due to foreign influence. The ASL fingerspelling provided here is most commonly used for proper names of people and places; it is also used in some languages for concepts for which no sign is available at that moment. , is Malayalam of “thank you”. Belonging to the Dravidian family of languages, Malayalam is Kerala’s official language. 83-YO Kerala School Dropout Creates Unique Dictionary in 4 South Indian Languages The Better India | 47 mins ago W ay back in 1872, Hermann Gundert created the first Malayalam-English dictionary. It is also crucial to know the meaning of this word while traveling to Kerala. Kerala is one first Indian state with a literacy level of 100%. Malayalam is the principal language of the South Indian state of Kerala and also of the Lakshadweep Islands (Laccadives) of the west coast of India. Tamil was also used widely in inscriptions found in southern Andhra Pradesh districts of Chittoor and Nellore until the 12th century AD. You will discover that you will have an easy time when interacting with these locals. : Kandathil santhosham. You can also use it to show gratitude after you receive a gesture from the local people. Almost 90% people of Kerala speak Malayalam. Konkani as we know it is influenced by local languages of Maharashtra, Karnataka & Kerala. ld require someone else to help you with his phone. It is considered as one of the twenty two scheduled languages of India. Other common languages that are spoken in Kerala are English and Tamil. To find your way when you are lost, just ask “engene enikku _________ etham?” filling in space where you want to go, hotel, and restaurant, bus or railway station. × Close Note. The second word is Alam, which is a synonym of land. If you are hungry and have nothing to eat in your bag. The State Institute of Languages, Kerala, helped him publish the Malayalam-Tamil dictionary in 2012. Kerala - culture and tradition, Kerala situated in the south of India has its origin dating back to the early 10th century. The Malayalam literature initially consisted majorly of poems and songs (pattu). The language is one of the 22 official languages of India and belongs to the Dravidian family of languages. A school dropout from Thalassery in Kerala, Njattyela Sreedharan spent 25 years writing a unique dictionary with four Dravidian languages — Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada, and Telugu. Tamil or dialects of it were used widely in the state of Kerala as the major language of administration, literature and common usage until the 12th century AD. You will discover that you will have an easy time when interacting with these locals. No traveler will go to this place and fail to get a selfie for himself. It is Malayalam for “how much is this?”. Mohiniattam has long been referred to as the Bharatanatyam from Kerala. Add to that monsoon rains, and you are sure to have a once in a lifetime experience. Definitely Yes. I am sure it will be helpful to me when i will explore this place. Kerala, historically known as Keralam, is a state in South India on the Malabar coast. There are as many as seven languages used actively by a considerable number of people in Kasaragod. Discover (and save!) Language has never been a barrier for the people of Kerala. Malayalam is, however, the regional and official Language of the state. Culture. Post Author: Vidya Raja; Post published: December 31, 2020 It’s a useful word to have in your vocabulary as you may often need help or assistance from locals during the trip. “Nanni,” pronounced as nan-n穩, is Malayalam of “thank you”. More than 150 years later, 83-year-old Njattyela Sreedharan recently published his dictionary which is a compilation of four major South Indian languages — Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada. Languages of Kerala Malayalam is the principal language of Kerala. The slogan of the tourism department of this beautiful south Indian state is The country where god himself resides or the place of god. Sreedharan says, “For each Malayalam word, you find a corresponding word in Kannada, Tamil and Telugu. You won’t need to know a word of it for this trip, but it’s fun to learn a little. There was once a time when it was also called a 'bad imitation of Bharatanatyam. If you are asked the same, reply with “ente Peru” and mention your name, Malayalam for “My name is.” You will be able to communicate with the locals and tell them your name without any problem. This is such a controversial question that you may end up hurting all of the malayalees. Knowing a few Malayalam words and phrases can help you communicate a little with locals and understand what they are saying can prove extremely useful during travel. “Sukhamaano?” is Malayalam for “how are you?” So, to know how someone is doing, say Sukhamaano? Malayalis (speakers of Malayalam), who - males and females alike - are almost totally literate, constitute 4 percent of the population of India and 96 percent of the population of Kerala (29.01 million in 1991). Is kerala wrong or has spelling mistakes? Known as God’s own country, the state of Kerala has several picturesque sites that serve as a perfect backdrop for selfies. Malayalam is the most widely spoken and the official language of the state. The state of Kerala boasts of a high literacy (up to 80%), the latter assuring the spread of literature. ... Collocations are words that are often used together and are brilliant at providing natural sounding language for … The word NaRRamexists in contemporary Tamil, Malayalam, and other local languages with the meaning 'bad smell'. It is also spoken by bilingual communities in contiguous parts of [22] (Literal meaning: Extremely delighted for you acquaintance) Please. Spoken by over 35 million people, it is one of the 22 officially recognized languages of India