X. CULTURE

A.Linguistic Expression of Culture:

1. CLASSIFER SYSTEM:

In Hindi the classificatory terms (Indicating more than one relationship by a particular single term from the point of view of anthropology) are as follows -

  1. काका/चाचा 
    2. Kakaa/Chaachaa

      
	
    1.   Father’s younger brother (Uncle)
      2.  
	
    2.  Father’s friend
      3. 
	
    3.  Friend’s father
      4. 
	
    4.  Elderly man of the society
      5.
  2. काकी/चाची
    3. Kaakii/chaachii

      
	
    1.  Father’s younger brother’s wife (Aunty)
      2. 
	
    2.  Friend’s mother
      3. 
	
    3.  Father’s friend’s wife
      4. 
	
    4.  Elderly woman of the society
      5.
  3. दादा 
    4. Dadaa -

      
	
    1.  Grandfather of paternal side
      2. 
	
    2.  Elder brother
      3. 
	
    3.  Olderly man of the society
      4.
  4. दीदी
    5. Didi -

      
	
    1.  Elder Sister
      2. 
	
    2.  Female teacher (Nurse)
      3. 
	
    3.  Elderly woman of the society
	       Also used  बहन जी  (Behen jii) 
      4.
  5. भाभी
    6. Bhaabhi - 

      
	
    1.  Elder brother’s wife
      2. 
	
    2.  Elderly married woman of the society
      3. 
	
    3.  Friend’s wife
      4.
  6. मौसी
    7. Mousii -

      
	
    1.  Mother’s sister
      2. 
	
    2.  Friend’s mother
      3. 
	
    3.  Mother’s friend/colleague
      4. 
	
    4.  Elderly woman of maternal side
      5.
  7. भाईसाहब
    8. Bhaii Sahab

      
	
    1.  Elder brother
      2. 
	
    2.  Friend’s elder brother
      3. 
	
    3.  Elder man of the society
      4. 
	
    4.  Wife’s elder brother
      5.

2. KINSHIP ORGANISATION AND TERMINOLOGY:

In the Hindi speech community we find all the three types of Kinship organisation (Consanguinal, Affinal and Ritual/Social). The Kinship organisation of the Hindi speech community is represented in the following with respect to ‘I’ where located. 

		Insert Picture
  • For father or mother’s husband, the brother of mother is ‘Saalaa’ ( साला ) and Saalii ( साली ) for mousii or mother’s sister.
  • For wife of Saalaa the term used (Salahaja) सलहज and same for husband of mousii the term & used Saaduu Bhaai (सादूभाइ). In the Urdu terminology used in muslim community is हमजुल्फ (Humjulfa) for this.

FAMILY AND RELATIONS: (TERMINOLOGY)

HINDI		PRONOUNCIATION			RELATION (English)

दादा/बाबा		Dadaa/Baabaa	-		Grand father(Paternal)
दादी		Daadii		-		Grand mother(Paternal)
नाना		Naanaa		-		Grand father(maternal
नानी		Naanii		-		Grand mother (maternal)
पिता		Pitāa		-		Father
माता/अम्मा		Maatāa/Ammaa	-		Mother (Naidu & Sikh)
अम्मी		Ammii		-		Mother (Muslim)
ताऊ 		Tau		-		Father’s older brother
ताई		Taii		-		(His wife)		
चाचा		Chaachaa		-		Father’s younger brother 
चाची		Chaachii		-		(His wife)
बुआ		Buaa		-		Father’s sister
फूफाजी		Phuuphaajii	-		(Her Husband)
स्वसुर  		Swasur		-		Father in law
सास   		Saasa		-		Mother in law
मामा		Maamaa		-		Mother’s brother
मामी		Maamii		-		(His wife)
मौसी		Mousii		-		Mother’s sister
मौसाजी		Mousaajii		-		(Her husband)
खाला		Xaalaa/Khaalaa	-		(mousii in muslim comm)
भाईसाहब		Bhaaji sahab	-		Older brother
भाभी		Bhaabhii		-		(His wife)
दीदी		Didii		-		Older sister
जीजाजी		Jijaajii		-		(His husband)
साला		Saalaa		-		Wife’s brother
साली		Saalii		-		Wife’s brother
सलहज		Salahaja		-		Wife’s brother’s wife
सादूभाई		Sadhu Bhaaii	-		Wife’s sister’s husband
जेढ		Jetha		-		Husband’s older brother
जेढानी		Jethaanii		-		His wife
देवर		Devar		-		Husband’s younger brother
देवरानी		Devaranii		-		His wife
ननद		Nanad		-		Husband’s sister
ननदोई		Nandoii		-		(Her husband)
दामाद/जमाई		Daamaad/Javaaji	-		Son-in-law
बहू		Bahoo		-		Daughter-in-law
पोता		Pottāa		-		Grand-son(Son’s son)
पोती		Potii		-		Grand-daughter(Son’s daughter)
दोहता		Dohatāa		-		Daughter’s son
दोहती		Dohatii		-		Daughter’s Daughter
पति		Pati		-		Husband
पत्नी		Patnii		-		Wife
बेटा		Betāa		-		Son
बेटी		Betii		-		Daughter
भतीजा		Bhatiijaa		-		Brother’s son
भतीजी		Bhatiijii		-		Brother’s daughter
भान्जा/भगना		Bhaanjaa		-		Sister’s son
भान्जी/भगनी		Bhaanjii		-		Sister’s daughter

