Have you ever wondered how to learn Marathi language? If yes, then it is important to know that to learn any language, you must have an idea about its whereabouts. Since the Marathi language has a rich history and culture, it has a fascinating origin story that belongs to the Indo-Aryan family of languages, with its roots in ancient India. The evolution of Marathi can be traced back over a thousand years from now. Fascinating, isn’t it? Now, let’s dive deep into its history!
Learn About Marathi Language
Marathi's journey begins with its emergence from the Maharashtri Prakrit, an old Prakrit language used in Maharashtra, a western state of India. This early form of Marathi was spoken and written in inscriptions during the rule of the Satavahana dynasty around 230 BCE. Over time, Maharashtri Prakrit changed, influenced by various linguistic and cultural factors, leading to the development of what we now recognise as Marathi.
The earliest literary works in Marathi are from the 13th century, which is known as the "Old Marathi" period.
The famous saint-poet Dnyaneshwar wrote his devotional commentary on the Bhagavad Gita, called "Dnyaneshwari," during this time. His work was instrumental in establishing Marathi as a literary language and bringing it closer to its modern form.
Marathi During the Medieval
During the medieval period, Marathi went through transformations due to interactions with Persian, Arabic, and other regional languages. The influence of these languages, along with the rise of the Bhakti movement, further shaped Marathi's vocabulary and syntax. This period also saw the creation of the "Nath Sampradaya" literature, a significant cultural contribution.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's Historical Era
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's historical era was the 17th century. He was born on February 19, 1630, and he passed away on April 3, 1680. Shivaji Maharaj was a prominent Maratha warrior, king, and the founder of the Maratha Empire in India during a period when the Indian subcontinent was under the rule of various Mughal and regional kingdoms.
His reign and the establishment of the Maratha Empire played a significant role in shaping the political landscape of that time.
His strategies are still taught in schools and top universities as they were far ahead of his era. IIM's in India teaching Shivagi Maharaj's management and leadership techniques in their MBA programs.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was not only a great leader, but his words and wisdom inspired generations ahead of him. His leadership style and ability has immortalized his legacy in Maharashtrian folklore and stories.
Here are some of his most inspiring quotes in Marathi and English:
Modern Form
The modern form of Marathi began to take shape in the 19th century with the efforts of social reformers and thinkers like Jyotirao Phule and Lokmanya Tilak. They played a crucial role in standardizing Marathi grammar, making it more accessible and consistent for a wider audience. The publication of newspapers, literary works, and educational materials contributed to Marathi's widespread usage.
In 1966, Marathi was officially recognised as the state language of Maharashtra, solidifying its significance and ensuring its continued growth and preservation.
Today, Marathi stands as a language of art, literature, cinema, and everyday communication for millions of people. It can be said that the journey of Marathi Language from Maharashtri Prakrit to its modern form showcases the resilience and adaptability of this remarkable linguistic heritage.
Now, there are various ways of learning Marathi language and here, we will discuss them all!
जे लोक तुमचे परीक्षा पाहण्याचे प्रयत्न करतात, त्याचे निकाल लावण्याचे सामर्थ्य स्वतः जवळ ठेवा.
(Keep the ability to judge those who try to test you.)
How to Start Speaking Marathi?
Marathi speaking might feel challenging initially, but remember that every step you take brings you closer to your goal. To start speaking any new language, you will first need to speak slowly. Follow these simple tips:
Find Your native Speaker
This is the most basic thing you will come across. Until you find a native Marathi speaker, you will not be able to have a conversation in Marathi. For this, you can approach your Marathi tutor or any other member of the family, friends or the like.
Start with the Marathi alphabet, which consists of 13 vowels and 36 consonants. Familiarize yourself with the script to read and write in Marathi.
Start with Basic Marathi Sentences such as:
"What's your name?"
"तुमचं नाव काय आहे?"
"How is your day going?"
"तुमचा दिवस कसा आहे जात आहे?"
"I'm fine, thank you."
"माझं ठीक आहे, धन्यवाद."
"Good morning."
"तुम्ही कसे आहात?"
Learn Marathi Numbers 1-10
Learning Marathi numbers is easy and useful. Begin with basic numbers like "ek" (one), "don" (two), "teen" (three), and so on. Practicing numbers will help you with everyday tasks like counting, telling time, and shopping.
Begin by learning the numbers from 1 to 10 in Marathi. Here are the Marathi numbers from 1 to 10 along with their pronunciation:
- 1: एक (Ek)
- 2: दोन (Don)
- 3: तीन (Tin)
- 4: चार (Chaar)
- 5: पाच (Paach)
- 6: सहा (Saha)
- 7: सात (Saath)
- 8: आठ (Aath)
- 9: नऊ (Nau)
- 10: दहा (Daha)
For tens, you can say "एक-वीस" (Ek-Vees) for 20, "तीन-तिस" (Teen-Tis) for 30, and so on.
For decimals, add the number after "एक" (Ek) for 11, "दोन" (Don) for 12, and so forth.
