Real-world Malayalam text is abbreviated, stylised and full of conventions nobody explains. This class explains them. Signboards come first, because most carry the English underneath and you can check yourself instantly. Next come the instruction words on gates and walls, the road and direction signs, and how a Kerala menu is organised, including full, half and parcel. Then the hardest and most necessary text: the field names that repeat on every form, the declaration line at the bottom, and the two questions to ask before you submit anything. Words and phrases in this class: ചായക്കട (chaayakkada) – tea shop മെഡിക്കൽ സ്റ്റോർ (medical store) – pharmacy പ്രവേശനം ഇല്ല (praveshanam illa) – no entry പട്ടിയുണ്ട് സൂക്ഷിക്കുക (pattiyundu sookshikkuka) – beware of the dog വലത്തോട്ട് (valathottu) – right ഇടത്തോട്ട് (idathottu) – left പ്രാതൽ (praathal) – breakfast പാഴ്സൽ (paarsal) – takeaway മേൽവിലാസം (melvilaasam) – address ജനന തീയതി (janana theeyathi) – date of birth ഒപ്പ് (oppu) – signature എവിടെയാണ് ഒപ്പിടേണ്ടത്? (evideyaanu oppidendathu?) – where should I sign? ഇത് ശരിയാണോ എന്ന് ഒന്ന് നോക്കാമോ? (ithu shariyaano ennu onnu nokkaamo?) – could you check whether this is correct? In this class: • Shop boards and the instruction words on gates and walls • Road and direction signs • How a Kerala menu is organised: categories, portions, parcel • Form fields, the declaration line, and two questions that save a return visit Quizzes below. Dr. Reshmi R Nair — SpeakMalayalam.