Following is the list of basic terms of communication in English which are converted in Malayalam Language.
Hello : namaskaram. (very formal, so the below informal form is common)
Hello. (informal) : Aay or “a’ye”, You can use English “Hello” or “Hi”.
The Arabic language contributes a large number of words into a dialect form of Malayalam that is spoken by the Muslim Mappila community of North Kerala.There are also some common words which are used throughout Kerala.There are more than 900 words taken from Arabic and commonly used in Malayalam. Malayalam Basic Terms of Communication translated in English Following is the list of basic terms of communication in English which are converted in Malayalam Language. Hello: namaskaram. (very formal, so the below informal form is common) Hello. (informal): Aay or “a’ye”, You can use English “Hello” or “Hi”. How are you?: sukhamaano? (Literal meaning: Are.
How are you? : sukhamaano? (Literal meaning: Are you fine/comfortable?)
or, Enthokkeyundu / Enth okke undu? (Literaly, What all are there?)
I am not fine : Enikku sukham illa
Yes, thank you. : Ssherri/Athe, Nanni.
I am fine. : Enikku sukhamaanu.
What is your name? : Ningalude peru enthaanu? / Peru entha? / Pay-ray-ntha? / Thangalude peru enthaanu? (with respect)
My name is ______ : Ente peru ______ .
Nice to meet you. : Kandathil santhosham. Parichayappettathil valare santhosham. (Literal meaning: Extremely delighted for you acquaintance)
Please. : Dayavu cheythu / Dayavayi, or use English word “Please”
Thank you. : Nanni (pronounced: nan-ní), or use English word “Thank you” or “Thanks”
Thank you very much : orupadu nanni or Valare upakaram, or you can say in English, or repeat “Thank you” two times.
You’re welcome(greeting). : (formal) Swaagatham; (informal) varu varu / varanam varanam.
Yes. : Athey/ Ssherri (Literal Meaning: Correct)
No. : Illa
Not: Alla
Excuse me. (getting attention) : sradhikyu / kshamikkanam onningottu nokkoo / or in English “Excuse me”.
Excuse me. (begging pardon) : Kshamikkoo or in English “Sorry” / “I am sorry”.
I’m sorry: Ennodu Kshamichaalum. (say this if it was your fault)
I’m sorry. : Kashttamayi Pooyi / Kashttamundu (when you listen to bad news)
Don’t mind: Saaramilla, (say this if you are comforting sombody)
Goodbye : Pinneedu kaananam (Vida) / Pinne kaanam / Veendum kaanaam (Literal meaning: I will see you again later), or say in English “Goodbye” / “Bye” / “Bye Bye”/ “Tata” / “Tata Bye Bye”.
I can’t speak Malayalam.: Enikku ‘Malayalam’ samsaarikkan ariyilla / Malayalam ariyilla.
Do you speak English? : Ningal English Samsaarikkumo ? / English ariyumo?
Is there someone here who speaks English? : Ivide English samsaarikkan ariyunnavar aarenkilum undo ? / English ariyunnavar aarenkilum undo?
Help! : Sahaayikkoo!
Help (Save) : Rakshikoo
Look out! : Nokkoo! / Sradhikku !
I did not understand. : Kshamikkanam Enikku manassilaayilla / manassilaayilla
Where are you going? : Ningal evideya pokunnathu?
Where is the toilet? : Kakkoos Evideyaanu? (Kakkoos means toilet)
Where is the Bathroom? : Kulimuri Evideyaanu? (Kuli = bath, muri = room)
Wake up : Eneekku (slang) / Ezhunelku (informal)/ Dayavu cheythu Ezhunelku (as a request)
Do you like me? : Enne ishtamaano?
I love you : enniku ninne ishtam annu / enniku ninne ishtamaayi (I like you); I love you (as a lover): Njan ninne premikkunnu ( Njan means ‘I’);
I hate you : Enikku ninne ishtam alla. OR Njan ninne verukkunnu. OR enniku ninne verripu annu
Can you show me the way? : Enikku vazhi kaanichu tharaamo? ( vazhi means ‘way’)
How old are you? : Ningalkethra vayassayi?
I am hungry : Enikku vishakunnu
Where can I get some water? : Enikku alpam vellam evide kittum? OR kurachu vellam tharumo? (literal: Can you give me a little water?)
Hospital : Aashupathri
Can we go for a movie? : Namukku oru cinemekku pokaamo?
What is the matter?: Entha karyam?
I forgot: Njan Marannu
I don’t know: Enikku ariyilla (r as in Rough)
Later: Pinneedu/Pinne
After: Kazhinjittu/shesham
Before: Mumbu /Munpu
Wait: Onnu Nilku
One question: Oru chodhyam
The term Sriramodantam is composed of two words ‘Srirama’ and ‘udantam’ meaning ‘the story of Srirama’. Sriramodantam is a ‘laghukavyam’ (minor poetical composition) that has been in use as the first text in old Sanskrit Curriculum of Kerala for last five centuries. As per this curriculum the students were taught this text along with Amarakosa and Siddharoopam immediately after they had learnt the Sanskrit alphabets (Varnamala). This Kavya, which is a highly abridged version of “Valmiki Ramayana”, was used as a tool to teach effectively Vibhakti, Sandhi, Samasa, etc to young pupils.
There will hardly be a Sanskrit knowing person from Kerala who does not know by-heart at least a few verses of this work, which begins with the verse “श्रीपतिं प्रणिपत्याहं श्रीवत्साङ्कितवक्षसं श्रीरामोदन्तमाख्यास्ये श्रीवाल्मीकिप्रकीर्तितम्”. Though the traditional style of teaching Sanskrit exists no more in Kerala, the ‘balakanda’ of Sriramodantam found a place in the Sanskrit text books prepared by the State board till a few decades back. This shows how significant a role this work had played in imparting basic lessons of Sanskrit to the young minds.
It is a great pity that the author of Sriramodantam is unknown. The author, in his inimitable and simple style, has narrated, in just 200 verses, the seven kandas of Ramayana that was expounded by sage Valmiki in 24000 verses.
Any suggestion for improving this translation is welcome.