Dispatches From The Field

22 September, 2003 -- Shaun Dunn

Malagasy Lesson

Part of being in a different culture is the most obvious obstacle: how to communicate. The fossa team had some wonderful team members this year that learned the Malagasy language quite well! As I am here for another 3 months I thought it was about time I really sat down and studied hard to learn as much Malagasy as I could.

At first this proved a little more difficult than I thought since I was also trying to teach some English to our neighbors in Ambodimanga, most people here just wanted to hear English from me. But I persisted and soon enough I started picking up more and more words and phrases. So, I thought it might be fun to pass along some of the more common words and phrases I have learned in the past few months. Enjoy!

Salama = Hello!

Tsara = Good

Ratsy = Bad

Omaly = Yesterday.

Androany = Today

Rahampitso = Tomorrow

Aho = I

Ianao = You

Isika = We

Izaho Ihany = Myself

Ianao Ihany = Yourself

Misaotra = Thank you.

Azafady = Excuse me/Please/Sorry

Manao Ahoana? = How are you?

Tsara fa misaotra. = I’m well thank you.

Iza no anaranao? = What is your name?

Faly mahlala ianao. = Nice to meet you.

Mandra-pihaona. = See you later.

Tafandria mandry. = Good night (Sleep well).

Tonga Soa (abbreviation of "arahaba tonga soa") = Glad to see you arrived safely!

Soava Dia = Have a nice trip!