Finding Home in Words: My Kannada Learning Adventure
I've been in Bangalore for around two years now, and despite the linguistic differences, this place has become more than just a temporary stop. It's a home with friends and relatable people who make the city feel warm and welcoming. My constant desire has always been to feel like a local wherever I live, and in Bangalore, that meant one crucial thing: learning Kannada.
But the language journey wasn't going to be straightforward. A subtle barrier existed everywhere — friends, colleagues, professional circles all conversed mostly in English and Hindi. Kannada became a language I would only hear in fleeting moments: from vendors selling coconut water, from cab drivers navigating the city's bustling streets.
Determined, I decided to slowly pick it up. My daily morning walk became an unexpected language classroom.
The Coconut Vendor's Language Lessons
Every morning, I'd stop at my usual coconut stall — a ritual that soon transformed into my daily dose of Kannada. The interactions started simple: “Neer kodi” (need the coconut with more water). I began tracking my daily coconut consumption, paying the vendor every Friday for the week's intake.
Our daily exchange became a playful language game. “Yeshtu aitu?” (How many?) he would ask, deliberately throwing out a number higher than my actual consumption — a gentle tease that challenged me to understand and respond correctly in Kannada.
Slowly, numbers became my first conquered territory:
- Ondu (One)
- Eradu (Two)
- Mooru (Three)
- Nalku (Four)
- Aidu (Five)
- Aaru (Six)
- Yelu (Seven)
- Yentu (Eight)
- Ombathu (Nine)
- Hatthu (Ten)
- Hatthu (Ten)
An Unexpected Mentor
A small trick to learn numbers came from an unexpected source — my building caretaker's young son. During a casual evening conversation, he shared a rhythmic poem: 'Ondu Yeradu, Balele haradu…..'
Our friendship blossomed around curious conversations. We'd talk about why bats flying in the evening sky, and he'd teach me new Kannada words and phrases. These interactions were more than language lessons; they were bridges of connection.
Breaking Barriers, One Phrase at a Time
“Illi nilse” — “please stop here”
Returning from an office party one night, I confidently used this phrase with the cab driver. His reaction was priceless.
“Kannada?” he asked, surprised.
“Nanu kannada kalithaidhini,” I responded — “I am learning Kannada.”
His amused reply, “Mast dialogue,” was accompanied by a warm smile. In that brief moment, I understood the joy locals feel when someone makes a genuine effort to connect through their language.
Acknowledgments and Inspiration
I'm grateful to the digital influencers who make regional language learning accessible and engaging. @morethankannadagottila and @kannadahindisangam have been greatly helpful.
Special thanks to my unexpected teachers:
- My office travel buddies
- The coconut vendor (anna)
- The little friend who shares language and laughter
This journey is about more than just words. It's about reducing barriers, creating connections, and transforming a new city into a second home while staying true to my roots.
Nanu Bangalore nan manege nodthaidini (I see Bangalore as my home)