Hindi

The Duke Hindi program is founded on conversational Hindi. All 4 levels of Hindi—from beginning Hindi to advanced classes—develop improvisational skills in conversation as the foundation for advanced linguistic facility. Beginning classes use samples from Bollywood and cable to supplement grammar exercises. Advanced classes include texts from newspapers, magazines, non-fiction works of analysis and evocative literary material.

The Hindi program offers instruction only in Hindi.  Instruction in other South Asian languages such as Bengali, Nepali, Panjabi, Sanskrit, Sinhala, Tamil, and Urdu is regrettably not available in AMES.

Placement in a Hindi language class follows the AMES department placement policy.

These guidelines are intended to acquaint you with levels of Hindi classes and to help you pick out the right course for you prior to finalization by the official placement. A self-placement has to be confirmed or corrected by a formal placement assessment. Contact the coordinator (Satti Khanna) or the lecturer (Kusum Knapczyk kusum.knapczyk@duke.edu)

Self-Assessment Guidelines

Find the statement that best describes your experience in Hindi, and follow the instructions. 

I have never studied or been exposed to Hindi. 
  • Enroll in HINDI 101 (Elementary Hindi)
My parents speak Hindi to me: Sometimes they do, but I hardly understand them.
  • Enroll in HINDI 101 (Elementary Hindi)
My parents speak Hindi to me: I understand them, but cannot speak well. I know the Hindi script but do not understand what I read.
  • Enroll in HINDI 102 (Elementary Hindi)
I watch Bollywood films with interest: I can follow the principal events but do not understand the dialogue.
  • Enroll in HINDI 101 (Elementary Hindi)
I watch Bollywood films with interest: I understand the dialogue, but cannot speak Hindi well. I know the Hindi script but do not understand what I read.
  • Enroll in HINDI 102 (Elementary Hindi)
I speak Hindi with my parents and friends: I can communicate about basic things in Hindi with some effort, and can read and understand sentences slowly.
  • Enroll in HINDI 203 (Intermediate Hindi) 
I speak Hindi with my parents and friends: I can speak everyday Hindi fairly fluently, and am able to read and write simple passages.
  • Enroll in HINDI 204 (Intermediate Hindi) or higher 
I attended a Hindi-medium school OR studied Hindi in school: I attended a Hindi-medium school for less than 2 years.
  • Enroll in HINDI 305 (Advanced Hindi) or higher 
I attended a Hindi-medium school OR studied Hindi in school: I studied Hindi in school for more than 2 years.
  • Enroll in HINDI 306 (Advanced Hindi) or higher
I attended secondary school in India: I took Hindi classes for at least 2 years.
  • Enroll in HINDI 407 or 408 (Issues in Hindi Language and Society I or II)

Note on learning the Hindi script:

Those who do not know the Hindi script but wish to be placed, on the basis of speaking/understanding skills, in a higher class, should learn the script on their own prior to the placement interview (contact the coordinator or instructor for help). The online SOAS site http://www.avashy.com/hindiscripttutor.htm is recommended for script practice. If there is sufficient interest, the Hindi program will run a script workshop in April to prepare students for appropriate placement in the Fall. (Hindu script practice.)

Hindi Conversation Club, Fall 2020 via Zoom

Dates: Sept. 24, 5 pm; Oct. 29, 5 pm; Nov. 26, 5 pm

https://duke.zoom.us/j/93243716591?pwd=djk5azFBeTBpL0p4L1NYNWtwRTNtdz09

Meeting ID: 932 4371 6591
Passcode: 461112

All abilities and levels of Hindi speakers are welcome. Make new friends while practicing your Hindi!

Duke Related Programs

Scholarships for Hindi-Urdu students

Online Newspaper and Magazines

Study Tools

Hindi Tutoring by Duke Peer Tutors

Do you need help in writing, reading, listening, and speaking in elementary and intermediate Hindi courses? Please contact the excellent Duke peer tutors.

Simran Prakash- Tuesday 6-7PM (simran.prakash@duke.edu)

Sarabesh Natarajan- Wednesday 8-9PM and Sunday 6-7PM. (sarabesh.natarajan@duke.edu)

https://arc.duke.edu/tutoring/courses

Famous and best TV serials in India

  • Satyamev Jayte सत्यमेव जयते - Social issues
  • Malguri days मालगुडी डेज़- based on R. K. Narayan’s stories
  • Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai साराभाई वर्सेज़ साराभाई- Comedy
  • Baa, Bahoo aur Baby बा, बहू और बेबी- family and society
  • Crime patrol क्राइम पट्रोल– India’s crime and police system
  • Yes boss येस बॉस- Comedy
  • Rishta.com रिश्ता.कॉम -comedy, social issues, relationship
  • Kaun banega karorpati कौन बनेगा करोड़पति -A game show
  • Bade acche lagte hain बड़े अच्छे लगते हैं -family drama

All-time hit Bollywood movies

  1. Mughal-e-azam मुग़ले आज़म
  2. Guide गाइड
  3. Sholey शोले
  4. Jeweltheif ज्वैलथीफ
  5. Deewar दीवार
  6. Dilwale Dulhania le jaayenge दिलवाले दुल्हनिया ले जाएंगे
  7. Kabhi khushi kabhi gam. कभी ख़ुशी कभी गम
  8. Om Shanti Om ओम शांति ओम
  9. 3 idiots 3 इडियट्स
  10. Dil to pagal hai. दिल तो पागल है
  11. Omkara ओमकारा
  12. Munna Bhai MBBS मुन्ना भाई एमबीबीएस
  13. Lagaan लगान
  14. Rang de Basanti रंग दे बसंती
  15. Gadar-ek prem katha ग़दर- एक प्रेम कथा
  16. Hum aapke hain kaun हम आपके हैं कौन
  17. Barfi बर्फी
  18. Devdas देवदास
  19. English Vinglish इंग्लिश विंग्लिश 
  20. Jab we met जब वी मैट
  21. Band baajaa baaraat बैंड बाजा बारात 
  22. Love aaj kal लव आज कल 
  23. Arth अर्थ 
  24. Lunch box लंच बॉक्स 
  25. Saathiya साथिया 
  26. Baagwaan बागवान 
  27. Raja Hindustani राजा हिंदुस्तानी 
  28. Sarfarosh सरफ़रोश 
  29. Dhoom धूम 
  30. Dil chahta hai दिल चाहता है 
  31. Koi mil gaya कोई मिल गया 
  32. Bazaar बाज़ार 
  33. Khaaki ख़ाकी
  34. Dangal दंगल
  35. Bajrangi Bhaijan बजरंगी भाईजान
  36. Udta Punjab उड़ता पंजाब
  37. Queen क्वीन
  38. Tare zameen par तारे ज़मीन पर
  39. Dor डोर
  40. Hindi medium हिंदी मीडियम

Hindi Language Program Coordinator

Kusum Knapczyk

Hindi Program Faculty