How well would you rate your language skills? While most of us are fluent in our native tongue, some of us might still stutter while speaking a foreign language — well, not these content creators! They might have been born or even grown up outside India, but they have embraced the country’s languages and cultural quirks.
With entertaining and educational content on Instagram, these foreign nationals are acing desi languages, from Hindi and Bengali to Malayalam. Next time you want some fun and wholesome content in your native tongue, My Kolkata recommends you check out these ‘foreign desi’ Instagrammers…
The Korean Bihari
Indians are in love with Korean culture and entertainment but Yechan C. Lee aka Charlie did a reverse. This young man grew up in Bihar when his parents moved there in the 1990s. Being the only Korean family in their neighbourhood in Patna at that time, Charlie had to adjust himself in school because of how different the cultures were. Going to school and living in Patna for 20 years meant he learned to speak in Hindi and picked up the right regional accent. After a reel of Charlie speaking with a Bhojpuri accent when meeting his friends blew up, he became known as the Bihari Korean boy of Instagram. The creator now uploads skits and covers songs in Hindi and Bhojpuri. And might we say, in the perfect accent!
Keyton Kutty’s Malayalam lessons
Do you know Malayalam? Do you want to learn? Then, Elizabeth Keyton aka @eli.kutty can be your perfect teacher. The American content creator speaks the language with perfect diction and uploads content about the nuances of Malayalam words and sounds. Originally from Georgia, Elizabeth taught English in South Korea, the UAE and Vietnam, but embarked on a journey of learning the language after marrying her Malayali husband Arjun. Perhaps the most interesting parts of her videos are when she switches between her American English accent and en-point Malayalam diction.
When Bengali met Basil
Language is what brought Suprateek Banerjee from Benaras — aka Mango — and Daniela Baron from Naples— aka Basil — together in Germany. They met, they signed up for a language exchange programme where she taught him Italian and he taught her English. They fell in love and through their intercultural marriage, they discovered Italian, Indian and Bengali cultures. If you are in the mood for content with cultural faux pas with a whole lot of love, then Mango and Basil is the account to look out for. Basil’s fluent Bangla and Mango’s Italian will win your hearts as the duo make you learn and laugh, dropping home truths, with the help of accessory characters like Baby Basil and Mango, Mango’s uncle Malda Jethu, Basil’s aunty Zia Marjoram. All this while making sure they promote being appropriate and accepting. The best ones, we think, are those when they find words and phrases in Bengali and Italian that mean the complete opposite, and end up trolling each other.
An American in Bihar
Have you ever been reprimanded by an American speaking rapidly in Hindi? Well Jessica Kumar will do just that, especially if one is caught stereotyping. Kumar’s foray into Hindi and India began long before her American-Indian love marriage. She lived in Haridwar and was always interested in the language and culture. After marrying her husband Abhishek, she moved to India to his home in Patna. She has been teaching locals and expats Hindi for many years, and is also the creator of the Invisible India podcast that forays into topics of language, exploring offbeat destinations, cross-cultural parenting and more.
The very desi videshi
Not only does Drew Hicks speak fluent Hindi, but his jokes are on point on cultural nuances. This American boy can banter with you with the quintessential desi flavour! The American content creator will have you in splits as he narrates his story through skits — from asking for directions in Mumbai, to dealing with a tour guide and shopping with his Punjabi bestie in Delhi. He calls his son ‘Bauwa’, rattles off desi slangs with ease, has won a content creator award in India and like a cool cat is constantly promoting his love for Hindi and for India.
