Online Resources
Online Dictionaries
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 Devanagari (i.e. the Hindi script) and in roman transliteration (i.e. the English alphabet).
A Dictionary of Urdu, Classical Hindi, and English by John T. Platts – 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.
Wiktionary-Hindi
This crowd-sourced 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!
Wikitionary-Urdu
This crowd-sourced 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
South Asia Language Resource Center Recommended Fonts – University of Chicago
This site provides practical information about fonts and keyboard layouts best suited for South Asian languages. It includes text samples and links with instructions for how to download and install fonts.
Quillpad: An Editor for Writing in Hindi
This online editor allows you to type Hindi text using the Roman alphabet to produce (usually) correctly spelled text in Devanāgarī (i.e. the Hindi script). The same service is available for nine other South Asian languages, although unfortunately not Urdu.
Hindi & Urdu Song Lyrics, Poetry, and Ghazals
Smriti – Hindi Song Lyrics
This online archive allows users to browse song lyrics by title, movie, year, actor, singer, music director, and lyricist. There is no search function, but the collection is extensive and contains few errors. Song lyrics are available in the Roman alphabet, although not according to the transliteration system used at Zabaan, or in Devanāgarī (i.e. the Hindi script).
Divan-e Ghalib – Professor Frances Pritchett, Columbia University
This online index features 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
Professor Frances Pritchett – Columbia University
Provides links to several electronic books on Hindi & Urdu history, Hindi & Urdu literature, glossaries and scripts for films, glossaries for novels, and popular language learning materials.
South Asia Language Resource Center – University of Chicago
Provides access to listservs, blogs, grant and scholarship information, and workshop details related to South Asian languages.
Digital South Asia Library – University of Chicago
A collection of digital dictionaries, images, maps, statistics, bibliographies, indexes, books, journals, and links to other online resources.
Hindi Urdu Flagship – University of Texas at Austin
An impressive collection of electronic books and online learning materials created by The Hindi Urdu Flagship. It also includes downloadable videos of Hindi and Urdu native speakers discussing specific language features as well as links to other Hindi and Urdu online resources.
A Door into Hindi – North Carolina State University
An interactive, multimedia Elementary Hindi learning website created by Dr. Afroz Taj with 24 Hindi lessons and numerous videos with Hindi subtitles showing authentic dialogues shot in India. Includes references to Teach Yourself Hindi and contributions from that book’s author, Rupert Snell.
A Door into Urdu – North Carolina State University
A useful and interactive collection of multimedia Urdu learning materials including 24 Urdu lessons and numerous videos with Urdu subtitles. Dr. Afroz Taj’s answer to A Door into Hindi, this resource includes useful features including an animated demonstration of how Urdu letters are combined.