Language Study in India

I was lucky to be able to participate in AIIS‘ Malayalam language course this past summer, and I highly recommend AIIS’ language programs (which is now accepting applications):
The American Institute of Indian Studies welcomes applications for its
summer 2010 and academic year 2010-2011 language programs. Programs to be offered include Hindi (Jaipur), Bengali (Kolkata), Punjabi (Mohali), [...]

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Some pictures from a houseboat trip in Kollam

Kollam=next district up from TRV. Houseboat=traditional home of many fisherfolk
Note the fishing nets (Cheenvala, Chinese Fishing Nets).

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Autorickshaws and haggling over 50 cents

Depending on the types of interactions I’ve had all day, I either feel that everyone here is out to rob/screw me, or is trying to just make an honest living.
For example, I’m sometimes overcharged 30 rupees for an autorickshaw ride of under 4 kilometers. I never know when and how much to haggle, and [...]

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Language update

If you want to know the truth, I’ve hit a low in my Malayalam studies. I’ve mentioned before that Malayalam is a hard language to learn –but what really hit it home was my inability to read Kerala in Malayalam last week. Kerala, the birthplace of my parents. Kerala, the place whose [...]

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Just turned in my first fellowship application

Now hopefully I can concentrate on memorizing the Malayalam alphabet? (Although I admit doing my own PhD research has been fun –I’ve been meeting a lot of people who have lots to say about organic farming here.)

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Learning the Malayalam alphabet is hard

Even with the slight advantage of understanding simple conversation, I’m finding learning and memorizing the Malayalam alphabet to be quite challenging. There are 15 vowels, symbols for the vowels, 30 consonants, half consonants, double consonants, and clusters to memorize. Many of the sounds don’t even exist in English. I admit I am [...]

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Malayalee Matrimonial Ads

Malayalee Matrimonial Ads are fascinating, and give one strange insight into the ideals of this society. One the one hand, you have ads with the following language (usually in the so-called “cosmopolitan” section):
-Caste no bar
-Language no bar
-Mixed cultured man looking for bride
-Seeks educated bridegroom
-Seeks employed, educated bride
On the other hand, there is also this [...]

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Identity, adjustments, dialects, and more sweat

I am reminded that I am an outsider by how much my body sweats compared to the average Malayalee around me. No amount of talcum powder or coconut oil quells my drips and frizz. Instead I walk around like a greasy mess, stammering simple Malayalam as shop clerks giggle behind counters and rickshaw [...]

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Malayalam words found in English

Most people I have run into (outside of India) have never heard of Malayalam before. I sometimes like to drop trivia to demonstrate how un-obscure it is.
For example, two well known words (that I currently know of), come from Malayalam (some might dispute this specific an etymology, and argue that the words come from [...]

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Dubai’s superhit Malayalam radio station!

First, the link to the radio station (warning, music will start almost immediately). Old and new music, Dubai weather, and silly stories are all there.
Now, the link for Roku Radio, a site where you can search for and stream lots of international radio stations.

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