Utah varsity launches course in business Hindi

ENGLISH might be the popular language of communication in India, but the international business community is increasing feel the need to learn Hinglish if not Hindi, so as to and better their business results.

A step ahead in this direction is the recent announcement by the University of Utah in Salt Lake City to launch a 12-week Hindi learning class. Beginning Hindi for Business is specifically designed for professionals working in companies that operate in New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore and other major cities of India, the university said in a press release.

To be taken twice-a-week for two hours each by Professor Ashok Rajput, the Hindi class starting September will introduce its script, basic vocabulary and some business terms to the students for a fee of $863.61. The course emphasizes on spoken Hindi, and also includes a brief overview of the Indian culture.

Announcing the launch of the new course, University president Michael K. Young said: The University of Utah is deeply committed to serving the strategic economic interests of the state of Utah. Teaching courses in the critically important languages of the global marketplace is one of the many ways we can do so.

This course has unique significance. While the University feels it would give an extra edge to industrialists and professionals from the relatively backward states like Utah, for Hindi lovers in general it might be an opening to more such initiatives. The economic ascendance of India has already impacted Utah, with increasing numbers of companies there conducting business in India, said Brett Heimburger, the Asia director from Governor’s Office of Economic Development.

Amy Rees Lewis, the man behind this initiative, who visits India four times a year said: While the language of commerce is English, most business people in India speak a fusion of Hindi and the English language.

Lewis is a member of Utah’s Asia Center Advisory Cabinet and chief executive officer of MediConnect Global Inc., a Utah-based online medical records service for legal and insurance profession having offices in India.

I am absolutely convinced that I would benefitin negotiations and in daily interactions from an ear that is attuned to the Hindi words being spoken, he observed.

Early this year, President George Bush had announced a multi-million grant for several foreign languages including Hindi to be taught in the United States. But that was for reasons of national security and not commercial purposes. As of now, Hindi is officially taught as a subject in only one government school in Texas. A New Jersey school district had recently applied for a federal grant to start teaching Hindi as an alternative language course in its schools from 2007.

Stating that India is the second-fastest growing market in the world and by 2040, it is expected to boast the world’s third-largest economy, the University said this effort is aimed at preparing students to embrace future opportunities to conduct business in the global economy.