The social or ritual kinship organisation’s terminologies that are in practice in Hindi speech community are the similar to classifier system of that community that are following.

3. BODY PARTS:

 HINDI		PRONOUNCIATION			RELATION (English)

अनामिका    		Anaamikaa			Ring Finger
अँगुली (पैर की)    	Angulii				Toe
अँगुली (हाथ की)	Angulii				Finger
अँगूठा  		Angoothaa				Thumb
आँख		Aankha				Eye
अँात		Aantaa				Intenstine
ओंट 		Aounth				Lip
एडी		Edii				Heel
कंधा		Kandhaa				Soulder
कनपटी    		Kanapatii				Temple
कमर		Kamar				Waist Loin
कलाई		Kalaaii				Wrist
कान		Kaan				Ear
कँाख		Kaankha				armpit
कोहनी		Kohanii				Elbow
खोपडी		Khopadii				Skull
गर्दन		Gardan				Neak
गर्भाशय   		Garbhashya			Womb
गला  		Galaa				Throat
गुदा		Gudaa				Anus
गुर्दा   		Gurdaa				Kidney
गोद   		Goda				Lap
धुढना		Ghutānaa				Knee
गाल	  	Gaala				cheek
चमडा  		Chamsaa				Skin
चुचुक		Chuchuk				nipple
चेहरा   		Chehraa				face
छाती (पु0)     	Chhaatii (m)			chest
छाती (स्त्री)    	Chhaatii (f)				breast
जबड़ा  		Jabadaa				Jaw
जाँध		Jaangha				thigh
लिवर/यकृत		Yakrat				liver
जोड		Jada				joint
जीभ		Jeebha				tongue
टुड्डी    		Thuddii				chin
तल्वा  		Talwa				Sole
तालूआ  		Taaluaa				Palate
ढाडी  		Daadii				Beard 
दाँत		Daanta				Tooth
दिमाग  		Dimaaga				Brain
घमनी  		Dhamanii				artēry
नाकून		Naakhoon				Nail
नस  		Nasa				Vein
नाभि  		Naabhii				Navel
नाक  		Naaka				Nose
नाथूना		Nathunaa				Nostril
पलक  		Palak				Eyelid
पीट  		Peetha				Back
पेट (बाहर)    	Petā (external)			Belly
पेट (भीतरि)  	Petā (internal)			Stomach
पुतली  		Putalii				Eyeball
पैर  		peira				Foot
पेशी (पृष्ट)		Peshii				Muscle
फे फडा  		Phephadaa			Lung
बरौनी  		Barounii				Eyelash
भौंह  		Bhonha				Eye brow
मसूङा   		Masoodaa				Gum
मूँघ		Moonchee				Moustache
मुख  		Mukha				mouth
मस्तिष्क  		Mashtishka			Brain
मुटठी		Mutthii				Fist
रग		Raga				Nerve
रोमकूप   		Romkoopa				Pore
भाल/लालठ/माथा	Bhaal				Forehead
    		Lalaat
		Mathaa
लार		Laar				Salivaa
लाहू/रक्त/खून		Lahoo/Rakht/khoon			Blood
स्वासनली   		Shwasnalii				Trachea
स्कन्ध    		Skandha				Trunk
हड्डी		Haddii				Bone
हृदय		Hridaya				Heart
हथेली  		Hathelii				Palm
हाथ  		Haathe				Hand
हँसुली (डी हड्डी)	Hansulii (Kii Haddii)			Coller-bone
रीढ़ (डी हड्डी)     	Reeda (Ki Haddii)			Back bone

