Language

The national language of the Maldives is Dhivehi, a pidgin language that combines the basic syntax of the Sri Lankan language Sinhala with words, phrases and grammar borrowed from every nationality that has used the island nation as an anchorage over the centuries. Arabic, Persian, Urdu, Dravidian, French, Portuguese and English influences can all be found in Dhivehi. Dhivehi is written right to left, and the spoken language has some interesting differences from the written language. Word sequence, for example, is critical in the written language but unimportant in the spoken idiom. Practically every Maldivian speaks English because it’s the language used in Maldivian schools. English is the Maldives’ unofficial second language. Many Dhivehi "loaner" words have English roots. For example, the word for “waiter,” a useful word in the Maldives’ tourism-driven economy, is “veitar,” while the word for “doctor” is “doctor.” A few Dhivehi words have also migrated into the English language. “Atoll”, the term we use for a ring of coral reefs, is an Anglicized version of the Dhivehi word “Atoḷu.” When traveling, it’s always a lot more fun to be able to speak with people in their own language. Here are some phrases that will come in handy on your trip to the Maldives.