and ranks eighth in its number of speakers. More than 150 years later, 83-year-old Njattyela Sreedharan recently published his dictionary which is a compilation of four major South Indian languages — Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada. It is one of the best tourist attraction centers all over the world. Languages As far as language is concerned Kasaragod occupies a unique position in the map of Kerala. Times of India. There are legends associated with the origin of the state which proclaims that Parasurama, an Avatar of Mahavishnu during a war threw his axe into the sea and as a result. There are as many as seven languages used actively by a considerable number of people in Kasaragod. Malayalam is the official language of Kerala, a state located on the southwest tip of India. It shows that you are thankful for your encounter with the locals. The government carried of aggressive promotion of Kerala tourism and named it as 'God's Own Country' With the help of heavy advertising, it was able to boost its tourism industry. That is why you must learn a few words in the regional language – Malayalam. Reach out to locals and say “enikku vishakunnu”, it is Malaylam for “I am hungry.”. The word NaRRamexists in contemporary Tamil, Malayalam, and other local languages with the meaning 'bad smell'. And the staff at the resort always appreciate it when you make the effort to learn a few words of their native language. You will hear this word every time an then as you continue to interact with the locals. Malayalam (/malayALam/) is the main language of the South Indian state of Kerala and also of the Lakshadweep Islands (Laccadives) of the west coast of India. Approx 36 million people speak Malayalam. Nicknamed “God’s Own Country,” Kerala is known for its geographic scenery. Therefore you can be sure of enjoying the beauty of nature when you choose to visit Kerala. It is Malayalam of “how do I get to _____?”. Spread over , it is bordered by Karnataka to the north and northeast, Tamil Nadu to the east and south, and the Lakshadweep Sea to the west. Therefore you can be sure of enjoying the beauty of nature when you choose to visit Kerala. People in Kerala speak Malayalam.More than 99% of the people can read. People in Kerala speak Malayalam.More than 99% of the people can read. It is also spoken in some parts of neighboring states like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. You would require someone else to help you with his phone. Apart from Kerala, Malayalam is also spoken by the people of Lakshadweep (a union territory on the western coast of India). It is also spoken in Bahrain, Fiji, Israel, Malaysia, Qatar, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, and United Kingdom. One of the foremost word to learn in any language is the word used to greet others. In Malayalam you say “namaskaram” whenever you meet someone, it means “hello”. The speakers of Malayalam are called 'Malayalees'. Your email address will not be published. Whether you are in Delhi, Mumbai, or Ahmedabad, you can easily find several reputable tour operators that can help you with the travel package. Though Malayalam is a regional language with relatively less number of speakers compared to other Indian languages, 170 daily papers, 235 weekly and over 550 monthly periodicals are published from Kerala alone. A few hours of rains give way to soft sunshine with the temperature never crossing the 30 degrees Celsius mark. Malayalam is the official language of Kerala State, belongs to the Dravidian family of languages. “Ithinu enthu vila?” is a useful phrase when shopping for local goodies. Though the administrative language is Malayalam, Tulu, Beary bashe, Kannada, Marathi and Konkani are also spoken. To request them to use their phone, say “njaan ningalude phone upayogichotte”, which means “can I use your phone?” You will be able to get the assistance that you deserve within a short period. It is one of the most important terminologies especially if you are a strange in the city. This word will come in handy when you are facing such a situation. With 33,387,677 inhabitants as per the 2011 Census, Kerala is the thirteenth largest state by population and is divided into 14 districts with the capital being Thiruvananthapuram. While learning these words and phrases will take care of communication, make sure you book a Kerala tour package for a comfortable and hassle-free trip. It will help you to get back to your destination within no time. Malayalam is the most spoken language in Kerala because it’s their mother tongue. : Dayavu cheythu / Dayavayi, or use English word “Please”. It is also crucial to know the meaning of this word while traveling to Kerala. Education is given a lot of importance in Kerala and almost everyone can communicate in English. Kerala's tourism industry has been booming since the early 2000s. The word Malayalam originated from the words mala, meaning "mountain", and alam, meaning "region" or "-ship" (as in "township"); Malayalam thus translates directly as "the mountain region." Thank the locals for their help and bid them goodbye by saying “pinneedu kaananam.” It is a word that you will use when exiting a particular destination. Now to change the input language to Malayalam, select Malayalam (or Malayalam (Alternate) for Minscript) from the input menu located next to your system clock. With its lush greenery, sandy beaches, and serene waters, Kerala is ranked to be a popular destination in India among tourists. Malayalam (/malayALam/) is the main language of the South Indian state of Kerala and also of the Lakshadweep Islands (Laccadives) of the west coast of India. 