4. COLOUR TERMS:

HINDI 		PHONETIC PRONUNCIATION		ENGLISH 

काला		Kaalaa				Black	
नीला		Neelaa				Blue
भूरा  		Bhoora				Brown
सुनहरा  		Sunaharaa				Gold
हरा  		Horaa				Green
खाकी		Khaakii				Khaki
नारंगि  		Naarangii				Orange
गुलाबी    		Gulaabii				Pink
चाँदी		Chaandii				Silver
स्लेटी  		Sletii				Slate
सफेद  		Safed				White
पीला  		Peelaa				Yellow
बैगनी		Beiganii				Puspal
तामियाँ  		Taammiyaan			Copper(ish)
आसमानी		Aasamaanii			Sky Blue

5. PRONOUNS:

FIRST PERSON SINGULAR

मैं  		Mein				I
मुज्ञे		Mujhe				To me
मेरा  		Meraa				Mine

FIRST PERSON PLURAL

हम  		Hum				We
हमे  		Humein				To us
हमारा  		Humaaraa				Ours

SECOND PERSON SINGULAR

तुम  		Tum				You
आप(समानसूचक)	Aapa				You
तुम्हें/आपको/तुझो      	Tumhein/Aapako/Tujhe		To you
तुम्हारा/आपका	Tumharaa/Aapakaa			Your’s

THIRD PERSON SINGULAR

यह		Yah				He, She, it,  This (Closer)
इसको  		Isako				To him, To her, its
इनको/इन्हे ( समान )  	Inako/Inhein			To him, To her,
इसका/इनका		Isakaa/Inakaa			His, Her
वह  		Vah				He, She, it, that
वो  		Voh				He, She, It, that
उसका		Usakaa				To him, To her,
इनका  		Unakaa				To him, To her

THIRD PERSON PLURAL

ये  		Yeh				These
इनका		Inakaa				Theirs
इनको		Inako				To these
वे  		Veh				They
इनका  		Unakaa				Theirs
उनको  		Unako				To them

7. ADDRESS AND REFERENCE SYSTEM:

In the Hindi forms of addresses which are widely used are following:

In spoken form बाईसाब/बाईसाहब Bhaisaab/Bhaaisahab, भइया Bhaiya elder borhter, भाइ Bhai younger brother, दीदी/बहिन जी Didi/Bahinjii elder sister, बहन Bahan, Sister are widely used in both formal and nonformal situations and in both known and unknown social settings. ‘Sir’ and ‘Madam’ are usually used in official and academic situations. Illustrates generally used साब/साब जी Saab/Saabjii and बहिन जी Bahinjii, against ‘Sir’ and ‘Madam’ which are borrowed forms from English.

In the written forms i.e. especially in LETTERS, प्रिय Priya, ‘dear’, परमप्रिय ‘Parampriya, ‘darling’ प्रिय ‘Priyaa’ dear (Female) are used to address the person to whom the letter is written.

स्नेह/प्रेम/सदा खुश रहो/आशीष Sneh/Prem/Sada Khysh Raho /Aashish are used in expression of emotions in case of addressee of almost same age or younger than the addressor. In cases, where the addressor is younger than the addressee आदरणीय Aadarniya ‘Respected’, पूजनीय Poojaniya Respected, सादर चरन स्पर्श Saador charan sparsha, पद-वंदन Pad-vandan, प्रणाम Pranaam (an attitude of touching the feet of the elders) is widely used.

श्रद्धेय Shraddheya, (male), श्रद्धेया Shraddheyar (Female) are other forms of addressing the elderly people which are used generally.

In the same way, according to the age of addressee and addressor the addressee used in the end of the letter change, like स्नेहाकाँक्षी Snehaakaankshii (loving) शुभेच्छ Subhechchhuu, ‘well wisher’, भवदीय Bhavadiyaa faithfully, and विश्वासी Vishwashii, ‘Pustworthy’ and आपका ही ‘Aapakaa hii’ ‘only yours’, सदैव आपका Sadavira Aapkaa (ever your) etc. are changeable terms due to formal and unformal relationships.

In formal relationships, where the addressor may or may not have much acquaintance with the addressor, the terms महोदय Mahodaya (m), ‘Sir’ and महोदय (Mahodayaa) Madam are used. माननीय Mananeya ‘respected’ man, माननीय ‘maanniayar’ (Female) ‘respected woman’, are optionally prefixed to them. श्रीमान् Shreemaan and श्रीमति Shreematii (Mrs..) श्री Shree, सुश्री Sushree (‘miss’) are generally used to express respect to any known and unknown man and woman, धन्यवाद Dhanyabaad, ‘thanks’, शुक्रिया Shukriyaa ‘thanks’, आभार Aabhaar, obliged and साधुवाद Sadhuuband ‘Thank’s, बदाइ Badhaaii, मुबारक Mubaarak, are used to congratulation purpose and शुभकामनाए Subhakaannaayen ‘well wishes’ are also common words used in society.

