Travel to Madagascar: Malagasy language teaching program

One should say that in Madagascar there is real linguistic unit which can be seen through the practice of the official Malagasy; the one which is spoken in the Highland. Following colonization, French is the second most spoken language in the country. Here a basic knowledge of the Malagasy language:

I. The Malagasy alphabet

The Malagasy alphabet is made up of 21 letters. C, q, u, w, and x are omitted. Individual letters are pronounced as follows:

• a: as in arm
• e: as in ten
• g: as in get
• h: almost silent
• i: as in sit
• j: pronounced dz
• o: as in too
• s: usually between sh as s but varies according to region
• z: as in Zoo

Diphtongues:

• ai: like y in try
• ao: like ow in Now
• eo: it doesn't exist in English but it sounds closer to ai in hair.

II. Syntax

Contrary to the English language, in Malagasy the verb is put at the beginning of the sentence, then it is followed by the subject except in an emphatic sentence.

Eg: I am eating an apple.

S V C

The translation is:

Mihinana paoma aho.

V C S

NB: There is no gender (feminine/masculine) or number (singular/plural) in Malagasy. Moreover, the verb "to be" doesn't exist in Malagasy.

Eg: He is ill. (the present tense, 3rd person of the singular, the punctual aspect is expressed by the m- in the verb).

Marary izy.

III. Useful words and expressions

Tompoko pronounced "Toomp'k'" is a polite phrase which can be added at the end of any question or answer. It is the equivalent of Madam/Sir in English.

Greetings:

• Good morning! Good afternoon! Good evening!: Manahoana (tompoko)!
• Hello! Hi!: Manahoana (tompoko)!
• (Hello!) How are you?: Manahoana (tompoko)
• Fine thank you: Tsara fa misaotra (tompoko)!
• I am very well, thank you!: Tsara fa misaotra (tompoko)!
• What's news? Inona no vaovao?
• No news! Tsy misy (vaovao)

Identifying people:

• What's your name?: Iza no anaranao?
• My name is John: John no anarako.


• How old are you?: Firy taona ianao?
• I'm 13 years old: 13 taona aho.


• Where are you from?: Avy aiza ianao?
• I'm from London, England.: Avy any Londre any Angletera aho.


• How many brothers and sisters have you got?: Firy ny rahalahinao sy anabavinao?
• I have 2 brothers and 3 sisters.: 2 ny rahalahiko ary 3 ny anabaviko.

Saying good bye:

• Good bye! Veloma (tompoko)!
• See you again! Mandrapihaona!

Thankings:

• Thank you!: Misaotra (tompoko)!
• Thank you very much!: Misaotra betsaka (tompoko)!
• It doesn't matter!: Tsy misy fisaorana (tompoko)!
• You are welcome!: Tsy misy fisaorana (tompoko)!

Apologizing:

• I'm sorry!: Azafady (tompoko)/miala tsiny (tompoko)!
• I'm terribly/awfully sorry!: Miala tsiny indrindra (tompoko)!

Agreeing/disagreeing:

• Yes: Eny. In spoken language, people use a shortened version "ye" like in yes.
• No: Tsia. In spoken language, people use a shortened version "aaa"
• I agree with you: Mitovy hevitra aminao aho/Marina izany
• I disagree with you: Tsy mitovy hevitra aminao aho/Tsy marina izany.

The 7 days of week:

• Monday: Alatsinainy
• Tuesday: Talata
• Wednesday: Alarobia
• Thursday: Alakamisy
• Friday: Zoma
• Saturday: Asabotsy
• Sunday: Alahady

The 12 months of the year:

• January: Janoary
• February: Febroary
• March: Martsa
• April: Aprily
• May: May
• June: Jiona
• July: Jolay
• August: Aogositra
• September: Septambra
• October: Oktobra
• November: Novambra
• December: Desambra

Simple phrases for conversation:

• What's your name? Iza no anaranao?
• My name is X: X no anarako.


• (Very) good: Tsara (be)!
• (Very) bad: Ratsy (be)!


• How much?: Ohatrinona?
• Too expensive: Lafo be
• I would like to buy this: Te hividy an'ity aho.


• Where is .... ? Aiza ny ....?
• Is it far? Lavitra ve ?


• I am hungry: Noana aho
• I am thirsty: Mangetaheta aho
• I am tired: reraka aho
• food/meal: sakafo
• water: rano
• Sugar: siramamy
• Salt: sira
• Rice: vary
• Eggs: atody


• Village: tanàna
• House: trano
• River: renirano
• Bridge: tetezana
• Road: lalana


• Hospital: hôpitaly
• Doctor: dokotera
• Drug/medicine: fanafody
• Pharmacy: fivarotam-panafody
• Fever: fanaviana, tazo


• A man: lehilahy
• A woman: lehilahy
• A child: ankizy, zaza