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Malayalam
| Learn Malayalam - First words | ||
|---|---|---|
| Hi! | ഹായ്! hai! | |
| Hello! | ശുഭദിനം! shubhadinam! | |
| How are you? | എന്തൊക്കെയുണ്ട്? entheaakkeyundu? | |
| Good bye! | വിട! vida! | |
| See you soon! | ഉടൻ കാണാം! udan kaanam! | |
Facts about the Malayalam language
The Malayalam language is a treasure of South India, spoken predominantly in the state of Kerala and the Union territories of Lakshadweep and Puducherry. It is the mother tongue of the Malayali people and one of the 22 scheduled languages of India. This Dravidian language boasts a rich literary tradition and cultural heritage.
Originating from Old Tamil in the 8th century, Malayalam has evolved over centuries. It has its unique script, derived from the ancient Grantha alphabet, reflecting its historical and cultural evolution. The script is phonetic, meaning it largely represents sounds rather than ideas, which aids in its precise pronunciation.
Malayalam is distinguished by its extensive use of agglutination, where words are formed by stringing together morphemes without changing them in spelling or phonetics. This linguistic feature allows for the expression of complex ideas in a single word, showcasing the language’s versatility and depth.
The language boasts an impressive literary tradition that dates back to the 12th century, with the Ramacharitam poem being one of its earliest known works. Malayalam literature encompasses a wide range of genres, including poetry, novels, and short stories, reflecting the socio-political and cultural life of Kerala.
Malayalam’s vocabulary is rich and varied, incorporating words from Sanskrit, Tamil, and later, Portuguese, Dutch, Arabic, and English. This linguistic assimilation highlights Kerala’s historical trade links and multicultural interactions, contributing to the language’s dynamic nature.
Cultural expressions in Malayalam, such as classical and folk music, dance, and cinema, play a vital role in preserving and promoting the language. These art forms serve as mediums to express Malayali identity and heritage, ensuring the language’s vitality and relevance in the contemporary world.
Malayalam for beginners is one of over 50 free language packs that you can get from us.
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Our teaching materials for the Malayalam course are available both online and as iPhone and Android apps.
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The lessons are clearly structured and will help you achieve your goals.
Learn Malayalam fast with 100 Malayalam language lessons organized by topic.
