Tamil through English: Learn Useful Basic Tamil to English Translation

I’m sure you can speak the English language fluently. As for your mother tongue — some of you might be great at it, some may only have skills good enough to order food. Even for dialect speakers — maybe just a handful of you can speak it well. But picking up a third language sounds like a challenge. No, I’m not talking about learning the popular languages like Korean, French, or Spanish although they come in useful during vacation trips to those countries and impressing your peers.

I’m talking about speaking tongue-curling Tamil words. In this article, I’ll share with you why you should starting learning Tamil through English up as soon as you can, a few simple Tamil to help you start, and 3 tips on how you can learn tamil quickly.

Why Should You Learn Tamil

Attractive Business Prospects in India’s Market

India is one of the fastest growing economies of the world, thus also making it one of the largest economies after U.S. and China. It is poised to continue on this accelerated path, with aspirations to reach high middle income status by 2047, the centenary of Indian independence. India is also committed to ensuring that the country is equipped to deal with the challenges of climate change, and in line with its goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.

As India’s population has one of the best ratios between its working-age population and its number of children and elderly, now is the best time for India to get it right in terms of setting up manufacturing capacity, continuing to grow services, continuing the growth of infrastructure.”

According to a Reuters article, on 31 May 2023, growth numbers reflected optimism for the Indian economy despite global headwinds. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has raised its benchmark repo rate by 250 basis points (bps) since May last year and economists expect it to leave the rate unchanged for the rest of 2023 as it waits to see the impact of earlier hikes.

And all that is just a glimpse of their potential. According to a FT article, Walmart’s majority stake in Flipkart in 2018 has boosted its overall e-commerce sales. Flipkart’s market share last year was 48% to Amazon’s was 26%, with Flipkart taking in $23 billion in gross sales in India during 2021, compared to $18 billion to $20 billion for Amazon. Just imagine what your eCommerce marketplace would be like if you translated your website from Tamil to English.

India also has free trade agreements with several countries, including Singapore which is an ideal country to do business with. Many Tamil speakers in Singapore come from Tamil Nadu. If this proves anything, it would be that we should pay a little more attention to India’s booming marketplace.

Although there are 22 official languages spoken in India, you can just start with one. Tamil — the most common Indian language used in Singapore.

Get Around and About Easily While You Travel

Aside from helping you be more business and financially savvy, learning Tamil for beginners or even Tamil alphabets can help you during your vacation trips. There’s a possibility of losing your way in any foreign country albeit being able to speak with the locals to ask for directions reduces the chances of that happening.

It’ll be even more useful if you can read Tamil script from the road signs and signboards.

In addition, when you’re the one breaking the language barrier by flaunting your newly-learned Tamil tongue, locals appreciate it and might give you special treatment or discounts!

Nothing beats seeing a foreign face and being surprised by how familiar they sound. Building rapport and creating a comfortable conversation with locals can lead you to experience only those who know the native language of the country can.

Learn Tamil Through English: Simple Tamil Phrases

Image of Caucasian and Indian friends hanging out

3 Tips to Learn Tamil Through English Fast

Tip #1: Make Friends with Tamilians

One of the best ways to learn Tamil faster would be to surround yourself with people who speak Tamil fluently! When you’re learning to speak a new language, the intonation would be one of the hardest things to get right.

But when you’re always hearing how the Tamil word is being spoken in and getting corrected, your learning speed can be accelerated naturally just like that.

Tip #2: Watch Tamil shows with English Subtitles

An interesting tip but it works! It is slightly more passive but if you actively listen and are opening your senses to new words and phrases, your vocabulary and tamil grammar can be improved beyond a tamil to english translation passage in the textbook as you read the english subtitles (tamil translations) on screen.

In fact, TV shows and movies can help understand and get used to the grammar and tonality as well. Start recognising easy and common phrases such as ‘Nandri Vanakkam’ and understanding it’s meaning in English.

If possible, pause your show can write down the words of the Tamil translation that piqued your interest. Many times, shows and dialogues use slangs that native Tamil speakers will understand if you use them too.

Tip #3: Take Every Opportunity To Practise It

It is difficult to learn a new language and you will definitely sound awkward in the beginning. But the more you practise, the better you get and the more natural you’ll sound.

Ling App is a great way to learn Tamil as it uses gamification to make learning fun and rewarding. You can earn awards after every lesson is completed and even rank on Ling’s leaderboard. Ling carefully and thoughtfully creates lessons to make learning languages as easy as possible because every language deserves to be spoken.

In addition to a language app, situations in public places such as at a restaurant, transport, or even with your neighbours who happen to speak Tamil are great opportunities that you’ll want to jump on.

Conclusion: Tamil Through English

It is a joy to learn and appreciate another language. It does take time and effort to do so. For those who need translation services regarding the Tamil language, we are able to help. Contact us today to find out more on translation services in Singapore and our trusted certified translators.