Online Dictionaries
1. Shadbkosh: An English-Hindi Dictionary
This English-Hindi dictionary is useful as a quick reference, but it lacks in-depth definitions and does not provide the gender of Hindi nouns. It provides entries in Devanāgarī (i.e. the Hindi script) and in roman transliteration (i.e. the English alphabet).
2. A Dictionary of Urdu, Classical Hindi, and English by John T. Platts
Digital Dictionaries of South Asia, University of Chicago
This hefty volume from 1884 was scanned for public use online. You can search for entries in Urdu, Hindi, or English. This dictionary is especially useful for advanced students.
This “open content dictionary” for Hindi is still in its infancy but has great potential. Word translations are often provided in several languages. This dictionary is overseen and worked on by the online public. We at Zabaan encourage you to join the Wiktionary community and help this project grow!
This “open content dictionary” for Urdu is still in its infancy but has great potential. Word translations are often provided in several languages. This dictionary is overseen and worked on by the online public. We at Zabaan encourage you to join the Wiktionary community and help this project grow!
Typing in Hindi & Urdu
1. South Asia Language Resource Center (SALRC) Recommended Fonts
University of Chicago
Provides an introduction to typing in South Asian scripts on an Apple or PC. Several fonts and keyboard layouts are recommended with links provided in addition to instructions for how to install and use them.
2. Hindi Urdu Flagship Fonts & Word Processing
University of Texas at Austin
Provides an introduction to Unicode as well as instructions for how to view and type in South Asian scripts on a PC or an Apple within your operating system, internet browser, e-mail program and/or word processor.
3. Quillpad: An Editor for Writing in Hindi
This online editor allows you to type Hindi in English and it will (usually) correctly transform it into Devanāgarī (i.e. the Hindi script) for you. In addition to Hindi, it provides the same service for nine other South Asian languages (but unfortunately not for Urdu).
Hindi & Urdu Song Lyrics, Poetry, and Ghazals
This website doesn’t allow you to type-in your own search entires (you have to search for songs within its provided search categories). The song lyrics are provided in the English alphabet (not according to the South Asian language transliteration system used at Zabaan), and in Devanāgarī (i.e. the Hindi script). There aren’t too many errors within the song lyrics, and the collection is large.
Professor Frances Pritchett, Columbia University
A collection of Mirza Ghalib’s ghazals written in Nastaʽlīq (i.e. the Urdu script), Devanāgarī (i.e. the Hindi script), roman transliteration, and plain roman.
General South Asian Language References
1. Professor Frances Pritchett
Columbia University
Provides links to several electronic books on Hindi & Urdu history, Hindi & Urdu literature, language learning materials, glossaries and scripts for films, and glossaries for novels, and popular language learning materials.
2. South Asia Language Resource Center
University of Chicago
Includes access to South Asian language list-serves, blogs, information about grants and scholarships, and workshop information.
3. Digital South Asia Library, University of Chicago
A collection of digital dictionaries, images, maps, statistics, bibliographies, indexes, books and journals, and links to other online resources.
University of Texas at Austin
Provides impressive electronic books and learning materials created by Hindi Urdu Flagship professors, downloadable videos of Hindi and Urdu native speakers discussing and demonstrating specific language features and situations, as well as links to other Hindi and Urdu online resources.
