Hindi is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, with over 500 million native speakers. In recent years, there has been growth in the number of Hindi speakers in the United States due to immigration from India and other Hindi-speaking countries. This article will examine the key trends and statistics regarding the use of Hindi in the US and analyze whether its usage is truly growing amongst Americans.
Key Statistics on Hindi Speakers in the US
According to the 2015 American Community Survey by the US Census Bureau, there were 2.6 million Hindi speakers in the United States. This makes Hindi the 5th most spoken language in the country after English, Spanish, Chinese, and French. The number of Hindi speakers has been steadily rising over the past few decades:
- In 2010 there were 2.3 million speakers
- In 2000 there were 1.7 million speakers
- In 1990 there were 1.1 million speakers
Clearly, the number of Hindi speakers has more than doubled since 1990. The most significant growth has come from immigration, with over 80% of Indian immigrants in the US speaking Hindi.
Certain states have particularly high densities of Hindi speakers due to large Indian American populations. New Jersey has the highest concentration at 3.1% of the population, followed by New York, California, Texas, Illinois, and Pennsylvania. Amongst the major cities, New York City tops the list with over 630,000 Hindi speakers.
Growth of Hindi Media and Culture
An important indicator of the growth of a language is the availability of media and entertainment options. Hindi has made great strides in this regard within the US:
- Dozens of Hindi language newspapers, magazines, and websites cater to the Indian diaspora in America. Popular publications include News India Times, Desi Talk, India Abroad, Khabar, and India West among others.
- Cable/satellite TV providers offer Hindi programming through dedicated channels such as Zee TV, Sony TV, Colors TV, and others. Top shows from India air with subtitles for American audiences.
- Over 100 radio stations broadcast in Hindi to metro areas with large Desi populations.
- Hindi films from Bollywood and other regional film industries are widely screened across the US, both in theaters and online streaming.
- Celebrations for Indian festivals such as Diwali, Holi, and Navratri draw large participation from Hindi speakers.
Clearly, Hindi speakers have access to a thriving linguistic and cultural ecosystem to keep connected to their mother tongue.
Hindi Instruction in Schools
Several public and private schools across the US offer Hindi as a foreign language elective or in supplementary programs. This is an indicator of growing mainstream recognition of Hindi’s value and status.
According to a survey by the American Council of Teaching Foreign Languages:
- Hindi is taught in 81 public schools across 16 states
- Over 13,000 students enroll in Hindi language courses nationwide
- California, New York, New Jersey, and Texas have the highest enrollment numbers
In addition, over 200 temples, cultural organizations, and community halls offer Hindi classes for children and adults around the country.
While the overall percentage remains small, the addition of Hindi to academic curriculums illustrates its expansion beyond just immigrant populations. Younger generations are also more likely to retain professional fluency compared to parents who focused on English for career growth.
Usage in Yoga and Wellness
Yoga and meditation have become immensely popular in the United States over the past few decades. As these practices originated in India, many terms and chants traditionally used are based in Hindi and Sanskrit languages. For instance:
- Namaste – greeting
- Guru – teacher
- Pranayama – breathing exercises
- Chakras – energy centers in body
- Mantras – repeated words/phrases for meditation
Americans actively use such vocabulary to practice yoga, meditation, or ayurveda without necessarily realizing the Hindi origins. This niche adoption indicates Interest beyond just the Indian diaspora community.
Business and Economic Factors
India has become a major economic power and strategic partner for the United States in recent decades. Hindi is an asset for Americans seeking to tap into business, education, and political exchange with the subcontinent. Key factors include:
- India is projected to be world’s 3rd largest economy by 2030, fueling greater investment and trade.
- STEM fields see rising numbers of Indian immigrant professionals, particularly in tech hubs like Silicon Valley.
- Prestigious universities and corporates actively recruit graduates proficient in Hindi.
- Hindi is the national language of India alongside English, required for optimal exchange.
- Younger Indians have high disposable incomes and consume American products and media.
As such, Hindi language skills provide tangible career benefits for Americans with professional ties to India. It enables smoother communication, stronger relationships, negotiating contracts, managing offshore teams, and understanding consumer behavior.
Government Services
In recent years, several federal and state-level government agencies in the US have taken initiatives to better serve Hindi-speaking citizens and residents:
- The FBI added Hindi to their list of critical foreign languages in 2009.
- New York City’s municipal website offers select content in Hindi, as it is the 2nd most spoken language there.
- Courts provide official interpreters during legal proceedings for defendants not proficient in English.
- DMVs in states like New Jersey allow taking driver license written tests in Hindi.
- Emergency alerts and voting materials get translated in areas with high density of Hindi speakers.
While Hindi services are still limited, their availability indicates recognition of the growing prominence of the language in America due to immigration patterns.
Challenges for Growth of Hindi in America
Despite the favorable trends outlined earlier, there are also factors curtailing the expansion of Hindi amongst mainstream Americans:
- English continues to dominate as the universal language of commerce, pop culture, academia, and politics.
- Spanish holds strong appeal as the 2nd most spoken language, with 38 million speakers.
- New immigrants prioritize English fluency over retaining mother tongues.
- Hindi suffers an image problem compared to languages like French, Italian, or Mandarin.
- There are relatively limited career benefits for Americans who study Hindi, beyond niche fields.
- Schools prefer introducing more mainstream and economically relevant languages like Chinese or Arabic.
Unless there are stronger financial incentives or cultural shifts, Hindi may remain restricted largely to Indian immigrant households in the foreseeable future.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while Hindi has certainly grown within the US in recent decades, driven by immigration and economic links with India, it remains far from becoming a mainstream language. The majority of growth has been largely limited to ethnic enclaves and specialized fields rather than wider integration. Going forward, efforts can be made through policy initiatives, incentives, soft power influence and global trends to further raise the prominence and benefits of Hindi. But realistically, English and Spanish will continue to dominate the linguistic landscape in America.