Learning Kannada?

I'm in Bangalore for a few weeks and my driver (who speaks excellent english) has been teaching me Kannada. It's slow going, but I'm at least handling the small phrases.

I'd like something like the Rossetta Stone software for English/Kannada, but haven't been able to find anything. Can anyone recommend software, DVD, CD, or even just a good book for an english speaker to learn Kannada? I'd like to make some progress when I come back in a few months.

Thumba danyavaadagalu.

Nimma aasakti keli thumba mechchige aaythu

People of your kind are very rare here indeed. I have friends from north India who have been here since 15 years and still can barely understand Kannada let alone speak a few phrases.

Although i havent seen any books, keeping this in mind, i am sure you will find something at Gangarams book store, MG Road. Even CDs perhaps.
There is the very old series of Learn Kannada in 30 Days
This book should be available in many book stores here in Bangalore. I havent gone through the book myself but it should get you going.

Nimage Shubhavaagali

Hi,
Nice to know you are soo interested in kannada. As the previous post said there are many living in Bangalore who dont know to speak the local language. I appreciate the fact that you being a foreigner, you are soo interested in learning kannada.
Nimage nanna namaskara
Here are a few links..plss try them..it might help u..but still the best way to learn it is to try and speak kannada with local people.


Basic sentences in kannada
http://www.udupipages.com/home/pages/kanada1.html
http://www.languageshome.com/English-Kannada.htm

learning guides
http://learning.sampada.net/

learning kannada through audio
http://www.cs.toronto.edu/~kulki/kannada/varna.html

You can also buy a few books in any of the book stores around the town.

Great to hear about your endeavour, Sauceman! Most Bangaloreans will be surprised (pleasantly) to hear this though, like Iam...

Good luck and enjoy your stay in Bangalore!

Thanks for all the help. My driver delivered a dog-eared copy of "Learn Kannada in 30 Days". This is a very tough language to pronounce!

All of the locals that I say "Hege idirha?" to are quite surprised!

There are Kannada classes conducted for non-Kannadigas by Kannada Prasara Parishat. Last time I checked, it was being held in Kannada Bhavana on JC Road. It will be ideal for those who prefer fast-track "classroom" type things.

Best wishes for your Kannada discovery.

Chk this out..

http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/plc/kannada/lesson1.html

Is there any institute where I can learn Kannada over the weekends in or around Koramangala or HSR Layout?

Hello there, planning to learn Kannada too. I think I'll buy the book that Dooms recommends once I get to Bangalore, but I've checked the few links on this thread and they're quite old. Anyone know any other good website to learn Kannada with audio?

Thanks in advance,

Ayesha.

A good way to learn is to watch some good old Kannada movies , perhaps some members here can recommend a few. Preferably those made in the 70's and early s 80's, movies like Ranganayake, Minchina ota, Sipaye Ramu etc.

Good advice, I'll try to find some of the movies online...but it'll be tough as I don't have a clue of Kannada.

It is best to watch it along with someone who knows Kannada, preferably DVD's with subtitles.

Rajkumar & Vishnuvardhan movies are better for diction! These 2 guys apart from many other actors (Ofcourse ) spoke Kannada very well, in my opinion.

Another actor is 'Anant Nag'! - watch 'Ganeshana Maduve', very hilarious movie but Anant Nag speaks such good Kannada, it is a treat to listen to him.

I tired all the books and by far the best is 'Conversational Kannada: A microwave Approach' (With CD) by ND Krishnamurthy and UP Upadhyaya. I just did a search and found an article about it (http://www.timeoutbengaluru.net/bang...s/lipi-service). It's a very well put together book. I think the learn Kannada in 30 days is pretty bad to be honest, but I guess it can help with the script.

the 30 days series of books are at best a basic introduction to the indian languages.

I have found very few places in bangalore where they speak kannada, and i appreciate all of you all who want to atleast make an attempt at learning the language. Part of the problem is perhaps the migrant ratio is very high.

Good luck.

PS : I know this is an old thread, so by now, you must all be experts..or have given up hopes completely.