Kannada or Telugu?

robsolete · Feb 16th, 2009, 01:48

Hi all,

So I'm considering a volunteer position at a school 100km outside of Bangalore, near Madanapalli. I've been speaking with some of the administrators about languages I could try to "prime" myself with before I arrive.

I was told that the children mainly speak Kannada and Telugu. Which one, in your opinion, is better for a foreigner to learn? I'm leaning towards Telugu, as it's more related to Sanskrit (Buddhist student) and seems to be slightly more widely-spoken. But I'm curious about your opinions.

Then there's the Urdu/Hindi option as well. . . too many options!

edwardseco · Feb 16th, 2009, 05:02

Whatever the majority choice is in that area should be your guide in these circumstances..

chAos · Feb 16th, 2009, 10:23

Hindi will take you further throughout the rest of India.

I know a few people who speak either Kannada or Telugu and they can roughly understand the other, as some of the words are the same, etc.

How long will you be volunteering? I ask wondering if it's worth learning a language fairly specific to one place if you won't be spending a lot of time there. And besides, you'll pick things up as you go when you're there.

Have fun.

n kumar · Feb 16th, 2009, 20:33

Hi,
madanapalle is in andra pradesh bordering karnataka. The official language is telugu but kannada is also spoken their as it is bordering karnataka. I advice you to learn telugu if you have to or want to learn the language.

abhay · Mar 2nd, 2009, 13:14

I would recommend you learn Kannada

You could end up a mini celebrity like
this japanese expat..

Toyota Bangalore - Japanese guy "Hiroshi Chiba" singing "Haadu Santoshakke" kannada song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVd9WVr3_Ys

raoashoka · Mar 2nd, 2009, 13:27

Once in Madanapalli, I would suggest learning Telugu first. Once conversant, kannada would not be difficult to learn.

Hindi could be spoken as a common language throughout India ( particularly in big cities / metros ), but in towns like madanapalli / other towns, knowing local language would help.

Regards,
Rao

WhiteDosa · Mar 5th, 2009, 04:05

I would lean toward Telugu since you are technically in Andhra but if you think you will spend more time in Bangalore/Karnataka side you could go with Kannada. The two languages do have some similarities.

If it is short term at that location, but you may do more work throughout India, I would go with Hindi(but include basic Telugu).

webtraveller · Mar 5th, 2009, 04:26

You will learn more homely in Madanapalli with Telugu than Kannada.
So go for Telugu.
WT

palerider · Mar 5th, 2009, 09:34

Kannada is really difficult, but learnable. And most people I came across in Bangalore surrounds speak Kannada.

KABAARY · Mar 6th, 2009, 01:58

Telugu....Andhra women are prettier.

Come to think of it, the Kannada women are quite delectable too.

edwardseco · Mar 6th, 2009, 03:53

#6-8 have sound valuable advice and special note #10..

connect.gs · Jul 7th, 2009, 18:48

what did you learn?
telugu or kannada.
I bet telugu.

FutureExpat · Jul 11th, 2009, 12:41

When in Karnataka, learn Kannada

somsathi · Aug 18th, 2009, 10:39

What did you learn Telugu or Kannada?

Most of the people in bangalore they speak telugu.
but in madanapalle they speak telugu more

Regards,
Sathya

Mar 2nd, 2009, 13:14	#5
abhay Tat Tvam Asi Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 96	I would recommend you learn Kannada You could end up a mini celebrity like this japanese expat.. Toyota Bangalore - Japanese guy "Hiroshi Chiba" singing "Haadu Santoshakke" kannada song. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVd9WVr3_Ys __________________ "The hands that work are better than the hands that pray ” - Zarathustra

Mar 5th, 2009, 04:26	#8
webtraveller Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 243	Telugu is the choice You will learn more homely in Madanapalli with Telugu than Kannada. So go for Telugu. WT

Mar 5th, 2009, 09:34	#9
palerider this is Brad. He's cute Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Armidale, N.S.W., Australia Posts: 2,226	Kannada is really difficult, but learnable. And most people I came across in Bangalore surrounds speak Kannada. __________________ I always wanted to be someone when I grew up, I realise now that I should have been more specific.

Jul 7th, 2009, 18:48	#12
connect.gs Namaste! Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: India Posts: 23	what finally what did you learn? telugu or kannada. I bet telugu.

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Feb 16th, 2009, 01:48	#1
robsolete Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 11	Kannada or Telugu? Hi all, So I'm considering a volunteer position at a school 100km outside of Bangalore, near Madanapalli. I've been speaking with some of the administrators about languages I could try to "prime" myself with before I arrive. I was told that the children mainly speak Kannada and Telugu. Which one, in your opinion, is better for a foreigner to learn? I'm leaning towards Telugu, as it's more related to Sanskrit (Buddhist student) and seems to be slightly more widely-spoken. But I'm curious about your opinions. Then there's the Urdu/Hindi option as well. . . too many options!

Feb 16th, 2009, 05:02	#2
edwardseco Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Land that shakes and bakes. Posts: 5,844	Whatever the majority choice is in that area should be your guide in these circumstances..

Feb 16th, 2009, 10:23	#3
chAos I have a theory... Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: dakshin Posts: 1,334	Hindi will take you further throughout the rest of India. I know a few people who speak either Kannada or Telugu and they can roughly understand the other, as some of the words are the same, etc. How long will you be volunteering? I ask wondering if it's worth learning a language fairly specific to one place if you won't be spending a lot of time there. And besides, you'll pick things up as you go when you're there. Have fun.

Feb 16th, 2009, 20:33	#4
n kumar Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: bangalore Posts: 975	Hi, madanapalle is in andra pradesh bordering karnataka. The official language is telugu but kannada is also spoken their as it is bordering karnataka. I advice you to learn telugu if you have to or want to learn the language.

Mar 2nd, 2009, 13:27	#6
raoashoka Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Bangalore, India Posts: 22	Once in Madanapalli, I would suggest learning Telugu first. Once conversant, kannada would not be difficult to learn. Hindi could be spoken as a common language throughout India ( particularly in big cities / metros ), but in towns like madanapalli / other towns, knowing local language would help. Regards, Rao

Mar 5th, 2009, 04:05	#7
WhiteDosa Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: the bright side Posts: 18	I would lean toward Telugu since you are technically in Andhra but if you think you will spend more time in Bangalore/Karnataka side you could go with Kannada. The two languages do have some similarities. If it is short term at that location, but you may do more work throughout India, I would go with Hindi(but include basic Telugu).

Mar 6th, 2009, 01:58	#10
KABAARY Maha Guru Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: INDIA Posts: 1,262	Telugu....Andhra women are prettier. Come to think of it, the Kannada women are quite delectable too.

Mar 6th, 2009, 03:53	#11
edwardseco Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Land that shakes and bakes. Posts: 5,844	#6-8 have sound valuable advice and special note #10..

Jul 11th, 2009, 12:41	#13
FutureExpat Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 4	When in Karnataka, learn Kannada

Aug 18th, 2009, 10:39	#14
somsathi sathya Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: India Posts: 23	What did you learn Telugu or Kannada? Most of the people in bangalore they speak telugu. but in madanapalle they speak telugu more Regards, Sathya

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