States government. This means that several opportunities exist in the U.S. government sector for those who speak and write Hindi. The Critical Language Scholarship program offers funding for those who wish to study Hindi.
You can get certified in Hindi shorthand.
Pamela Ann Ludwig has lived, worked and studied on five continents. Her articles can be seen online at various websites. She holds a Master of Arts degree in history from San Francisco State University and has experience teaching different dance disciplines as well as English to speakers of other languages.