Two minutes of warm, broken sentences, then the phone goes to whoever can translate. This class is designed to end that. A Kerala phone call almost always follows the same sequence, with the same questions in the same order, so if you learn the shape you can hold the call. You learn the opening handshake, the questions they will ask, your answers, and the questions to ask back, then the closing lines. The second half covers the first visit to the in-laws or the family home: the door, the tea, the food and the five sentences to say in the first ten minutes. Five culture notes, a full drill and the whole call played on both sides finish the class. Words and phrases in this class: നമസ്കാരം (namaskaaram) – hello (respectful) സുഖമാണ്. നിങ്ങൾക്കോ? (sukhamaanu. ningalkko?) – I am well. And you? കഴിച്ചോ? (kazhicho?) – have you eaten? എന്താ വിശേഷം? (enthaa vishesham?) – what's the news? ഒന്നുമില്ല. എല്ലാം പോലെ തന്നെ (onnumilla. ellaam pole thanne) – nothing much, everything as usual എപ്പോഴാ വരുന്നത്? (eppozhaa varunnathu?) – when are you coming? ഞാൻ ഉടനെ വരും (njaan udane varum) – I'll come soon മുത്തശ്ശിക്ക് സുഖമാണോ? (muthassikku sukhamaano?) – is Grandmother well? ശരി, ഞാൻ പിന്നെ വിളിക്കാം (shari, njaan pinne vilikkaam) – okay, I'll call again later മരുന്ന് കഴിക്കണം, കേട്ടോ (marunnu kazhikkanam, ketto) – take your medicine, you hear വീട് നന്നായിരിക്കുന്നു (veedu nannaayirikkunnu) – the house is lovely എനിക്ക് മലയാളം കുറച്ചു അറിയാം (enikku malayaalam kurachu ariyaam) – I know a little Malayalam മതി, നന്ദി (mathi, nandi) – enough, thank you In this class: • The fixed shape of a Kerala phone call, from the opening to the close • The questions they will ask, your answers, and what to ask back • The first visit: the door, the tea, the food and five key sentences • Five culture notes, a full drill and the whole call on both sides Quizzes below. Dr. Reshmi R Nair — SpeakMalayalam.