This is a quick piece my friend Sophia and I wrote to help others understand what it's like to learn Hindi for English-speakers.
Learning Hindi Grammar is like playing a game with a six year-old. At the start of the game, there are rules to play by, however as the game progresses, the child often strays from the original rules of the game. These modifications are generally made to help the child. They are not always rational and there is rarely a pattern to follow. The rules are non-negotiable. It can be difficult to explain and understand why the rules are the way they are, but like playing a game with a child, you have to go with the flow. This can be frustrating in the context of learning a new language, but is crucial to making progress. The immersion process is helpful with understanding these irregular rules, but, nonetheless, it is still challenging. Like a game, learning Hindi is fun and entertaining, and the thought of eventually winning the game keeps us hopeful and determined. The "Aha" moment that comes with each small victory is rewarding, like passing "Go!" and receiving $200. It makes the struggle worthwhile, and supportive peers and teachers are like cheerleaders and make the process more fun. Moral of the story, someone will always come and bail you out of jail, and no matter how far away from "Go!" you think you are, you are just around the corner.
Learning Hindi Grammar is like playing a game with a six year-old. At the start of the game, there are rules to play by, however as the game progresses, the child often strays from the original rules of the game. These modifications are generally made to help the child. They are not always rational and there is rarely a pattern to follow. The rules are non-negotiable. It can be difficult to explain and understand why the rules are the way they are, but like playing a game with a child, you have to go with the flow. This can be frustrating in the context of learning a new language, but is crucial to making progress. The immersion process is helpful with understanding these irregular rules, but, nonetheless, it is still challenging. Like a game, learning Hindi is fun and entertaining, and the thought of eventually winning the game keeps us hopeful and determined. The "Aha" moment that comes with each small victory is rewarding, like passing "Go!" and receiving $200. It makes the struggle worthwhile, and supportive peers and teachers are like cheerleaders and make the process more fun. Moral of the story, someone will always come and bail you out of jail, and no matter how far away from "Go!" you think you are, you are just around the corner.
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