Urdu

AnGeL_EyEs · July 30, 2006, 3:25pm

Do you think that the Urdu language will become or is becoming obsolete in the West?

In your opinion, what is the importance (if any) in teaching your children Urdu in the West?

Krypton · July 30, 2006, 3:51pm

Re: Urdu

ud hv to tach 4 like ur family and paki ppl
and so they know there culture

AnGeL_EyEs · July 30, 2006, 4:02pm

Re: Urdu

that's quite difficult dont u think?...especially if English is your primary language and you end up married to a non-urdu speaking person (which will be the case with each passing generation here in the west) besides not like family (most of them) cant speak or understand english.

is it even worth the struggle?

Ex-Guppan · July 30, 2006, 4:05pm

Re: Urdu

I think it’s becoming obsolete in Pk too. Ppl don’t speak a complete sentence in Urdu, use one english word after almost every urdu word … lolzz

Here, people don’t pay attention and children born and raised here end up communicating in english bwteen themeselves and in Urdu with their parents. So the quality has clearly deteriorated. They talk like totlay can’t even pronounce the “r” in words like “bara”, or “pahar”, or “larki” etc.

I think the solution is to speak to kids in complete urdu (not gulabi urdu) and tell them to speak urdu with their siblings too, otherwise that time is not far when the coming generation won’t know nothing of Urdu.

Ex-Guppan · July 30, 2006, 4:07pm

Re: Urdu

Yes it is AE. We shud make the effort to the best possible. Otherwise it wud die soon

AnGeL_EyEs · July 30, 2006, 4:14pm

Re: Urdu

but no matter how much urdu one speaks to parents and siblings…they wont be urdu speaking…english will always be the primary language. So when it comes time to have their own kids…its quite difficult to explain things and teach them things while speaking in urdu. how on earth can you teach your children about life and death in urdu if you think in english. you know what i mean?

besides…sure you can speak urdu all you want…but what if u marry a non-urdu speaking guy…what then?

Ex-Guppan · July 30, 2006, 4:41pm

Re: Urdu

^^ Hmmmmm pher teh dou dou palnay peh gaye

I still believe speaking the language helps. We have to make an effort too. I know living here for so long has made us think and speak in English comfortably. Rencetly, I have started to make an effort to speak more urdu, and punjabi too. But since we always spoke Punjabi at home, strictly, am perfectly fine with Punjabi and I guess even my urdu is still much better than a lot of Urdu speaking …lolllzz

Dushwari · July 30, 2006, 4:54pm

Re: Urdu

i think one way you can save it from becoming archaic, is that speak it and then document the works done by writers in Urdu language.

read urdu story books to the children. also without a reservation, teach and encourage the next generations to speak it with anyone who speaks urdu - and train them to become bilinguals. so that they know english to communicate in non-urdu speakers yet know that their real language is urdu.

& i even invite the english speaking friend and colleagues to pick up key conversational one-words from urdu and now when i say these words, they know what i mean.

Krypton · July 30, 2006, 4:56pm

Re: Urdu

i feel kids need to know it cuz its ur culture ...and mayb it will also make thm relaize a bit about their relgion and heritage

many of my firneds barely know urdu....and dont hv muhc to do with islam either

AnGeL_EyEs · July 30, 2006, 4:59pm

Re: Urdu

knowing urdu and being religious or not have nothing to do with each.

Krypton · July 30, 2006, 5:03pm

Re: Urdu

but most urdu speaking ppl are muslims
otherwise ur kids cud forget who they r...which is pakistani/ muslim
or arabic 4 u
its not like u wudnt teach ur kids arabic
and my italian friends knows italian

so i gess its just makes u, u and parents feel more comfrotable

Amani06 · July 30, 2006, 5:21pm

Re: Urdu

Well im married to a white convert but i speak to my little girl in Urdu. I think its important for her esp as i do go to desi weddings, functions etc and so does my hubby. I know it doesnt matter what ppl think, but i dont want ppl pointing the finger at her when shes older saying "oh she doesnt know anything cos her dads white (even though hes muslim!). Plus id like her to b able to understand whats being said and join in conversations when shes older.

Ex-Guppan · July 30, 2006, 5:32pm

Re: Urdu

^^ Well done. That shud be the spirit and approach

AnGeL_EyEs · July 30, 2006, 5:35pm

Re: Urdu

how little is ur little girl?

i want to teach my kids urdu as well....but if the parents arent speaking it to each other.....the kid wont either. epseically when they start going to school.

Ex-Guppan · July 30, 2006, 5:40pm

Re: Urdu

AE make an effort and be consistent and trust me it will work. What lanugage does ur partner speak?

Amani06 · July 30, 2006, 5:40pm

Re: Urdu

Awww thank u Larki-NY:blush:

Angel Eyes: My daughter is nearly 2 and half. She understands quite a lot and answers in urdu to me as well. She started talking early but she didnt walk till she was abt 2 yrs 2 months! Nearly did my back in carrying her around for that long! Its funny though cos hubby sees it as an opportunity for him to learn Urdu as well. However he speaks to her in English but i make sure my mum talks to her in Urdu.

AnGeL_EyEs · July 30, 2006, 5:58pm

Re: Urdu

i dont have a partner yet

Krypton · July 30, 2006, 5:59pm

Re: Urdu

u will soon

AnGeL_EyEs · July 30, 2006, 6:00pm

Re: Urdu

most kids in my family spoke and understood urdu before they started school. later then started speaking english…especially in households where the parents are speaking to each other in english.

AnGeL_EyEs · July 30, 2006, 6:01pm

Re: Urdu

lifeless ki bachiiiii