Learn Marathi Months and Weekdays
Here are the Marathi names for months and weekdays:
Months (महिने)
- जानेवारी (Jānevārī) - January
- फेब्रुवारी (Phebruvaarī) - February
- मार्च (Mārch) - March
- एप्रिल (Ēpril) - April
- मे (Me) - May
- जून (Jūn) - June
- जुलै (Julai) - July
- ऑगस्ट (Ōgast) - August
- सप्टेंबर (Sapṭēmbar) - September
- ऑक्टोबर (Ōkṭōbar) - October
- नोव्हेंबर (Nōvhēmbar) - November
- डिसेंबर (Ḍisēmbar) - December
Weekdays (आठवड्याचे दिवस)
- सोमवार (Sōmavār) - Monday
- मंगळवार (Maṅgaḷavār) - Tuesday
- बुधवार (Budhavār) - Wednesday
- गुरुवार (Guruvār) - Thursday
- शुक्रवार (Śukravār) - Friday
- शनिवार (Śanivār) - Saturday
- रविवार (Ravivār) - Sunday
Follow Your Native Speaker
You must ensure that you are following your native speaker well when it comes to spoken Marathi. Follow their style of speaking, pronunciation or dialects, and sentence formation.
Begin by learning common Marathi words and phrases. You can use language learning apps, textbooks, or online resources for this purpose.
Learn from Your Errors
It is very natural to make mistakes while speaking a new language. However, your native speaker will help you point out your mistakes. So, repeat yourself and learn while you speak.
Speaking is the key to language acquisition. Don't hesitate to start speaking from the beginning, even if you make mistakes.
Practice Every Day
Consistency is key to language learning. Set aside a few minutes each day to practice speaking Marathi. Whether it is talking to yourself, practising with a friend, or even recording your voice, regular practice will make a noticeable difference.
Be Patient
Learning any language takes time and effort. Mistakes are a natural part of the learning process. Don't be discouraged by them. Instead, view them as opportunities to learn and grow. With practice and perseverance, you'll see steady improvement in your speaking skills.
How to Learn Marathi Online?
Although learning Marathi online will have the same procedure, starting from the basic alphabet to words, phrases and then the formation of sentences, the learning approach would be more personalized.
Online learning offers you several benefits; the ease of learning will help you grab your lesson faster. Adapt these steps to suit your learning style and pace. With dedication, you will gradually build your skills and confidence in speaking, reading, and understanding Marathi. Here are the steps to learn Marathi online:
Choose Online Resources
Explore websites, apps, and platforms that offer Marathi language learning. Look for ones that are user-friendly and cater to beginners. Duolingo, Babbel, Memrise, and Rosetta Stone are some popular options. Once you've chosen a platform, sign up by creating an account. You'll need to provide your email address, create a password, and possibly choose a username. If you're using an app, download it from the App Store or Google Play.
Select Your Level of Learning
Once you have selected your platform, you may find several levels of learning: beginner, intermediate, and advanced. Most of the lessons are tailored accordingly, so choose the one that is apt for you.
Set Your Time
Dedicate a specific time each day for learning Marathi online. Consistency is key to retaining what you learn. Set aside 15-30 minutes daily to make steady progress.
Interactive Lessons
Engage with interactive lessons provided by the platform. These might include listening exercises where you match spoken words to images, reading exercises to understand sentences, and writing exercises to practice forming sentences.
Vocabulary Building
Focus on expanding your vocabulary. Learn words related to various themes such as food, travel, family, and emotions. These words will help you communicate effectively in different situations.
Marathi Grammar
The first step to learning Marathi is by forming basic Marathi sentences. For this, you need to understand the Marathi sentence structure. As Marathi is similar to Hindi, you will find learning Hindi can help you in understanding Marathi as well.
Explore basic Marathi grammar, learn how sentences are structured, how verbs change based on tenses, and how to form questions. Grammar knowledge is crucial for constructing accurate sentences.
Practice Repeating And Listening To Words
Listen to each word and repeat it several times to polish your pronunciation while learning. This will also ensure that words or phrases are memorized more easily. Marathi is all about pronunciation, get them right and you'll find your language skills improving as well. Watch Marathi movies, to understand new words and improve your vocabulary.
With the help of Marathi songs, podcasts, and watching movies or TV shows with subtitles, you can create your environment for learning Marathi. As a non-Marathi speaker, you must surround yourself with a native speaker. This exposes you to naturally spoken Marathi and helps you understand different accents and contexts.
Find Language Exchange Partners
Connect with native Marathi speakers online through language exchange platforms. You can offer to help them learn your language while they help you with Marathi. Conversations with native speakers enhance your real-life communication skills.
Reading is Important
Read beginner-level articles, stories, or news in Marathi. Start with shorter texts and gradually move on to more complex ones. Reading louder will boost your pronunciation as well.
Marathi is a historical language and is spoken widely and proudly by millions of Maharashtrians across India. Understanding and learning the Marathi language requires an immersive experience.
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