(Need advice) Getting started with Urdu

[Umer]

Hi, so recently I've been trying to get myself into reading Urdu. I speak basic, informal Urdu and I would like to take it to the next level by being able to speak fluently and be able to read without any hesitation.

I've not attended any lessons but with help from family members I am able to read but get stuck with the meaning of difficult words. As I live in the UK, I don't get much opportunity to practice my conversational Urdu. My goal is to eventually do Masters in Urdu, but I am nowhere near as good to even enrol myself onto the course yet.

Can you guys please recommend me some easy to read Urdu books to begin with, or one with collection of short stories with glossary something similar to the format of the book 'Urdu: Readings in Literary Urdu Prose'.

Your advice or suggestions will be much appreciated and welcomed. :)

[Umer]

Xainab wrote: "This would be very helpful for me, too, as I also live in the UK and my situation is pretty much the same, except from the Masters part! :) So I will be stalking this thread as and when the suggest..."

Of course, All the best!

[Salman]

Congratulations brother, you have fallen for urdu language. Just dont try to climb to the top ,make shorter goals. there are many urdu book you can read. Start reading Zaviya by Ashfaq ahmed. There is another book named " short stories of saddat hassan manto" . you can easily read both.

you can listen to urdu I am posting useful links here. you will got to know it is being read.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqBp3...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWqsN...

[Umer]

@Salman. I think you are right, I've fallen for Urdu Language :D. I have actually started reading Zaviya. I heard quite a lot about Manto. I'll add that to my list to read.

I appreciate your help! Thank you for the links as well. I will definitely listen to it. Thanks again.

[Aysha]

if you are new to Urdu start with Umera Ahmad or Nimra Ahmad.You will be able to under Master's work better once you get a hold of Urdu.Mumtaz mufti,Manto,Ishfaq Ahmad ,Bano Qudsia are some of must reads

[Mujahid]

Start with the contemporary writers and then go towards classics.

[Umer]

@Aysha @Mujahid. Thank you very much guys. I am currently reading a book by Umera Ahmed Pir-e-kamil. I find it so much easier to read and understand as oppose to Zaviya. The work by Ashfaq Ahmed is great, but i feel as if its too advance for me at this stage. You need to grasp the wisdom behind his words to truly benefit from the book. I feel I am not there yet.

[Namoos]

You can read short stories and poetry of Ahmed Nadeem Qasmi, He is one of the most important poet and writer of Pakistani urdu literature, his short stories and ghazals are in course books of Urdu as well as English. You can also read short stories of Rajindar Singh Bedi, Prem Chand. You can also read Bajang Amad by Colonel Muhammad Khan.

[Aakash]

I think You need to increase your vocabulary skills...