Maldivian language

(Redirected from Dhivehi language)

Dhivehi, Divehi or Mahl is an Indo-Aryan language.

Maldivian
Dhivehi
ދިވެހި, <span title="Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Language/data/ISO 639 override' not found. transliteration" class="Unicode" style="white-space:normal; text-decoration: none">dhivehi ދިވެހިބަސް, <span title="Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Language/data/ISO 639 override' not found. transliteration" class="Unicode" style="white-space:normal; text-decoration: none">dhivehi-bas
Dhivehiscript.svg
Native toThe Maldives Minicoy Island (Maliku)
Native speakers340,000  (2012)e18
Language family
Early forms:
Elu
  • Maldivian
Writing systemThaana
(Dhives Akuru until the 18th century)
Official status
Official language in Maldives
Regulated byDhivehi Academy
Language codes
ISO 639-1dv
ISO 639-2div
ISO 639-3div

It is spoken by about 350,000 people in the Republic of Maldives and Suvadives and also in the disputed island of Minicoy (Maliku), claimed by Maldivians that is annexed by neighbouring India, where it is known by another name, the Mahal language or Mahl (މަހަލް). In the Maldives, it is the official national language. In different atolls the words may change but have the same meaning.

Dhivehi is the main language spoken in Maldives. Since it involves the use of many English, Hindi and Arabic words, it seems to resemble many languages spoken in Sri Lanka, South East Asia and North India.

In the earlier times, people spoke "Elu", a language that was basically a form of ancient Singhalese language. This language underwent a lot of transformations and gave rise to the Dhivehi language of today. Dhivehi is written from left to right. In the olden days, the language was inscribed on the copper plates, popularly known as the "Loamaafaanu".

Maldivian Language Media

References