In the same way आशीर्वाद Aashiirwaad blessings are used by elders to youngers.

8. POLITENESS EXPRESSION:

The Politeness expressions used in Hindi are the following - 

  1. 	कृपया Kripayaa  - kindly
	example - कृपया मुझे किताब दीजिए |
	Kindly give me a book.

  2.    	क्षमा करें    Kshmaa karen 
	muslims are used  + ++  (muaaphii) 

  3.    	धन्यवाद dhanyaabaad  - Thanks, Thank you
	शुक्रिया Shukriyaa - Thank you
 	साधुवाद  Saadhubaad -

  4. 	बिनती   -   Binatii  -
	विनय  - Vinay -   Request 
	निवेदन -  Nivedana -  

  5. 	खेद - Kheda  -  Sorry
	अफ़सोस - Afasosa - 

  6. 	महोदय  - Mahodaya
	महानुभाव - Mahaanubhava -  Respected Terms
	आदरणीय - Aadarniya
	माननीय - Maanniya
  7. Any kind of active sentence when transformed to a passive sentence expresses politeness, for example,
    8. 	मैं नहीं करूँगा। 
	‘I will not do’ (Active voice) 

	यह मैं नहीं कर पाऊँगा |  
	It will not be possible for me to do (Passive voice)
  8. Any kind of affirmative sentence when transformed to an interrogative sentence expresses politeness. 
    9. 	मुझे किताब दीजिए |
	Give me the book (Affirmative sentence) 

	क्या मुझे यह किताब देंगे?
	would you give me the book ?  (Interrogative sentence)

9. GREETING AND DEPARTURE TERMS:

The most widely used greeting terms of the Hindu speakers of the Hindi speech community are -

नमस्कार/नमस्ते Namaskaar/Namaste for Hello, and प्रणाम शुभरात Pranaama, Suprabhaat for ‘good morning’. The widely used greeting terms of the muslims are the following : अस्सल्लामवल्लेकुम ‘assalamoalaikum’ Hello; In reply to this, the greeting term is वाल्लेकुमअस्सलाम oalaikumsalam, ‘Hello’ (in reply only).

The terms of departure for the speakers of the Hindi speech community are शुभरात्रि ‘Subharatri’ Good night and शुभयात्रा ‘Shubha yaatraa’ Happy journey’. स्वागतम ‘Swagatam’ - welcome, अस्सल्लामवल्लेकुम and खुदा हाफिज ‘Kudaa - Haafiz’ good bye may also be used as term of departure by the muslim speakers of Hindi speech community.

10. MEN’S AND WOMEN’S SPEECH:

There are some kinship terms which are exclusively for the use of women like - 

 
	ननद 	- 	Husband’s sister. 
	देवर 	-  	Devar  - Husband’s younger brother
	ननदेऊ  	-   	Nandeu - Husband’s sisters’ husband
	जेटानी  	- 	Jethaanii - Husband’s elder brother’s wife
	देवरानि 	- 	Devaranii - Husband’s younger brother’s wife
	सहेली  	- 	Woman’s friend
	भतीजी  	- 	Bhatiijii - Brother’s daughter 
	भान्जी  	-  	Bhaanjii - sister’s daughter

12. CONCEPT OF SPACE AND TIME:

The concept of space in Hindi is indicated by the following terms - 

	ऊपर  			Oopara			above 
	पास  			Paas			Near
	नजदीक			Nazdeeka			Near
	करीब  			Kareeb	
	दूर  			Door			away
	नीचे			Neeche			Beneath
	प्रथम/पहला  			Pratham			At first
				Pahalaa
	बाहर  			Bahar			Outside
	भीतर/अंदर			Beetār			Inside
				Audar
	मध्य मैं/बीच मैं		Madhya mein		in the middle
				Beehca mein
	सामने  			Saamane			in front
	पीचे			Peechhe			Behind
	बगल मैं  			Bagal mein		Beside
	दाये  			Daayen			Right
	बाऐ   			Baayen			Left
	बाजू मैं	 		Baajoo mein		Beside

The concept of time in Hindi are expressed by the terms presented in the following: 


	भोर/सुबह/सबेरे/प्रातः 		Bhor-Morning
				Subahaa
				Sabere
				Pratah
	दोपहर/दुपर   		Dopahar-Noon 
				Dupar
	शाम/संध्या/सायं		Shaama-Evening
				Sandhyaa
				Saayam


