Language

Learning local language while on the Fulbright grant really provides a wholesome experience to the grantee and helps to integrate in the community. It helps to understanding the local culture and society deeper, until you are no longer the foreigner who speaks to them with an accent, but the foreigner who understands them. This is very true to the saying by Nelson Mandela “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.”

When interacting with locals, it is important to recognize the India’s extreme diversity in terms of society, religion and language. More than 19,500 languages or dialects are spoken in India as mother tongues and only 22 languages are recognized by the Constitution of India. While Hindi is the most widely spoken language in India, especially in the northern and western regions,  it varies widely  as you will not  see many locals talking in Hindi in Southern region of India. Depending on your place of affiliation, you can learn any local language of your choice that will help you in your day-to-day activity.

We have listed a few recommended language institutes in India. You can also reach out to USIEF staff and alumni for recommendations for local language tutors:

CLEA Awardees under Student Research category must read the CLEA Manual for further information.

Recommendations for self-studying Hindi

https://www.duolingo.com/course/hi/en/Learn-Hindi-Online