The word Dhivehi, which refers to the language spoken in the Maldives, is spelled using the International Phonetic Alphabet as /d̪iːvɛhi/. The first consonant, written with a dental diacritic, represents the "th" sound in English. The "i" and "e" are pronounced separately, creating a long "ee" sound. The "v" sound is also dental, meaning the bottom teeth touch the upper lip. Finally, the "h" at the end is pronounced softly, similar to a breathy exhalation.
Dhivehi refers to the official language of the Maldives, an archipelago nation located in the Indian Ocean. It belongs to the Indo-Aryan family of languages and is spoken primarily by the Maldivian people. With around 330,000 native speakers, Dhivehi is also spoken by the Maldivian diaspora residing in other countries such as Sri Lanka, India, and the United Kingdom.
The Dhivehi language is written in a script called Thaana, which dates back to the 16th century. Thaana is a unique script that consists of 24 letters written from right to left. Before the introduction of the Thaana script, Dhivehi was commonly written using an adaptation of the Arabic script.
In terms of vocabulary and grammar, Dhivehi has been influenced by several languages throughout its history. There are elements of Arabic, Persian, Hindi, and even English present in the language. However, despite these influences, Dhivehi remains distinct and holds its own identity.
Dhivehi has a rich literary tradition, with significant works of poetry, prose, and historical texts. Additionally, it has been adapted into a written language for journalism, administration, and education in the Maldives. The language plays a crucial role in preserving Maldivian culture, as it is the vessel for transmitting traditional stories, folktales, and songs.
Overall, Dhivehi is an important language in the Maldives, serving as a means of communication and a means to preserve cultural heritage.
The word "dhivehi" is derived from the Maldivian language, also known as Dhivehi. The Maldivian people refer to their language as "Dhivehi" as well. The exact etymology of the word is unclear, but it is believed to have originated from Sanskrit, an ancient Indo-Aryan language. The term "Dhivehi" may have derived from the Sanskrit word "divā", meaning "island", which is fitting as the Maldives is a nation of islands in the Indian Ocean. Over time, the word "Dhivehi" has become commonly used to refer to the Maldivian language and people.