	रात/रात्रि  			Raat-Night
				Raatrii

	दिनांक/तारीख		Dinaanka-Date (Indian concept)
				Taariikha
	तिथि			Tithii-Fortnight
	पखवाडा			Pakhapaada	
	वर्ष/साल			Varsha-year
				Saal
	दिन/दिवस  			Din-Day
				Divasa 
	महीना/मास  			Maheena-Month
				Maas
	समय/काल  			Samaya-Time
				Kaal
	सप्ताह/सपता  		Saptaah-Week
				Sapataa 
	हप्ता  			Hafta

	तिमाही      			Timaahii-Quartly (3 month) 
	छमडी			Chhamaahii-Half year
	युग/जुग			Yug-Era
				Jug
	घण्टा			Ghantaa-Hour
	मिनिट   			Minit-Minute 
	सेकण्ड			Sekand-Second 
	पल	  		Pal
	पहर  			Pahar

	TIME 		HINDI		PRONUNCIATION		USAGE

	1:15 		सवा (एक)		Savaa (ek)			It is me fifteen
	1:30		डेढ		Desh			It is one thirty
	1:45		पौने दो   		Paune do			It is quarter of two
	2:15		सवा दो  		Savaa do			It is quarter to two
	2:30		ढाई  		Dhaaii			It is half Past two
			अढाई		Arhaaii			
	2:45		पौने तीन  		Paune teen		It is quarter of three
	3:15		सवा तीन  		Savaa tiin			It is quarter of three
	3:30		साढे तीन		Saarhe tiin			It is half past three
	3:45		पौने चार  		Paune chaar		It is quarter to four
	4:20		चार बजज्ञ  		Chaar - Beesa		It is twenty minutes of four

14. BELIEF SYSTEM:

The Hindi speech community (communities) have some universal beliefs alongwith some specifications regarding the life of human being. Some such general beliefs are enumerated in the following:

  1. Belief in the immorality of the soul.
  2. Belief in God and Goddesses
  3. Belief in re-birth (Punarjanma)
  4. Belief in the good and bad effects of honesty and dishonesty
  5. Belief in the nature as god
  6. Belief in the good effect of special treatment of the guests in the social and family set-up here the concept of guest like ‘Devata’, ‘ATITHI DEVO:BHAVA’
  7. Belief in the MOKSHA
  8. Belief in the Karma - Kaanda, and belief in the ‘Mantras’
  9. Belief in the post mortem effects (i.e. hell or heaven) of the good and bad activities during one’s life spon. It is the belief in the ‘Karma-Phal’.
  10. Belief in the fast (Vrat & roza)
  11. Belief in the Fate (Bhagya)
  12. Belief in the Existence of ghost
  13. Belief in the religion (Dharma & mazahab)
  14. Belief in the showing respect for the saint
  15. Belief in the showing respect for mother father and teacher, also for the elders.
  16. Lighting an earthen lamp in the evening in front of gods or goddesses should be done for the well-being of the family.
  17. Belief in the prayer (Prathanaa) for well-being.

20. DRESS AND ORNAMENTS:

Traditionally though Hindi speech persons specially man used to dear धोती कुर्ता ‘dhotii-kurtāa’ but now they wear shirts and pant. Only during certain ceremonies or festivals some men to wear the traditional dress.

The some change is found in case of muslim community also. Traditionally they used to wear कुर्ता सलवार kurta - and salvaar, or कुर्ता पैजाम ‘Kurtāa - Payzama’ (Payzama - a loose pant). But now they have sifted to shirt and pant.

Hindi women (Hindus) wear साडी ‘Saarii’ with ब्लाउस ‘Blouse’ blaauz and a पेटीकोट petticoat which is their traditional dress. Muslim & Sikh women generally used to wear कुर्ता - सलवार ‘Kurtaa - Salvaar’ or सलवार - कमीज Salvaar - Kameez.... But now-a-days young generation is found to wear western dresses.

On special ceremonies Hindu women used to wear Lawaagaa - Chunari लँहगा - चुनरी and other regional dresses.

Hindu women compulsorily wear some ornaments like ear-ring, necklace or chain, bangles, finger-rings, nose-pins, foot-anklet etc. 

Other ornaments are -

	अँगूठी  	- 	Angoothii		-	Ring
	कंगन  	-	Kangan		-	Bracelet
	कर्णफूल    	-	Karnaphool	-	Tops
	चीमटी    	-	Cheematii		-	Clip
	चूडियाँ    	-	Choodiyaan	- 	Bangles
	कटधनी/पेटी	- 	Petii		-	Belt
	बाजूबंद  	-	Bajooband		-	armlet
	मुकुट    	-	Mukut		-	crown

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