The way a language speaks to its children tells you a great deal about the culture, and Malayalam's is very warm. This class starts with മോനേ and മോളേ, which any older person may use to any younger one, so that a stranger can call you son or daughter. You then learn the endearments, why a parent says അമ്മ വരാം instead of 'I will come', and the vocabulary of childhood and school. Then come the things you actually say to a child: commands, comfort and the praise words മിടുക്കൻ and മിടുക്കി. The second half gives four practical rules for raising a child with Malayalam, and a note for heritage speakers who understand far more than they can say. Words and phrases in this class: മോനേ (mone) – son, dear (calling a boy) മോളേ (mole) – daughter, dear (calling a girl) പൊന്നുമോനേ (ponnumone) – my golden son അമ്മ വരാം (amma varaam) – Mother will come പഠിപ്പിക്കുക (padippikkuka) – to teach (to cause to learn) പേടിക്കണ്ട (pedikkanda) – don't be afraid കരയണ്ട (karayanda) – don't cry മിടുക്കൻ (midukkan) – clever boy, good boy മിടുക്കി (midukki) – clever girl, good girl എത്ര വയസ്സായി? (ethra vayassaayi?) – how old is he or she? ഏത് ക്ലാസ്സിലാണ്? (ethu klaassilaanu?) – which class is he or she in? നമുക്ക് കളിക്കാം (namukku kalikkaam) – let's play മോനേ, ചോറ് കഴിച്ചോ? (mone, choru kazhicho?) – son, have you eaten? In this class: • മോനേ and മോളേ, and why any elder may call you that • Endearments, and adults who speak of themselves as അമ്മ • What to say to a child: commands, comfort and praise • Four rules for keeping Malayalam alive in a child, and a word for heritage speakers Quizzes below. Dr. Reshmi R Nair — SpeakMalayalam.