Hindustani: The Language of a Subcontinent

TLDRHindustani is a pluricentric language spoken in the Hindustan region, with Hindi and Urdu being its two standard varieties. It has a rich history influenced by Persian and Arabic, and is spoken by over 538 million people. While the written forms differ, the spoken language is largely the same. Learning Hindustani provides access to both Hindi and Urdu, and opens up countless opportunities to communicate and connect with people.

Key insights

🗣️Hindustani is a pluricentric language with two standard varieties: Hindi and Urdu.

🌍Hindustani is spoken by over 538 million people worldwide.

🇮🇳Urdu is the official language of Pakistan, while Hindi and English are the official languages of India.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑Hindi and Urdu speakers can easily communicate with each other, with some minor vocabulary and accent variations.

✨Learning Hindustani provides access to both Hindi and Urdu, and opens up countless opportunities for communication and connection.

Q&A

What is the difference between Hindi and Urdu?

—While Hindi and Urdu are spoken variants of Hindustani, the written forms have diverged due to cultural and religious differences. Hindi draws more on Sanskrit vocabulary, while Urdu uses more Persian and Arabic vocabulary.

How many people speak Hindustani?

—Hindustani is spoken by over 538 million people worldwide, with 324 million native speakers of either Hindi or Urdu.

Is Urdu the language of Pakistan?

—Urdu is one of the official languages of Pakistan, along with English. However, only 8% of the population are native Urdu speakers.

Can I learn Hindustani?

—Yes, Hindustani is learnable, especially if you already speak an Indo-European language. While there may be some differences in grammar and vocabulary, the similarities with other Indo-European languages make it easier to learn.

Can Hindi and Urdu speakers understand each other?

—Yes, Hindi and Urdu speakers can easily understand each other. While there might be minor vocabulary variations, the spoken language is largely the same.

Timestamped Summary

00:00Introduction to Hindustani and its significance

04:10Historical influences on Hindustani, including Persian and Arabic

08:36The divergence of Hindi and Urdu as written forms

10:41The similarities and differences between Hindi and Urdu

06:02Hindustani as a pluricentric language with Hindi and Urdu as standard varieties

10:31The number of speakers and global reach of Hindustani

09:00Learning Hindustani and its benefits for communication

10:46Conclusion and call for comments

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