¾»½ÌÁVgRiV¾»½ÌÁVgRiV xqsLiËxqsLi˳ØxtsQßáÌÁV³ØxtsQßáÌÁV TTeelluugguu SSaammbbaaaasshhaannaalluu Conversations in Telugu with English translations and Telugu script Goddess Saraswathi She is the Goddess of speech and learning. Mother Saraswathi is the creator of Sanskrit, the language of the Vedas. She is depicted as having four arms, carrying a book, a Veena, Prayer beads(Mala) and a Water pot. The book signifies arts, science and learning. The Veena associates her with music and the performing arts. The Mala(rosary) represents the power of meditation, inner reflection and spirituality. The water is the purifying power to separate right from wrong. Saraswathi is also Gayathri, the consort of Lord Brahma. Gayathri is the mother of the Vedas. In her hands she holds the symbols of Brahma, Vishnu and Siva. Students worship Saraswathi to perform well in their examinations. The following sloka(mantra) can be recited daily to improve memory, power and concentration in studies.: Saraswathi Namasthubhyam, Varadhe Kaama Roopini Vidhyaa-rambham Karishyaami, Siddhir Bhavathu Me Sadha Full Prayer on page 1 English translation on page 54 ¾»½ÌÁVgRiV xqsLi˳ØxtsQßáÌÁV Telugu Sambaashanalu A publication of the Andhra Maha Sabha South Africa DEDICATION: This book is dedicated to all who love the language and who are committed to promoting the Telugu language and Andhra Culture. Special dedication to my Family and my late parents. In memory of my late wife, Daya Naidoo who was passionate about the Telugu language and Andhra Culture. ¾»¾»½½ÌÌÁÁVVggRiRiVV xqxqssLLiiË˳سØxtxtssQßQßááÌÌÁÁVV TTeelluugguu SSaammbbaaaasshhaannaalluu Conversations in Telugu with English translations and Telugu Script By A.K. Naidoo President of AMSSA AnµR¶dhOTPQßraØ MúzmnsahNRPa SAaLiúbhµ³R¶a oª«sVf S¥¦o¦¦u txqsËh A³ÏÁfrica ABHA OF A S S H OU A T M H A A R F R H I D C N A A xqs» R¶V R½ùLi aSLi»R½Li µR¶¸ A.K. Naidoo President of the Andhra Maha Sabha of South Africa Africa (AMSSA). Served AMSSA as Secretary and Treasurer. Was the convenor of the Eisteddfod Committee for many years. Designed and typeset many Eisteddfod Syllabuses. Published the following brochures for AMSSA: 70th and 80th Anniversary, 1st, 2nd and 3rd Raam Bhajana Festivals. Text, Photographs and Cover Design by A.K. Naidoo Published by the Andhra Maha Sabha of South Africa P.O. Box 32541, Mobeni, 4060 92 Camper Drive, Havenside Chatsworth, 4090 Web: www.amssa1931.org.za Copyright Andhra Maha Sabha of South Africa (AMSSA) All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means without the permission of AMSSA. First Edition, February 2016 500 copies ISBN 978-0-620-65766-2 Typeset by A. K. Naidoo Printed by Standard Printers. FOREWORD The Telugu-speaking people and expressions necessary for have their unique language, everyday conversation. It also culture and traditions. As a includes vocabulary relating to a minority language group in this wide range of specific subjects country, Andhras have to and situations. Every Telugu preserve their identity and it is the household must have a copy of duty of all the Telugu-speaking this book. This book will also be people to promote, preserve and offered to other language groups propagate their language and so that they can recognise and culture. Unfortunately, Telugu as acknowledge the Telugu- a language of communication is speaking people and converse fading. AMSSA is stimulating with them in Telugu. The book and encouraging interest in will also be available in electronic Telugu. Many activities are held format and it will be posted on to sustain this interest. AMSSA AMSSA’s website. has its own Telugu Academy where tuition is offered free and We acknowledge, with sincere everybody is encouraged to take gratitude, Mr V. Latchanna who this opportunity to learn Telugu. assisted Mr A.K. Naidoo to put this book together. Thank you for The Andhra Maha Sabha of sharing your expertise. We hope South Africa is striving to that this book will be well received encourage all to speak the Telugu by the Andhra community. language. Reading and writing can follow or be practised simultaneously. The publication of Telugu Sambhaashanalu is our attempt to provide a booklet to assist the Andhras to learn the Seetha Viranna language through simple Chairperson conversations. It contains words AMSSA Education Committee PREFACE This book aims to develop the cannot be learned without learner’s ability to speak Telugu. adequate vocabulary. This book Relevant conversations have been includes the commonly used selected to assist learners to vocabulary. Learners should set practice the most basic language aside time daily to learn vocabulary they need in common social and practise conversation with a situations; for example greetings partner. Learners will be able to and introductions; asking and construct sentences once they giving their names and addresses; have mastered the vocabulary. asking for help and