While most people associate English with language expertise, the increasing prominence of Hindi language in Asia has also had a massive impact. Recent statistics indicate that more than 558 million people worldwide natively speak Hindi. We're no longer in an age when the Devanagari script was seen as illegible ciphers.
The list of Hindi speaking countries in the world is only increasing. There are 9 countries today where the population of fluent Hindi speakers remains more than 100,000. But does the spread of this language have a lasting impact on the world? Here's a brief overview to get you familiar.
History Of Hindi
For the longest time, Sanskrit was the dominant language within northern India. Archaeologists determined that it would have spanned thousands of years, backed by the extensive volume of historical literature unearthed within the region. It became widespread with the popularity of religious texts like the Ramayana and Mahabharata, which gave rise to Hinduism in North India.
However, the History of Hindi language saw influence from foreign languages, particularly Persian and Arabic, during the rise of the Mughal empire. Several words were introduced within the vernacular, and various official documents were far from pure Sanskrit. It was during the British reign in the 19th century when Hindi was standardised with the Devanagari script. It became more accessible to the general population and saw a massive rise post-independence. Hindi is the official language India constitution and the functioning of the Central Government.
Impact Of Globalisation On Hindi
Rulers like Raja Raja Chola had been prominent traders with several other established civilisations. That led to several cultural elements spreading through those trade routes, with evidence of early Hindu civilisations in Rome, Thailand, Japan, the Middle East, and other large kingdoms. They also referred to the contemporary Indian civilisations as "Gyan Bhumi", "Karma Bhumi", and "Land of Wisdom."
- There are over 500 million Hindi speakers.
The most famous example is the Funan Kingdom in Vietnam, referred to as the Swarna Bhumi in ancient Sanskrit texts. Even today, the international airport in Bangkok has statues of Indian gods and demons participating in the Samudra Manthan, a prominent event in Hindu mythology.
In modern times, globalisation assists with spreading Hindi language through various industries. A few notable ones include the following.
Hindi Teaching
Several public universities worldwide have realised the importance of Hindi as a significant language. Students from Pakistan, the Tibetan Plateau, and the Middle East often undertake courses in Hindi and Urdu as part of their graduate programs. It not only helps them communicate better with Indian citizens but also provides a career path. They can become fluent and create a custom course to spread their knowledge to the next generation.
- Hindi was accepted as the official language in 1950.
The public University of Philadelphia reports that Hindi is among the top 3 languages preferred on campus. Both Indo-Chinese and Indo-Japanese alumni highly praise the practicality of various Dialects of Hindi, especially when dealing with their counterparts from India. Various students have also published research papers that draw parallels between their and Indian cultures in Hindi.
Hindi In Communication Means
With several million Hindi and Urdu speakers gaining fluency, the technological world has reacted accordingly. It's pretty lucrative for tech companies to include Hindi as a means of communication. Today, you can use sites like Google, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, and other internet resources in Hindi. Social media offers better integration with the Devanagari script, allowing people to send messages in Hindi.
Virtual and augmented reality are also an integral part of people using Hindi as their preferred mode of communication. With the appropriate equipment, you can convert any text to Hindi in real-time. Google Lens can integrate the Translate function to let you read signboards, banners, and on-screen text in Hindi.
Popularity Of Hindi Media
There are several types of Hindi media gaining popularity with an international audience. Recently, Bollywood and other smaller streaming services have proved their worth with multi-million-dollar collections of various cultural projects. With RRR winning the best original score in the 2023 Academy Awards, it proved that Hindi media could receive various accolades on the world stage.
Cultural documentaries are also an essential part of the industry. There have been various pieces on Indian civilisation, the current state of affairs, and heartwarming journeys by independent artists and commercial production houses. Furthermore, songs from various backgrounds allow Hindi to be widely heard.
Learn how to speak and listen in Hindi with spoken Hindi classes online.
