Why should I learn Kannada when I stay in Bangalore & not interested in learning it?

I found this Question on Quora and decided to answer this one in today’s post.

Some people who come to Karnataka from other States think as follows & voice it every time they meet up…………………..!

  •  “At work, I don’t need Kannad at all.”(This is the no.1 mistake most outsiders make……..calling Kannada Kannad! Irks all locals!)
  • “I don’t need Kannad as my maid has learnt my language. You know she is fluent in Telugu,Tamil,Hindi. She understands everything I tell her. Same goes for my driver. He will take the kids to school & bring supplies from the local market.”
  • “I don’t need to interact with local people”.
  • “If I need a cab or auto, the driver always knows Hindi/Tamil/English.”
  • “Furthermore, there are no Kannada people in my apartment complex, and then there is More Supermarket within the complex if I need something urgent.”
  • “Anyway, we are going to be here just for another 2 years , then why learn Kannada? After that, where will I use it?”(These people invariably end up buying property & settling in Bengaluru for life).

And even when asked the question,” Do you know Kannada? ”They will only learn to say “Kannada Gothilla” meaning “I don’t know Kannada”. The way it is said, also shows the attitude of the person towards the Kannada language and its people. It’s not really about learning the language.

  • “Anyway, Kannada people are very accommodating, they will speak to us in our own language, but they will murder the language by pronouncing incorrectly and they will make gender mistakes!”

(Just be aware that Kannadigas also feel the same way about your not learning the language & making a mess of it trying to speak gibberish. Yes, without properly learning Kannada first! Any baby speaks gibberish before he learns to speak words & sentences! Same is true here, don’t you think! )

You’re right. You don’t need to learn Kannada to stay and go about your normal routine in Bangalore. You can always find someone to help you out in English or Hindi. But, depending on the situation, you will never be helped even if they know English or your language, they are likely to turn a blind eye, because of your attitude!

Situations Where You Definitely Require Kannada

      • You are paying a bribe to get your electricity, water, sanitary and gas connection, you will need at least basic communication (talk /understand) skills in Kannada to prevent getting conned.
      • You may feel like the city police is biased and acting against you if you don’t understand what they are talking. 
      • If you are trying to buy real-estate in Karnataka, it will be good if you can understand the conversation between the broker and people in the registrar offices because most of these conversations will be in Kannada. 
      • You need to bargain a donation amount for the admission of your children to any educational institution.
      • You may need to pay bribes or varying amounts anywhere to get your work done faster without having to run around .(you will save some money if you speak in Kannada)
      • You will definitely need Kannada when any kind of emergency arises. (I am reminded of the situation where a couple lost their only child at a local mall & frantically called out to  a security guard for help. Precious minutes were lost while they tried explaining in Hindi & he understood only Kannada.)
      • You will save precious minutes & lives during medical emergencies or in case of fire accidents!

In short, knowledge of the local language is essential when you deal with locals. This is true, not just in Karnataka, but any region of the world. In addition to all of the above, knowledge of Kannada is essential when you find yourself in the following situations.

  • Want to bargain/argue/fight with local auto/cab/bus driver/conductor.
  • Want to bargain at the local market.(You will get the freshest of vegetables & fruits for a far lesser price than in the likes of Spar,More,Food World,etc.)
  • Want to hire a good maid for housework and make sure you don’t get ripped off.
  • Want to rent a flat from the local landlord.
  • Want to hire a local driver & give him instructions & directions. 
  • Want to get your idlis/vadas/dosas/roti/curries/noodles/manchurian/tea/coffee fast in local eateries. 
  • Want to get directions quickly from a local person. (in case your mobile phone’s not working). 
  • Want to give explicit directions to a delivery person/service person/cab-driver to your house without  getting exhausted.
  • Want to understand if someone’s talking ill about you or someone else in Kannada. Or perhaps they are appreciating you for making an effort to say speak in Kannada.

Super Benefit of learning a new language, even Kannada is that your brain functions improve greatly, and slows down ageing, & drastically reduces risk of Alzeihmer’s disease.

True Story: Why You Must Learn Kannada While In Bengaluru

I lost my mobile in a bus near Madivala in Bangalore.
Went to Madivala police station to report it, wrote an application in English and handed it over to the concerned person, he rejected it as it was in English and not in Kannada.

Can you imagine this happening in Bangalore ? Even auto drivers can talk in English in Bangalore.

I requested a lot as I didn’t know Kannada but he was ignorant and he didn’t accept it.

I would suggest not only learn speaking, learn writing too.

Story:Don't Ever Get Caught In This Situation Because You Didn't Learn Kannada and Thought You Can Just Say "Kannada Gothilaa" Everytime

Somewhere in Bangalore(or some part of Karnataka), A Kannadiga notices a man drinking water from a pond with his hand.

The Kannadiga shouts – “yejamanre, aa neernalli naavu dhina kundi thoLitheevi. Adhanna kuDibeDi!”

The man shouts back – “I’m not a Kannadiga, I’m in Karnataka for past 10 years and I have survived here without Kannada. I don’t understand your Kannada. Speak in English, you idiot!!”

The Kannadiga shouts back in English – “Use two hands bro, You can drink more!!”


In case you didn’t understand the above story, here’s the translation of the sentence which the Kannadiga said when he saw the man drinking water from the pond.
“Gentleman, we wash our asses in that water everyday. Please don’t drink it“
           NOW READ THE STORY AGAIN

You must have already known, Kannadigas are the most humble people. If you ask them to talk in your language, they’ll happily talk to you in your language(or the language you understand).

But if you show arrogance towards learning Kannada, they will not give up on their self respect.

So,What's Your Excuse For Not Learning Kannada While In Bengaluru?

 If your answer is that you have not yet found an awesome Kannada tutor, Click here to Contact us.

s2Member®