So I've made it a summer project to take on learning Kannada. For those that know me, I have an Indian girlfriend-- I'd be lying if I said that this fact wasn't a big influence in pushing me towards this project. I mean, going to St. Louis to meet her family and being proficient in a South Indian language would be awesome.
But more so than that, I love language. And I've never learned any language in the Dravidian family. AND, there are almost no sources out there for people trying to learn. But anyway, if I could go back, I would've double majored in linguistics and film... but transferring and changing my mind has made that impossible now. But I've retained most of the linguistics stuff I've learned in college and it's been helping me immensely as I get a grip on Kannada.
This blog started after my girlfriend (Monisha, for all you internet strangers and burgeoning kannadigas/kannadatis) mentioned that it would be cool to start a blog about my process. As I learn, I'll make notes and write on here, maybe help my own learning and possibly help others too. I've been combing the internet for Kannada-related links as well, so I'll post those here too
First thing is, I'll be writing in Kannada script probably pretty frequently on this blog, so to really get the most of it you'll have to download a Kannada font. Go get it, son:
That site will give you the Kannada font you need as well as an alternate keyboard so that you can type in Kannada script and change between the keyboards (that's if you're feeling ambitious). But anyway--
Today....
BASIC PHRASES
YES -- ಹೌಡು (haoo -du)
*the "ah-oo" is pronounced as a low dipthong, and the "du" is an interdental "d," almost like a hard "th".
NO/NEGATION (I don't want) -- ಬೆಡ (beh -Da)
*the "beh" is a deep "e" sound and the "D" is a retroflex "d" sound. After the retroflex move is made, however, the tongue has to return to the bottom of the mouth for a clear "ah" ending tone.
MARK OF ABSENCE (I don't have / it's not there) -- ಇಲ್ಲ (illa)
*the "i" is an "ih" and the "ll" is slightly long. The "la" is snapped down a bit.
ENOUGH (in relation to food, polite) -- ಸಕು (sa-ku)
*the "ku" is pronounced normally, but clipped.
PRONOUNS
I -- ನಾನು (naanu)
*pretty much how it sounds, long "aa," the "nu" is clipped.
YOU -- ನೇನು (neenu)
*the "ee" is long, the "nu" is clipped.
US -- ನಾವು (naa -wu)
*the "aa" is still long, the "w" is an approximant somewhere between a "w" and a "v," in this case it's a soft "w." Finally, the "wu" is clipped.
YOU (PL) (used for talking respectfully to elders as well) -- ನೇವು (nee -wu)
*long "ee," "wu" is clipped.
THEY/THEM (used respectfully for someone not present as well) -- ಔರು ( ahoo -roo)
*the "ah-oo" is a deep dipthong, the "roo" is a tapped "r".
HE (informal) -- ಔವ್ನ (ahoo-(wuh)Nu)
*the approximant "wuh" slide is almost undetectable when spoken, but is noted when written... I think. Also, the "nu" is a slightly retroflexed "n" and it is clipped.
SHE (informal) -- ಔಳು (ahoo-(wuh)Lu)
*the "L" is a retroflex "l," and is flicked down to a normal position for the "lu" sound.
Until next time, folks.
FINALLY-
Here's a few charts with how to write most basic Kannada script, including consonants, vowels, and combinatory sounds.
(Both of these charts are from http://iguide.travel/Kannada_phrasebook, no plagiarism or anything is meant. Check their site out, its profoundly helpful.)
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