Malayalam
A language of India
| Population | 35,400,000 in India (1997). Population total all countries: 35,893,990. |
| Region | Kerala, Laccadive Islands, neighboring states. Also in Bahrain, Canada, Fiji, Israel, Malaysia (Peninsular), Qatar, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States. |
| Alternate names | Alealum, Malayalani, Malayali, Malean, Maliyad, Mallealle, Mopla |
| Dialects | Malabar, Nagari-Malayalam, Malayalam, South Kerala, Central Kerala, North Kerala, Kayavar, Namboodiri, Moplah (Mapilla), Pulaya, Nasrani, Nayar, Kasargod. Caste and communal dialects: Namboodiri, Nayar, Moplah, Pulaya, Nasrani. Mapilla is among the most divergent dialects, differing considerably from literary Malayalam. |
| Classification | Dravidian, Southern, Tamil-Kannada, Tamil-Kodagu, Tamil-Malayalam, Malayalam |
| Language use | State language of Kerala. Cochin Jews in Kerala speak Malayalam. |
| Language development | Fully developed. Bible: 1841–2004. |
| Writing system | Arabic script. Malayalam script. |
| Comments | State language of Kerala and Lakshadweep. Saivite Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Jewish. |
Also spoken in:
Singapore
| Language name | Malayalam |
| Population | 10,000 in Singapore. Ethnic population: 14,000 (1993). |
| Alternate names | Alealum, Malayal, Malayalani, Malean, Maliyad, Mallealle, Mopla |
| Comments | Christian. |
Entries from the SIL Bibliography about this language:
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Bibliography data last updated: April-2012
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