Malayalam

Malayalam is one of Indias main (i think there are eight or nine ) languages and one of indias probably over 1600 other languages. with many many more dialects and sublanguages. Malayalam is spoken in the province of Kerala and is  taught in the schools. along with other languages.

The newspaper is in Malayalam. There is based in sanskrit and there are 56 characters in the Malayalam alphabet compared to our puny and  limiting 26 – now that would be a scrabble challenge. The letters are beautiful and curly – lots of circles and interesting accents – artistic.

On the right is a note that was written for me to take to the tailor who made me my sari top –  beautiful writing.

Wikipedia has actually set up an office in Kerala and hired a few people to record and document this language .
Click on the youtube button above to hear a conversation  in Malayalam between Suseela and one of her past PhD students. She told me they are talking about soil chemistry and the subject of photonics which one of this students children is now taking as their phd thesis. She said they are on the verge of nanotechnology that will detect cancer easily and that photonics is the area of science that comes after electronics.

Marjorie’s Malayaam

I know a few words and phrases but i can only write them phonetically. They laugh at my accent.

marjorie malayalam pawdehchew – marjorie is learning malayalam
poi verrum – i will go and return tomorrow  (they have no word for goodbye)
poi verra – I will go and return later today
ningle chededuh nunnayee – you  have done a good job for me
ningle kut sukamamoh noh   how are you
iri guega – sit down
aday – yes
mugum – face
naladuh – good
nuhnee – thankyou
chuduh – hot
valay – water
cheduh – ok
lili guega – stand up
talah – head
padhujm – foot
pawdeechew- learn
nala talah coolkianum – i will wash my hair tomorrow
nalla talah coolkiala – i will wash my hair today
chechi – big sister