Learn Gujarati in a Month (Concise, Precise, Simplified) (Indian Language Series)

The Gujarati language has its roots in the languages of Indo Aryan family of languages like Hindi Sanskrit Urdu and Persian. Words in Gujarati language are freely borrowed form these languages but these are modified in many respects. Even the alphabet of Gujarati bear much resemblance with Devanagri alphabet. But the author of Readwell’s book Learn Gujarati in a month has chosen to teach this language through English because English is widely spoken and understand in India. Moreover those who know Hindi can learn this language easily but those who don’t know Hindi can easily but those who don’t know Hindi can easily pick up through English. The author has given some lessons in grammar so that the learners may be able to form the sentences on their own Gujarat is the native state of the father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi and Gujarati his mother tongue. So it is matter of pride to learn this language.

The Gujarati language belongs to the Indo Aryan family of language and has words common with other languages of the group, Hindi, Sanskrit even Urdu and Persian words have been modified yet Gujarati does not make any attempt to conceal their identity. These can be easily discerned. People knowing Hindi are rather in a more advantageous position inasmuch as the Gujarati alphabets are in most parts similar to the Devanagri alphabets. Even where they have been modified in Gujarati the basic structure is that of the Hindi alphabets.

In spite of this closeness with Hindi we have chosen to teach Gujarati through the medium of a foreign language English. The reason is that English by accident of history has acquired the place of a link language in India howsoever we may continue to shut our eyes to this fact of life. The English language has made such a deep dent in our national life that it alone binds the urban north with the urban south for which this book is meant.

There are author who choose to teach a language through the medium of translation. Their method is to compile a few hundred sentences generally spoken on various occasions categories them and present them to the learner in the fond belief that he needs to learn only this much. The grammar aspect of the language is ignored. To our view this method is inadequate. The learner cannot form sentences of his own because of the lack of knowledge of the rudiments of grammar. We have therefore chosen to teach grammar also so that the learner catches the language at the grassroots level and acquires self confidence.

Although great care has been taken to prepare this book yet there may be shortcomings in it. We are open to valuable suggestions and constructive criticism in our firm belief that we provide the maximum benefit to the learner.