How Hindi Influences Other Languages
It is not that Hindi has influenced only the Asian or Indian languages; Hindi also influences many other foreign languages. The primary cause for this could be the business-oriented communities in India that were engaged in trading with foreign countries.
The language they used to communicate among themselves became popular and was further modified when it reached other languages. Moreover, many words originated from Hindi and have made their way into English, such as mango, bangle, etc.
Here are some interesting facts about Hindi and foreign languages. In nations with a significant Indian population, the mix of words with the local language is inevitable. This has led to the making of various lingua franca in the region.
A lingua franca is an auxiliary language developed by the community to make communication easier. For instance, in Fiji, Indians speak Hindi and Fijian words called Hindustani, including some English thrown into the mix. This language has been derived from the Awadhi Dialect, which has a mix of various languages like Magahi, Bhojpuri, and Bihari. Fiji Hindi is also similar to the lingua franca, Caribbean Hindustani.
If we talk about Africa, the colonial period led many Indians to enter Africa as slaves and servants. And this migration to the Africa of Indians led to adding different words to their vocabulary. Today, there are many Indians that have been a part of African culture for a long time and have influenced their speaking greatly. Using vocabulary words like Swahili or Somali is normal among the Indians of South Africa for speaking to the natives.
The Cultural Significance of Hindi Language
Hindi, also known as Hindi bhasha, holds immense cultural significance in multiple regions of the world, particularly Asia. Its influence can be seen in studies, literature, and the cultural exchange between countries.
In South Asia, including countries like India, Pakistan, and Nepal, Hindi plays a vital role in the region's cultural fabric. It is widely spoken and understood, communicating among people from diverse linguistic backgrounds.
The study of Hindi in universities and educational institutions across Asia is a testament to its cultural significance. These courses provide an overview of Hindi's evolution, its connection to other Asian languages. Students may delve into the depths of Hindi literature, exploring its vast collection of writings and analysing its impact on society. Reviews from students who have taken these courses often highlight the valuable insights gained into the region's history, politics, and cultural nuances.
Hindi serves as a bridge between different cultures, enabling communication and understanding between speakers of Hindi and other languages such as Urdu. This linguistic connection is particularly significant in the Indian subcontinent, where Hindi and Urdu share many similarities.
Moreover, the influence of Hindi extends beyond South Asia. Through trade, migration, and cultural interactions, Hindi has influenced languages across Asia, including those in the Middle East and East Asia. For instance, Hindi has contributed words and expressions to languages like Persian and Arabic, showcasing the interconnectedness of Eastern and Middle Eastern cultures.
List of Hindi speaking countries in the World
Apart from India, Hindi is spoken in:
- Suriname
- Pakistan
- Bangladesh
- Nepal
- Mauritius
- Fiji
- Singapore
- South Africa
- United Kingdom
Best Ways To Improve Your Hindi Vocabulary
Hindi language in Asia is among the most popular languages. Many higher studies are done in Hindi, offering several work opportunities. As an Asian, you may want to explore learning different languages. You may have to get familiar with a bit of Chinese when travelling to China or Japanese in Japan. Superprof has got all the qualified teachers eligible to teach various language courses.
- Millions read Hindi newspapers in India.
Whether you wish to study basic Hindi or advanced Hindi with a blend of Urdu courses, Superprof tutors have a series of lessons. Each lesson is custom designed for all the students so that they may understand it in a modern way.
Choose Superprof to find the best Hindi tutors for Hindi language lessons online at affordable rates. Course studies with Persian, Arabic, and middle eastern influence will show you how much influence Hindi has over Asia.
You can learn lessons about Hindi literature, spoken Hindi words, the history of Hindi, or poetry. Read reviews before opting for free demo lessons. The tutors available reviews, along with lesson free, will allow you to understand the teaching methods.
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Great information!!! Thanks for your wonderful informative blog.
Can you suggest any reference book about the topic
Absolutely, you can read “The Power of Influence (Hindi)” the book is available on Amazon.