Dictionaries Document Endangered Tribal Languages Mavila and Malaveduvan in North Kerala
Two endangered tribal languages spoken by the Mavila and Malaveduvan communities in north Kerala are being documented in separate dictionaries to preserve their linguistic heritage. Jointly created by researcher Dr. Mohanan V.T.V. and tribal writer O.K. Prabhakaran Vattamathatta, the initiative captures vocabulary, oral traditions, and cultural identity across the Kannur and Kasaragod districts.
What Happened
Dr. Mohanan V.T.V., a writer and faculty member at Sir Syed College, along with tribal writer O.K. Prabhakaran Vattamathatta, initiated a project to record the endangered native tongues of the Mavila and Malaveduvan communities. Combined, these two groups have a population of approximately 60,000 residing across north Kerala’s Kasaragod and Kannur districts.
The Mavila dictionary has already been completed, with publication scheduled for the first week of August. Meanwhile, work on the Malaveduvan dictionary remains underway. Together, the two volumes contain more than 5,000 words gathered through extensive fieldwork in tribal settlements. According to Dr. Mohanan, the initiative stems entirely from a personal commitment to safeguard vanishing languages before future generations lose them completely.
The documentation effort builds upon prior work by both researchers. Dr. Mohanan previously authored the Malayala Bhashabheda Nighandu (Malayalam dialect dictionary) published by the Kerala Bhasha Institute. Mr. Prabhakaran’s research from Iyyama Jovv documents the history of rights struggles faced by these tribal communities.
Key Highlights
- Over 5,000 Words Compiled: Extensive fieldwork across tribal settlements has recorded more than 5,000 words for the two dictionaries.
- Mavila Dictionary Ready: The Mavila volume is complete and scheduled for release in early August, while compilation of the Malaveduvan dictionary continues.
- Linguistic Influences: Both Mavila (also called Markoli Tulu in some areas) and Malaveduvan show primary influences from Tulu and Kannada, with Malayalam terms incorporated later through migration and formal education.
- Unique Cultural Terms: The languages do not contain separate single words corresponding to the Malayalam terms for happiness and sorrow. Distinctive Mavila kinship terms include Amme (father), Appe (mother), Mere (husband), Merithi (wife), Megthi (sister), and Megya (younger brother).
- Fluent Speaker Concentration: Fluent speakers are now predominantly located in tribal settlements around Neeleswaram and adjacent areas in Kasaragod district.
Why This Matters
Language loss in the region has been driven by rapid migration, formal schooling, and broader interaction with mainstream society. Dr. Mohanan noted that Mavila families who moved from Kasaragod to Kannur have experienced significant language attrition. During fieldwork in Naduvil, Kannur, an 84-year-old resident mentioned that while his father spoke the language, he himself could no longer do so.
The documentation process faced initial hurdles due to community hesitation toward outsiders. Dr. Mohanan initially visited settlements alone but encountered suspicion despite repeated visits. To overcome this, he partnered with a trusted community insider, establishing a functional process over nearly three years. Additionally, language shift begins early as children adopt dominant languages like Malayalam and Kannada in schools, while adults working in offices or across the Kerala-Karnataka border gradually stop using their mother tongue. Dr. Mohanan also pointed out that institutions established for tribal welfare have failed to support preservation by not providing adequate employment opportunities to community members.
What to Watch Next
Following the publication of the Mavila dictionary in early August, the research team will continue compiling the Malaveduvan dictionary. Furthermore, the authors plan to release a separate research volume detailing the history, oral traditions, culture, and way of life of both the Mavila and Malaveduvan communities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the word Mavila mean?
The term Mavila translates to ‘the language of those who produce food.’ In some areas, it is also referred to as Markoli Tulu.
Who is documenting these tribal languages?
The dictionaries are being jointly prepared by Dr. Mohanan V.T.V., a writer and faculty member at Sir Syed College, and O.K. Prabhakaran Vattamathatta, a tribal writer.
Which districts in Kerala are covered by this project?
The fieldwork and documentation focus on tribal settlements in the Kannur and Kasaragod districts of north Kerala.
Source: Information reported by The Hindu.