9780071419840

Now learning non-Roman-alphabet languages is as easy as A-B-C!Readers wanting to learn the basics of reading and writing a new language that employs script will find all they need in the Teach Yourself Beginner's Script series. Each book includes a step-by-step introduction to reading and writing in a new language as well as tips and practice exercises to build learners' skills. Thanks to the experts at Teach Yourself, script will no longer be all "Greek" to language learners--unless of course, it is Greek script!Teach Yourself Beginner's Script series books feature: Origins of the language A systematic approach to mastering the script Lots of "hands-on" exercises and activities Practical examples from real-life situations

Robert Snell teaches Hindi at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London.

Preface: How to use this book

viii

Unit 1 Introducing Devanagari

1

(14)

The Devanagari script: its history and significance

1

(1)

Transliteration

2

(1)

Languages and scripts in India

2

(4)

Hindi and Urdu

6

(3)

How Devanagari works: a 'garland of syllables'

9

(1)

Conjunct characters

10

(1)

Purity of vowels

10

(1)

Aspirated and unaspirated consonants

11

(1)

Retroflex and dental consonants

12

(1)

What you see and what you get

13

(2)

Unit 2 The Devanagari syllabary

15

(4)

Independent vowel characters

15

(1)

Consonants

15

(1)

Dependent vowel signs (combined with k)

15

(1)

Dotted characters

16

(3)

Unit 3 Consonants

19

(11)

Velar consonants

20

(1)

Palatal consonants

21

(1)

Retroflex consonants

22

(2)

Dental consonants

24

(1)

Labial consonants

25

(2)

Semi-vowels etc.

27

(1)

Sibilants

27

(1)

Aspirate

28

(2)

Unit 4 Vowels

30

(17)

Vowel characters

30

(3)

Vowel signs

33

(11)

Nasalised vowels and candrabindu

44

(3)

Unit 5 Simple sentences and commands

47

(4)

Unit 6 Conjunct consonants

51

(21)

Special conjunct forms

56

(2)

Conjuncts with ra

58

(3)

The conjunct jña

61

(1)

Conjuncts of three or more consonants

62

(1)

Using virãm instead of a conjunct

63

(1)

Conjuncts using anusvãr

64

(3)

When the inherent vowel remains silent

67

(5)

Unit 7 Some more writing conventions

72

(10)

Numerals

72

(1)

Punctuation

73

(2)

Abbreviations

75

(1)

Visarg

76

Avagrah

71

(6)

The pranav, om

77

(1)

Writing English words in Devanagari

78

(4)

Unit 8 More about Hindi words and spellings

82

(8)

Some dog-fights over conjunct forms

82

(1)

Where does Hindi vocabulary come from?

83

(3)

Gender in Hindi

86

(4)

Appendix 1: Examples of Hindi handwriting

90

(4)

Appendix 2: Minimal pairs

94

(6)

Appendix 3: Reading practice

100

(14)

Appendix 4: Key to the exercises

114

(3)

Appendix 5: The figures explained

117

(4)

Appendix 6: Index of terms

121

(2)

Glossary

123

(40)

Some further reading

163

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Teach Yourself Beginner's Hindi Script

Teach Yourself Beginner's Hindi Script

0071419845

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials