Comparative historical dialectology of standard Dhivehi and the Maliku dialect (Mahl language) : insights from corpus analysis

Abstract

Dialects represent variations of a language in vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, and usage, often shaped by regional proximity, social distinctions, and cultural or historical influences. This study explores the historical evolution of the standard Dhivehi language through the lens of historical dialectology by conducting a comparative analysis of standard Dhivehi and the Maliku dialect, known as the Mahl language in India and referred to as the Maliku dialect in the Maldives. The main aim is to identify lexical differences between the two and trace the historical linguistic shifts. This qualitative study employs corpus analysis using the Malikthaanaa textbook, published in the mid-20th century to teach Mahl in Minicoy schools. A corpus of 1,035 phrases from the first 15 pages was analysed for similarities and differences between the Mahl and standard Dhivehi language, as two distinct dialects. Findings reveal that 56% of the phrases from the Maliku dialect match the current standard Dhivehi. Among the differences, most involve minor morphological or phonological variations. Remarkably, 1 in 12 words from the corpus aligns with older standard Dhivehi usage, suggesting linguistic changes over time. Additionally, the Maliku dialect retains a richer vocabulary for kinship terms compared to contemporary standard Dhivehi. Although the study is limited by the small size of the corpus and reliance on a single source, it highlights the potential of dialectological research to deepen our understanding of Dhivehi’s linguistic heritage. The findings underscore the importance of further research to enhance and preserve the Dhivehi language.