The Marathi language is becoming more and more popular nowadays and there are quite a few language learners who want to learn Marathi. If you’re one of them, we’re aware of your problem: there is no Marathi on Babbel, and none on Duolingo either, even though both are known as the most popular language learning apps.
However, it doesn’t mean that you can’t find any other reliable resources! In this article, we will recommend you the three best language learning resources to learn Marathi at home.
About The Marathi Language
Here are the key facts about the Marathi language:
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- It is one of the 22 recognized languages of India, and it ranks 15th in the list of languages with the most native speakers in the world.
- It has around 83 million native speakers and about 16 million second-language speakers worldwide, according to India’s 2011 census figures for Marathi.
- It belongs to the Indo-Aryan language family and it is the native language of the Marathi people and the official language of Maharashtra, a state in India.
- It is also a co-official language in the Goa state and the territory of Damaon, Diu & Silvassa in India, and it is the third most spoken language in India, after Hindi and Bengali.
- Its major dialects include Standard Marathi, Kokni, Khandeshi, and the Varhadi dialects.
Where Is Marathi Spoken?
The Marathi language is widely spoken in western and central parts of India. Its range extends from north of Mumbai down the western coast past Goa and eastward across the Deccan. It became the official language of the state of Maharashtra in 1966 and the standard Marathi dialect belongs to the city of Pune.
About The Marathi People
The Marathi people (मराठी लोक) belong to an Indo-Aryan ethnolinguistic group who are native to Maharashtra in the western part of India.
The term “Maratha” usually refers to all native speakers of the Marathi language, regardless of their caste.
A vast majority of Marathi people are practicing Hindus while other minority religious groups include Muslims, Buddhists, Jains, Christians, and Jews.
Other Spoken Languages In India
India is home to two major language families: Indo-Aryan and Dravidian which make up 98% of the spoken languages in India. Other languages spoken in India belong to the Austroasiatic and Sino-Tibetan language families.
Did you know that India doesn’t have a national language? Hindi, having the highest number of speakers, is the official language of the Indian government.
Also, the English language is widely spoken in business, administration, and education, therefore, it is called the “subsidiary official language” which makes English an important thing to know.
Each state and union territory has one or more official languages, but the Indian government recognizes 22 official languages spoken throughout the country:
- Bengali
- Hindi
- Punjabi
- Marathi
- Maithili
- Nepali
- Sanskrit
- Tamil
- Urdu
- Assamese
- Dogri
- Kannada
- Gujarati
- Bodo
- Manipuri
- Odia
- Santali
- Telugu
- Sindhi
- Malayalam
- Konkani
- Kashmiri
Is Learning The Marathi Language Hard?
Marathi is challenging for English speakers, mainly for three reasons:
- It uses a whole different non-Latin alphabet and writing system.
- Its pronunciation is unfamiliar to English speakers.
- The learning process takes longer than learning, let’s say, Spanish.
Learning a new language is always challenging but you will need to put more effort if you want to learn the Marathi language quickly. But, of course, it is possible with an efficient learning resource plus practice!
No Marathi On Babbel?: 3 Best Resources For You
As we mentioned at the beginning of this article, there are three language learning resources where you can learn Marathi instead of Babbel, and we’d like to introduce them to you. If you are also comparing platforms, see our guide on Marathi on Duolingo.
YouTube
Recently, YouTube has become the number one platform to learn anything new, and learning a new language is no exception. It’s a great place where you can get useful tips from native speakers, polyglots, and teachers.
So, we’ve discovered a channel that teaches Marathi, it is called Learn Marathi With Mahesh. You can easily access their Marathi lessons for free. They have a huge playlist ranging from daily expressions to grammar.
Italki
Italki is a brilliant language app that brings language learners and language tutors together. You can learn the Marathi language with professional help from a tutor whose native language is Marathi.
Italki is especially suitable for intermediate or above learners who already have a Marathi background. You can also find a Marathi native speaker to practice your daily conversational skills and exchange different cultures.
If you don’t mind paying tens of dollars for live lessons, you can consider purchasing regular lessons from a Marathi tutor on Italki.
Before you spend tons of money on Italki, make sure to read our Italki review here!
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Duolingo Have A Marathi Course?
No. Neither Babbel nor Duolingo offers a Marathi course. That is why learners look to other resources, such as the Ling app, free YouTube channels, or a Marathi tutor on Italki.
How Many People Speak Marathi?
Marathi has around 83 million native speakers and about 16 million second-language speakers, according to India’s 2011 census. It is the third most spoken language in India, after Hindi and Bengali.
Is Marathi Hard To Learn For English Speakers?
Marathi is challenging for English speakers because it uses a non-Latin alphabet and writing system, and its pronunciation differs from English. Expect it to take longer than a language such as Spanish. With a structured resource and regular practice it is entirely achievable.
Ling App
If you want to learn Marathi but you have zero background, the Ling app is the perfect fit for you. It is a language learning app that offers a Marathi course from a beginner to an advanced level, and it gives you:
- Interactive lessons ranging from vocabulary and grammar to speaking and listening exercises.
- A top-quality learning program, so you can master specific skills including speaking and comprehension.
- Courses in 70+ languages, so you can pick up another language whenever you are ready.
Ready to begin? Start learning the Marathi language with Ling today. Until next time!