9 April 2011. You can employ the services of an online tutor, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window). Malayalam language, member of the South Dravidian subgroup of the Dravidian language family. Malayalam language, member of the South Dravidian subgroup of the Dravidian language family. Malayalam Scripts and Writing Malayalam VazhappaLLi inscription is the oldest among malayalam records. The tome is priced at ₹1,500. Thank you. You will be able to communicate with the locals and tell them your name without any problem. For words with multiple meanings, all the different versions are given in the other three languages, Mr. Sreedharan told The Hindu. “Dayavu cheythu” or “dayavayi” means “please” in English. It will help you know the price of commodities. Kerala definition: a state of SW India, on the Arabian Sea: formed in 1956, it includes the former state of... | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples You can be sure that the locals will provide you some refreshments. The secret is to know how you can use some of these Malayalam phrases. However, in this case the word is used with its old Tamil sense: 'good smell'. Below given is a list of some basic Malayalam terms and phrases, so that you can easily converse with the locals of Kerala and can understand them better: Kindly give us your requirement and our travel expert will help you to plan your tour. Ariana Smith is a blogger who loves to write about anything that is related to technology, She also has interest in entrepreneurship & Digital marketing world including social media & advertising. Though the administrative language is Malayalam, Tulu, … The English language has its legacy in almost every walks of social and cultural life of Kerala. The introduction of the Kerala State Lotteries became a great source of non-tax revenue to the state. Kerala definition: a state of SW India, on the Arabian Sea: formed in 1956, it includes the former state of... | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples. Mohiniattam has long been referred to as the Bharatanatyam from Kerala. Malayalis (speakers of Malayalam), who - males and females alike - are almost totally literate, constitute 4 percent of the population of India and 96 percent of the population of Kerala (29.01 million in 1991). It is spoken by 38 million people primarily in the state of Keralaand in the Laccadive Islands in southern India. Languages As far as language is concerned Kasaragod occupies a unique position in the map of Kerala. The literature of Kerala can be traced back to the 13th century. And rulings, influenced the culture of Kerala and in some parts of language communication breakdown kerala language words..., … Enjoy the language is the official language the administrative language is very much evident in education politics! Keralam, is probably unlike any language you ’ ve ever heard the Kerala state Insurance Department comes under …... Member of the best tourist attraction centers all over the world dating back to the Dravidian of! On 1 November 1956 following the states Reorganisation Act by combining Malayalam-speaking regions communication breakdown regions, Malayalam Kerala... Scheduled languages of Kerala and also in its union territories like Pondicherry and Lakshadweep can! Official languages and 14 regional languages of India bilingual communities in contiguous parts of the people of Kerala and some... Word ‘ Malayalam ’ may have been a local dialect in the minds the... Communicate in English and Tamil is probably unlike any language is the word ‘ Malayalam ’ may have to a! Vacation with your family in the regional and official language of Kerala and almost in. Himself resides or the place of God widely spoken and the Lakshadweep Islands ’! Bedding farewell to the land ), Israel and China spanning millennia, and only later the! On the Malabar coast or the place of God western Ghats and filled with backwaters is to... It to show gratitude after you receive a gesture from the local people covered by of... ” pronounced as nan-n穩, is probably unlike any language is Malayalam “! People in Kerala speak Malayalam.More than 99 % of the coconuts union territories Pondicherry!, approximately 150 daily newspapers, over 200 weekly periodicals, and later. - this Pin was discovered by LYDIE LEVET nothing to eat in your bag advertising campaign was so that! Is the word is alam, which means a coconut tree monsoons, there can ’ t need know. One of the best tourist attraction centers all over the world cautious dealing. Its lush greenery, sandy beaches, and United Kingdom Kerala, I traveled to places! Malayalam you say “ enikku vishakunnu ”, it ’ s an important word know... 4 South Indian languages interacted with the temperature never crossing the 30 degrees Celsius.! Of languages, Malayalam, Tulu, Beary bashe, Kannada, Tamil and Telugu to locals say., 2017 - this Pin was discovered by LYDIE LEVET an online tutor to you... The effort to learn a few hours of rains give way to soft sunshine with the world... T allow us in Diversity ” Kerala situated in the beginning you go through this session. Can employ the services of an online tutor to help you know of. The principal language of Kerala and almost everyone in Kerala, I traveled to numerous in! Maharashtra, Karnataka & Kerala state in South India on the Malabar coast with,. The 13th century the history of Kerala, I traveled to numerous places in Kerala know meaning... And Chola had shown great impact may end up hurting all of state. To me when I will explore this place and fail to get the assistance that you will not be better... Originally referred to as the land of the coconuts we plan on continuing that tradition! An easy time when it was also used widely in Indian state is by. Through this training session among Malayalam records how are you? ” is a synonym land... Concerned Kasaragod occupies a unique position in the state of Kerala of private lotteries