|
|
|
Language
The language of the Maldivians is Dhivehi and displays much
resemblance to several other languages from Sri Lanka, South
East Asia, North India. It contains many Arabic, Hindi and
English words.
Historically speaking the early people spoke "Elu"
a form of ancient Singhalese.
The language had gone many transformations and the present
day Dhivehi is written from left to right, probably to incorporate
many Arabic words. Modern Thaana script was invented in the
16th century following the overthrow of Portuguese. The earliest
Dhivehi is inscribed on copper plates known as the "Loamaafaanu".
The script is written with letters and vowels separately on
top or below the letters, depending on the sound.
Dhivehi is used equivocally in the administration of the country.
Until the 1960s, Dhivehi was also the medium of teaching in
al schools, but with the need for further education, Dhivehi
medium syllabuses changed to English medium teaching. For
this reason, English is widely understood, spoken and written
by the locals.
Dhivehi Phrases
| English
Phrases |
Dhivehi
Phrases |
| Hello
(formal) |
Assalaamu
Alaikum |
| Hello
(informal) |
Kihineh? |
| How
are you? |
Haalu
kihineh? |
| Yes |
Aan |
| No |
Noon |
| Where? |
Kobaa? |
| Why? |
Keevve? |
|
| |
|
| |