answering the Learners will also be given an telephone. Focus will not be on introduction to the Telugu script and perfect grammar as this will inhibit once they have gained confidence their fluency. they can begin to learn to write in Telugu. Learners will use the transliteration to converse in Telugu. English Dedication and commitment is the translation is given to assist the key to learning a new language. learners to understand the Language is learnt by imitation and transliteration. The Telugu script is repetition. One must have the also included. Once learners learn desire to learn; constant practice is to speak Telugu they will be given essential to improve language more advanced conversation skills. pieces to practise their Telugu. Learners are advised to converse A.K. Naidoo as often as possible. Language February 2016 CONTENTS 1. Opening prayers 1 2. Greetings 2 3. A simple conversation 4 4. How are you? And Good-bye 5 5. Introducing somebody 6 6. Family 11 7. Pronouns (Personal) 14 8 Pronouns (Possessive) 15 9. Adverbs 16 10. Prepositions 17 11. Questions 18 12. Present continuous tense 19 13. Verbs -Negative 20 14. Days of the week and related words 21 15. Numerals and Adjectives 22 16. Parts of the body 23 17. Flowers and Plants 24 18. Animals 25 19. Vegetables and Fruits 26 20. Words relating to Travel 27 21. Words relating to School 28 22. Words relating to Food 29 23. Emergency Vocabulary 30 24. Words relating to Weather 31 25. Words relating to inside of the house 32 26. Colours 33 27. Conversations 34 28. Introduction to the Alphabet 49 29. Maa Telugu Thalli 50 30. Prayers in Telugu 52 31. Closing Prayers 53 32. Prayers - English Transliterations 54 33. Additional Vocabulary 55 34. Acknowledgements and sources 56 PRONUNCIATION GUIDE Short vowel sounds Long vowel sounds A like 'u' in "fun", 'u' in "sun", "u" in "run” aa like ‘a’ in “path”, ‘a’ in “part” i like 'i' in "sit", 'i' in "big", ‘i’ in sing ee like ‘ee’ in “deep”, ‘ee’ in “meet” u like 'u' in "put", like 'u' in "truth” oo like ‘oo’ in “shoot”, ‘oo’ in “boot” e like 'e' in "get", 'e' in "red", ‘e’ in bet eh like ‘er’ in “fern”, ‘er’ in “stern” o like 'o' in "pot", like 'o' in "top" oh like ‘or’ in “born”, ‘or’ in “form” Consonants Diphthongs Same as in English ai like 'ai' in "bait", “mail” The letters F,Q,X and Z are not used Ow like 'ow' in "cow" ch like ‘ch’ in “chain”, ‘ch’ in “chair” cch like ‘tch’ in “butcher”, ‘tch’ in “pitch” th like ‘th’ in “think”, ‘th’ in “thin” dh like ‘th’ in “that”, ‘th’ in “other” NOTES ON TRANSLITERATION AND PROUNCIATION We do not have conformity with our Transliteration of the Telugu Script. Many scholars use the following: a aa i ii u uu e ee ai o oo au @ A B C D E Fs G H I J K In this book the following transliteration is used: aa i ee u oo e eh ai o oh au @ A B C D E Fs G H I J K The letter ‘h’ is used in this book to denote a long vowel like ‘eh’ for ‘ G’. It will help to differentiate the Telugu script and help with the pronounciation in the transliteration. E & OE OPENING PRAYERS GURU DHEVO BHAVA SARASWATHI PRAARTHANAA Aum Gurur Brahmaa Gurur Vishnu Gurur Dhevo Mashesvarah Sarasvathi Namasthubhyam Gurur Saakshaat Parabrahma Varadhe Kaama Roopini Vidhyaa-rambham Karishyaami Thasmai Sri Guruve Namaha Siddhir Bhavathu Me Sadha GAYATRI MANTRA Padma Pathra Vishaalakshi Padma Kesara Varnani Aum Bhoor Bhuvah Swah Nithyam Padma Layaa Dhevi, Thath Savithur Varenyam Bhargo Dhevasya Dheemayi Yaa, Kundherndhu Thushaara Haara Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodhayaat Dhahvaala Yaa, Subrah Vasthraan Vitha Yaa, Veena Varadhanda Manditha VIGNESHVARA PRAARTHANAA Karaa Shuklam Baradharam, Vishnum, Yaa, Svertha Padhmaasanaa Sashivarnam Chathurbhujam Yaa, Brahama Chyuthaa Sankara Prasanna Vadhanam, Dhyaayeh Prahbruthie Deevaih Sarva Vignohpa Shaanthayeh Sadha Poojitha Samaam Paathu Agajaanana Padmaarkam, Saraswathi Gajaanana Maharnisham Bhagavathi, Bhaarathi Anehkadhantham Bhakthanaa Nisyesha Ekadhantham Upaasmahe. Jaadhyapaha See page 54 for English Translation Page 1 GREETINGS Vandhanamu/Dhandamu Namaskaaram/u Greetings-showing respect Good morning Shubhodhayam Good night Shubharaathri Good day/afternoon Shubhadhinam/u Hello Namaskaaram/u (Showing respect) Vandhanamu (Palms together) Dhandamu Please Dhayachehsi Happy Birthday Puttinarohju Shubhakaankshalu Happy new year Ugaadhi Shubhakaankshalu Congratulations Abhinandhanaalu Thank you Dhanyavaadhamu Greetings Shubhakaankshalu Usage Hello, Rama. Are Namaskaaramu, Raamayya. you well? Baagunnaaraa? Fine thank you. Baagunnaanu How are you? Meeru elaagunnaru? I am very well, Nehnu chaalaa baagunnaanu, thank you dhanyavaadhamu Greetings Children Namaskaaram baalalaara Greetings Teacher Namaskaaram Andi/Guru Page 2 GREETINGS This page will give you examples of Greetings and responses. However, Namaskaaram/u is the most popular form of greeting. Use this form of greeting in all of your conversations.