German Teacher of Hindi Shares Struggles with Job Scarcity in Indian Language Education

Bhopal: A Journey of Hindi Passion from Germany to Sweden

Meet Hans Werner, a German teacher who has found a special calling in Hindi. Currently teaching in Sweden, he wishes there were more job opportunities for Hindi students in the West. If the chance arose, he would gladly come to India as a visiting faculty member. Hans recently took part in the Vishwa Rang Mahotsav in Bhopal, showcasing his love for the language.

Hans’s journey began in a rather emotional place. At 15, he read Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse after losing his father. The book sparked his desire to explore Indian culture deeply. “It painted a picture of another world for me,” he shared.

His interest in Indian traditions grew over the years. He discovered Indology during his studies in Germany, where he learned about Hindi and Sanskrit. That was around 1983—nearly 40 years ago!

Now, he speaks Hindi fluently and enjoys reciting Urdu poetry, often mingled with Persian phrases. Despite this passion, Hans notices a significant challenge: the lack of job opportunities for Hindi graduates in Western countries. “I know talented translators who work tirelessly but don’t get paid,” he lamented.

He encourages his students to learn Hindi but warns them about the tough job market. “If jobs in Hindi were as popular as in Korea for their language, it would attract many learners globally. Right now, it’s mostly limited to universities.”

Recently, Hans has ventured into writing short stories in Hindi, inspired by Jhumpa Lahiri, who transitioned from English to Italian. He dreams of working in India if given the opportunity.

His mother, initially skeptical about his path, now supports him wholeheartedly, saying, “You did the right thing. It was meant to be.”

As he reflects on his life and career, Hans remains a symbol of cultural connection. His story highlights the importance of preserving and promoting languages like Hindi in today’s world. This journey from losing a loved one to finding a lifelong passion serves as an inspiration for many.

For more insights on the importance of Hindi language and cultural exchange, you may refer to The Linguistic Landscape of India.

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GERMAN, SWEDEN, HANS WERNER, VISHWA RANG MAHOTSAV, HANS WERNER HINDI SWEDEN, GERMAN TEACHER OF HINDI RUES PAUCITY OF JOBS IN THE INDIAN LANGUAGE