Hindi is a phonetic language, meaning that the way a word is spelled corresponds to the way it is pronounced, and vice versa. So you don't find words like knife, with its mysteriously silent k, in Hindi . The basic component of the Devanagari script used in hindi is the syllable or aksara, which is typically a consonant-vowel unit. Inherent to each consonant-based syllable is a vowel, usually [a]. For example, the 'k'-based syllable is by default pronounced [ka]. In order to write a [ki] syllable, the inherent [a] vowel must be overridden by an [i] vowel. While the consonant-based syllable is the mainstay of the alphabet, a syllable can also consist of a sole vowel. All symbols of the syllabic alphabet are arranged in an order based on the phonetics of Sanskrit. First come the vowels, then the consonants. The vowels are arranged as primary vowels followed by secondary vowels. Vowels can appear in independent form (usually, in word-initial position) or in diacritic form to replace the inherent vowel of a syllable.

Special Symbols

1. Vowel suppressor: called virama, this symbol is used to suppress the inherent vowel of a syllable.
2. Nasalization marker: there is usually at least one symbol which indicates nasalization of vowels or other sounds. In Devanagari, the anusvara and the candrabindu play that role.
3. Breath marker: the visarga indicates that a sound has a breathy quality.

Its script originated (and is still the same) as ancient Sanskrit. The Dev Naagari script is also common to several other Indian languages.

The use of the special symbols varies widely from one language to another.

Pronunciation in Hindi is relatively easy since, unlike English, letters are always pronounced exactly the same way. Once you've learned it, you've got it!

Syntax

Hindi uses a different word order than English. The main differences are that verbs are placed at the end of the sentence (like in German) and that Hindi (like other Indian languages) uses postpositions instead of prepositions. Postpositions are like prepositions except that they are written after the noun.

Normal sentences

English: Subject Verb Object => I learn Hindi
Hindi: Subject Object Verb => I Hindi learn

English: Subject Verb Preposition Object => I go to the shop
Hindi: Subject Object Postposition Verb => I shop to go

Imperative sentences

English: Verb Place Adverb => Come here now
Hindi: Place Adverb Verb => Here now come

Pronunciation

Long vowels aa, ii, uu as ah, ee, oo
Short vowels a, I, u as in English "cut", "bit", "look"
ai is short as in "bat"; au is like the o in "lot"
a~,e~,I~, o~, u~ are nasalised
t' and d' are retroflexive which means they are pronounced with the tongue curled back against the roof of the mouth. An h after a consonant means it is "aspirated", in which H is sounded separately as a rush of air following the consonant.

Nouns

Nouns are of two genders, masculine and feminine. Hindi is an inflected language, which means the endings of nouns change depending on their position in a sentence. The following table gives the two cases of Hindi, Direct and Oblique.

There are no third person pronouns apart from "this", etc. and these are used for people as well as things. (They can also be used before nouns as demonstratives)

The possessives are declined like adjectives:

Verbs

The verb comes at the end of the sentence.

In general, most verbs end in -naa. You form the present or past be altering the infinitive ending -naa with -taa and adding the present or past tense of the verb "to be"

Past tense of "to be":

The verb form with the -taa ending is technically a present participle (singing,walking) and must agree with the subject like an adjective.

Hindi has a number of other inflected verb forms, but these should do for simple purposes. Auxiliary verbs follow the follow the infinitive of the main verb:

• http://www.hindivishwa.nic.in/english/lucknow.htm
• http://www.carla.acad.umn.edu/webexercises/front_page.html