1 Resources to Learn Gujarati for Free

About the Gujarati Language

Gujarati is an Indo-Aryan language spoken by more than 60 million people, primarily in the western Indian state of Gujarat and the union territories of Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli. It is one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and has official status in Gujarat. It is also spoken by large communities in countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa, where significant Gujarati diaspora populations have settled.

The language has its origins in the 12th century, evolving from Old Western Rajasthani and Prakrit languages. Gujarati shares its roots with Hindi, Marathi, and other Indo-Aryan languages, and it has a deep literary tradition. One of the most notable figures associated with the language is Mahatma Gandhi, the leader of India’s independence movement, who wrote extensively in Gujarati.

Gujarati is written in its own script, which is an abugida similar to the Devanagari script used by Hindi. The language is known for its phonetic consistency, which makes learning to write and read relatively easier for new learners. It also has a rich system of inflections, particularly for verbs, which allows for nuanced expressions of tense, mood, and politeness.

Gujarati has been influenced by several languages over centuries, including Persian, Arabic, and English, which is evident in its vocabulary. This blend of influences reflects Gujarat’s long history of trade and cultural exchanges. Today, Gujarati is a vibrant language used in literature, music, cinema, and everyday conversation, playing a central role in the cultural identity of millions.

Click here to learn common phrases in Gujarati