Every other lesson teaches you to read Kerala. This one shows you how Kerala is reading you. Your shoes at the threshold, which hand you use, whether you accept the tea, whether you used an address word, whether you came back to the same shop. Most of what a Malayali notices is cheap to fix, and none of it depends on how good your Malayalam is. Phrases to use with this class: നമസ്കാരം (namaskaaram) – hello (respectful greeting) ചേട്ടാ (chettaa) – older brother (polite address to a man) ചേച്ചീ (chechee) – older sister (polite address to a woman) സാർ (saar) – sir ചായ കുടിക്കാം (chaaya kudikkaam) – I'll have some tea വീട്ടിൽ എല്ലാവർക്കും സുഖമാണോ? (veettil ellaavarkkum sukhamaano?) – is everyone at home well? പേര് എന്താ? (peru enthaa?) – what is your name? ഒന്ന് സഹായിക്കാമോ? (onnu sahaayikkaamo?) – could you help me a little? ഞാൻ വീണ്ടും വരാം (njaan veendum varaam) – I'll come again ക്ഷമിക്കണം (kshamikkanam) – please excuse me, sorry നന്ദി (nandi) – thank you മോളുടെ പരീക്ഷ എങ്ങനെ ഉണ്ടായിരുന്നു? (molude pareeksha engane undaayirunnu?) – how was your daughter's exam? In this class: • What is noticed in the first second — footwear, hands, accepting what you are offered • What is noticed in the first conversation — address terms, names, asking after family • What is noticed over weeks — coming back, remembering, reciprocating, asking for help • What is quietly counted against you, and how to avoid it Quizzes below. Dr. Reshmi R Nair — SpeakMalayalam.