Mala Malasar

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A language of India

ISO 639-3
ima
Alternate Names
Maha Malasar, Malai Malasar, Malasir
User Population

1,000 (2004).

Location

Kerala state: Palakkad district, Parambikulam wildlife sanctuary; Tamil Nadu state: Coimbatore district, Annamalai hills.

Language Maps
Language Status

6a (Vigorous).

Classification
Dravidian, Southern, Unclassified
Dialects

Lexical similarity: 68%–74% with Malasar [ymr], 70% with Eravallan [era], 70% with Muduga [udg], 65% with Tamil [tam], 61% with Malayalam [mal], 67%–72% with the Attapady dialect of Irula [iru], 75% with the Walayar dialect of Irula.

Language Use

Vigorous. Home, village, religion. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Also use English [eng]. Also use Malayalam [mal].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L2: 17% in Kerala, 15% in Tamil Nadu (2001 census).

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Mala Malasar
Writing

Unwritten [Qaax].

Other Comments

Mala Malasar means ‘king of the forest’. Culturally very distinct from neighboring tribal groups. Hindu, traditional religion.