Malayalam, Kasaragod

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The language spoken by Malayalee communities in Kasaragod(Now, part of Kerala) and Mangalore (now, part of Karnataka) varies from the standard Malayalam to a great extent. Unlike, standard Malayalam this has remained relatively un-influenced by Sanskrit. However, it is unclear if the language is closer to Tamil because of this.

[edit] Salient features

  • Over usage of 'ny' (ñ , ɲ) unlike neighbouring Tulu and Kannada.
  • Lack of or loss of Approximant consonants like neighbouring Tulu and Kannada.
  • Presence of sound 'b' instead of 'v'(in standard Malayalam) like neighbouring Tulu and Kannada.
  • Words end with aa whereas in other colloquial Malayalam they end with o.
  • People generally use pronouns during direct conversation like neigbouring Tulu, Kannada people unlike in standard Malayalam.
  • Some of the words start with 'i' in which place standard Malayalam employs 'u'.

eg. indu(undu ) , ipperi (upperi)

[edit] Unique words

chell'  = say
njaaya  = talk, word
nirona  = memory
okku    = yes

[edit] Present state

Most of the people in Kasaragod region have picked up standard Malayalam. However, in Managalore it is still spoken but many of the younger generation generally adopt local languages like Kannada or Tulu as their mother tongue. The migrant population tends to learn standard Malayalam.