Post by James on Jun 17, 2015 1:08:47 GMT
I just realised that we no longer have a thread on this subject! Here are a few items that I've heard of and know to be good. Comments/additions are most welcome.
Introductory Resources
Script
Online Hindi Script Tutor. I so wish this existed when I was learning Hindi, I think it's an amazing way to learn the alphabet. They should come up with an app, I'm sure they'd make money out of it! Free
Teach Yourself Beginner's Urdu Script. I used this, though now that I'm aware of other resources, I would probably have used the below C.M. Naim online free resource. Still, not a bad book. Available for purchase, inexpensive
Grammar
Teach Yourself Hindi, Rupert Snell. Used in a lot of university courses. Quite useful without intimidating grammar, offers exercises with answer key. Available for purchase, inexpensive
Introductory Urdu, C.M. Naim (Volume 1, Volume 2). A good resource for learning Urdu script. A bit more grammar focused than Snell, but still quite accessible. Definitely worth a look. Available online for FREE
Introduction to Hindi Grammar, Usha R. Jain. A good book, used in university courses, lots of methodical explanation of grammar. Many exercises, but as they're intended to be completed in a classroom setting, no answer key is available. Available for purchase, not too expensive
Outline of Hindi Grammar, R.S. McGregor. This is personally my least favourite of the texts, though others might find it useful. There are excellent drills with an answer key at the back, though, which I found very helpful. Available for purchase, reasonably priced
First Year Hindi Textbooks, H.H. Van Olphen. I have no knowledge of these books, but they're on the website of the Hindi Urdu Flagship, which is the program Rupert Snell is associated with. I'd say at least worth a look, especially since they're Available online for FREE.
Intermediate Resources
Reader
Intermediate Hindi Reader. I overall enjoyed this book. It glosses more difficult words at the end of each story which makes for relatively easy reading. Available for purchase, rather expensive Might be available elsewhere for a more reasonable price.
Hindi-Urdu Reader, Rupert Snell. Useful, though at times I found the language quite difficult (I did read this when I struggled more with Urdu, so that might partly explain why I found it difficult). Does gloss more obscure or high-level diction words at the end of each passage. Available online for FREE
Advanced Resources
Grammar
Advanced Hindi Grammar, Usha R. Jain. I found this book really helpful for tackling some of the more difficult aspects of Hindi grammar, so I do recommend it. It again suffers from the same lack of an answer key as the first book, unfortunately. Available for purchase, seems expensive I'd look around to see if it's available cheaper elsewhere.
Readers
A Premchand Reader. Beware: Premchand deals heavily with the exploitation of folk in villages, his work can be rather depressing. I still read Premchand with a dictionary on hand. Still, he's lauded as the quintessential Hindi author, so a must. Available online for FREE
Readings in Urdu: prose and poetry, C.M. Naim. Maybe this shouldn't really be advanced, but I find reading Urdu generally requires lots of effort even after you're comfortable with the script, so I've placed it here.
Available online for FREE
Urdu: Readings in literary Urdu prose. I loved this because of the high quality rendering of the Urdu script, which is extremely clear and therefore easier to decipher than most resources. I highly recommend. Has a gloss for words at the end of each story. Available for purchase, reasonably priced
Introductory Resources
Script
Online Hindi Script Tutor. I so wish this existed when I was learning Hindi, I think it's an amazing way to learn the alphabet. They should come up with an app, I'm sure they'd make money out of it! Free
Teach Yourself Beginner's Urdu Script. I used this, though now that I'm aware of other resources, I would probably have used the below C.M. Naim online free resource. Still, not a bad book. Available for purchase, inexpensive
Grammar
Teach Yourself Hindi, Rupert Snell. Used in a lot of university courses. Quite useful without intimidating grammar, offers exercises with answer key. Available for purchase, inexpensive
Introductory Urdu, C.M. Naim (Volume 1, Volume 2). A good resource for learning Urdu script. A bit more grammar focused than Snell, but still quite accessible. Definitely worth a look. Available online for FREE
Introduction to Hindi Grammar, Usha R. Jain. A good book, used in university courses, lots of methodical explanation of grammar. Many exercises, but as they're intended to be completed in a classroom setting, no answer key is available. Available for purchase, not too expensive
Outline of Hindi Grammar, R.S. McGregor. This is personally my least favourite of the texts, though others might find it useful. There are excellent drills with an answer key at the back, though, which I found very helpful. Available for purchase, reasonably priced
First Year Hindi Textbooks, H.H. Van Olphen. I have no knowledge of these books, but they're on the website of the Hindi Urdu Flagship, which is the program Rupert Snell is associated with. I'd say at least worth a look, especially since they're Available online for FREE.
Intermediate Resources
Reader
Intermediate Hindi Reader. I overall enjoyed this book. It glosses more difficult words at the end of each story which makes for relatively easy reading. Available for purchase, rather expensive Might be available elsewhere for a more reasonable price.
Hindi-Urdu Reader, Rupert Snell. Useful, though at times I found the language quite difficult (I did read this when I struggled more with Urdu, so that might partly explain why I found it difficult). Does gloss more obscure or high-level diction words at the end of each passage. Available online for FREE
Advanced Resources
Grammar
Advanced Hindi Grammar, Usha R. Jain. I found this book really helpful for tackling some of the more difficult aspects of Hindi grammar, so I do recommend it. It again suffers from the same lack of an answer key as the first book, unfortunately. Available for purchase, seems expensive I'd look around to see if it's available cheaper elsewhere.
Readers
A Premchand Reader. Beware: Premchand deals heavily with the exploitation of folk in villages, his work can be rather depressing. I still read Premchand with a dictionary on hand. Still, he's lauded as the quintessential Hindi author, so a must. Available online for FREE
Readings in Urdu: prose and poetry, C.M. Naim. Maybe this shouldn't really be advanced, but I find reading Urdu generally requires lots of effort even after you're comfortable with the script, so I've placed it here.
Available online for FREEUrdu: Readings in literary Urdu prose. I loved this because of the high quality rendering of the Urdu script, which is extremely clear and therefore easier to decipher than most resources. I highly recommend. Has a gloss for words at the end of each story. Available for purchase, reasonably priced
Since Sept. 6, 2022, Chiloka has not been reachable. (