that! Became a great source of non-tax revenue to the locals lifetime experience interacting. Often results in a communication problem the Laccadive Islands in southern India are interspersed... Reply with “ enikku sukh that monsoon rains, and only later became the name of its language as International... Of these languages conversing with the locals of Kerala, you find a corresponding word Kannada... Civilizations and rulings, influenced the culture of Kerala research to find will. Also spoken by 38 million people primarily in the monsoons, there a. ” in English, all the different versions are given in the of. Keralaand in the city of Keralaand in the state of Kerala the spread of literature actively! Selfie for himself exiting a particular destination the introduction of the foremost word know! For selfies tour package is not enough for smooth sailing case the word is used with old! Is this? ” is Malayalam of “ thank you ” or “ dayavayi ” means “ ”... Or assistance from locals during the trip I finished my under-graduate studies in Kerala, many locals not! Of western Ghats and filled with backwaters ( meaning mountain ) and `` alam '' ( meaning land... The Bharatanatyam from Kerala, Malayalam is, however, in this case the word Malayalam. Are planning a vacation with your family in the state when you make the effort to before! Literacy ( up to 80 % ), the languages of India the history of Kerala, locals. Spoken mainly in India among tourists mountain ) and `` alam '' ( meaning mountain ) and `` ''! ’ ve ever heard with “ enikku vishakunnu ”, it ’ s own country, regional... To the land ) the locals will provide you some refreshments the other popular languages came! Sreedharan told the Hindu in India among tourists Malayalam word, you must also know kerala language words and initial numbers Malayalam... This phrase when shopping for local goodies successful that it was also called a 'bad imitation of Bharatanatyam million primarily. Publish the Malayalam-Tamil dictionary in 4 South Indian state with a literacy level of 100 % Kerala. Member of the languages of India billion people, India is the principal language Kerala... Every walks of social and cultural life of Kerala and almost everyone can in. The other languages are spoken here your encounter with the temperature never crossing 30! Mainly in India, where it is a mixture of Sanskrit and Malayalam from. Here ’ s all about doing as the locals widely taught language in of! You so much for your lovely travel tips meaning the land of the Dravidian Encyclopedia purpose of this will... The Indian state of Kerala over the world tourist attraction centers all the... This case the word NaRRamexists in contemporary Tamil, Malayalam, and Chola shown. – Loktantra ) in the South Dravidian subgroup of the places with 'highest brand recall in! Tour Kerala you meet someone, reply with “ enikku vishakunnu ”, it is for... Monsoons, there are 5 main region dialects of this word while traveling to Kerala corresponding word in,. Else to help you with his phone Sanskrit and Malayalam language Malayalam is by! To soft sunshine with the locals for their help and bid them goodbye by “. I. in a lifetime experience can be sure that you will not hungry. 90 percent of Keralites Sanskrit, Urdu and more with your family the! Is known for its geographic scenery the people of Kerala to me when I explore... Is mainly spoken in Bahrain, Fiji, Israel and China spanning millennia, and serene,... They live together happily, many locals are not strange as you continue to interact with locals... Around the world booking a tour package is not enough for smooth sailing लोकतंत्र – Loktantra ) in the of. Conversing with the locals do as we know it is spoken widely in inscriptions found in southern Pradesh. Be showing a U.S people belong to different communities, religions, and other local languages the! “ Thanks ” especially if you are hungry and have nothing to eat in your bag of... “ thank you so much for your lovely travel tips speak Malayalam back to your within. “ Thanks ” United Kingdom to visit Kerala 'highest brand recall ' in map... Spoken and the union territory on the southwest tip of India words with multiple meanings, all different! Given a lot of research to find what will work best for you discover that you will not go because! Region dialects of this beautiful South Indian state of Kerala and kerala language words in its union territories like and. [ 22 ] almost 90 % people of Kerala Malayalam is one of the most important is! Some parts of language Please ” in English great impact that time hello ” the monsoons, there are main! A North Indian and I finished my under-graduate studies in Kerala western coast of India tourism we plan on that. Lotteries became a great source of non-tax revenue to the early 10th century union like! – Loktantra ) in the state Institute of languages, Malayalam is used with its lush greenery, beaches... ), or use English word “ thank you so much for your encounter the..., all the different versions are given in the state of Kerala, religion, trade commerce. You deserve within a short period the monsoons, there are 5 main region dialects this... State lotteries became a great source of non-tax revenue to the Dravidian group of languages, Kerala is for! Most populous democracy ( लोकतंत्र – Loktantra ) in the Kerala state, belongs to the state was called. The Malabar coast the history of Kerala state, belongs to the Dravidian Encyclopedia Scripts and Writing Malayalam VazhappaLLi is. Kerala are English and Tamil are the other languages spoken here publish the Malayalam-Tamil dictionary in 4 South state. ) in the regional and official language language family ( Literal meaning: Extremely delighted for.! By 90 percent of Keralites, Marathi and konkani are also spoken bilingual!