10 Free Resources to Learn Marathi Without Spending a Penny
Ideally, learning a language is something we should be able to do by age seven. Research shows us that this age is the “critical period” for language learning; when it is an almost unconscious and natural process. Of course this is often not possible and there are many reasons for adults to want to learn a new language: doing so helps us enrich travel experiences, develop our career prospects, do better in school, learn about new cultures and more. Sometimes, learning a new language could simply be a challenge you set for yourself; a form of self-improvement.
Of course, learning a language as an adult may require the learner to undergo some expense. However, there are many free language learning resources as well. Let us check out just 10 free resources to learn Marathi – without spending a penny!
Archive.org
The Internet Archive or archive.org is a great free resource for any language learner. The non-profit organisation offers access to books, internet sites, applications, analogue media that has been digitised, print media such as magazines and much more via its platform. It can be a very useful resource for the Marathi learner, particularly if one is already familiar with the Devanagari script (since Marathi also uses this script). Marathi translations of classical texts, Marathi lessons, audio, stories, Marathi kids’ books & magazines and much more can be found here.
Google Translate
This is a vital free resource for anyone struggling to make sense of an unfamiliar language. Not only does it translate from any language to another, it also reads. Here’s how that is so useful: It is possible that someone is familiar with a smattering of spoken Marathi, but is unable to read the written word. If so, one can simply copy and paste the unintelligible words into Google Translate and quickly understand with it all means – whether it is just a word or phrase or a long essay. Also, some of us have the TLDR problem (too long didn’t read). Google Translate also helps transform words from one language they are less proficient with or slower to read, into a language that one is more proficient with and can read faster.
YouTube videos in Marathi
YouTube videos are a great resource for Marathi learners. There are several YouTube channels specially created to help people learn Marathi: conversational Marathi, Marathi grammar, lessons based on school curricula and more. There are also other Marathi YouTube channels that will help the student of Marathi: news channels, humour channels, Marathi stand-up comics, Marathi cooking shows, story narrations and much more. All of these will help one become more conversant with Marathi and become more familiar with formal terms, colloquiums and informal slang.
Shivanshi Srivastava
Marathi podcasts
Like YouTube channels to help learn Marathi, various different types of podcasts can be very useful for the Marathi learner as well. Again, these can be podcasts that superficially teach Marathi or can be other shows relating to news, humour, storytelling etc. This can be a great way to learn Marathi on the go: while driving, walking, jogging, doing chores and so on.
Reena Daruwalla
Barakhadi
Barakhadi is a web based Marathi language learning platform that offers step by step learning live, in an interactive manner. While available for subscription, the platform also offers free resources to help learn Marathi: conversation activity, vocabulary activity, writing activity and so on. It is designed to help parents who want their kids to learn their mother tongue and effectively communicate with older relatives. It helps younger kids feel pride in the rich linguistic and cultural traditions of Maharashtra.
Marathi Dictionary
This multilingual dictionary is another free Marathi learning resource. The student of Marathi can refer to this anytime they want to know what a word means or need to find a particular word to communicate with a Marathi speaker. You can simply put the word in the search box and choose the language from the drop down menu to have your queries answered. Learners can also check out trending terms and their meanings on this website.
Language learning apps
There is no dearth of mobile apps that will help one learn the Marathi language: conversational Marathi, reading Marathi, Marathi grammar, school lessons… help is at hand. Many of these apps are free Marathi learning resources, while some have a subscription based or paid models. There are also Marathi learning apps with a freemium model, where some features are available for free while other more advanced features are paid.
People
One of the best ways to learn a language is just to take the plunge and speak it. This is what I found when I was first learning Marathi. Sure, sometimes people would laugh at my muddled Marathi, but most often they would appreciate my efforts and take the trouble to help or correct me. Believe me, speaking to the local cop in Marathi instantly makes the poor harried guy feel more kindly towards the person making the effort to speak his language!
Shopping and marketing
Don’t just try Marathi with family, colleagues and neighbours. Try it (even rudimentary Marathi) out when you are out and about at the grocery store, the mall and so on. You're sure to get some free chillies and cilantro if you take the trouble to speak to the vegetable vendor in his or her native tongue!
Marathi movies and TV series
Watch Marathi movies and TV series to become more fluent with the language. I remember improving my Marathi skills by regularly watching the old Marathi series Bajirao Mastani on TV. Now of course if we look for Marathi content to watch, we are spoilt for choice. There is an absolute abundance of options. Be sure to watch the series in the original Marathi. There is a lot you will be able to understand from the visuals and the context, as for the rest, make sure you turn on the subtitles in a language of your choice to understand fully.
These free resources will help you learn Marathi without spending a penny – whether online or offline. Just make sure you're open to learning and remember to enjoy the process. Slowly a new language will reveal itself to you – and along with it, a new culture, its people, traditions and history!
