Language/Plateau-malagasy/Vocabulary/Animals
Hi Plateau Malagasy learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will be learning about animals in Plateau Malagasy. Language learners often find it beneficial to learn the names of animals and things that are found around them as it helps them to expand their vocabulary and their understanding of the language. By the end of this lesson, you will have basic knowledge about the most common animals found in Madagascar along with their pronunciations and translations into English.
Introduction[edit | edit source]
Madagascar is an island in the Indian Ocean, and is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna that are not found anywhere else on the planet. Madagascar is known for its diverse animal life, many of which are unique to the island. Plateau Malagasy is one of the official languages spoken in the country. It is an Austronesian language closely related to Malaysian, Javanese, and Tagalog but has been influenced by the Malayo-Polynesian and Bantu languages. So, let's start learning about these fascinating creatures!
Take some time to dive into these other pages after completing this lesson: Plateau Malagasy Vocabulary → Greetings and Introductions ..., Colors, Drinks & Travel Phrases and Directions.
Vocabulary[edit | edit source]
Mammals[edit | edit source]
Mammals are the dominant animal group in Madagascar, and they include a wide range of species, from small rodents to large carnivores. Here are a few examples:
| Plateau Malagasy | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Alaimo | a-la-i-mo | Lemur |
| Xa manitra | xa mani-tra | Tenrec |
| Soamadio | so-a-ma-di-o | Cat |
| Zaza | za-za | Baby |
Dialogue:
- Person 1: Asaiko no mby mapiasa? (Have you seen any lemurs?)
- Person 2: Tsia, ny alaimo dia maty (No, the lemurs are dead)
Birds[edit | edit source]
Madagascar's diverse forest habitats are rich in bird life. Many of the bird species found in Madagascar are endemic, meaning that they are not found anywhere else on earth. Below are a few examples cited:
| Plateau Malagasy | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Vorona | vo-ro-na | Bird |
| Akoho sy kely | a-kō-hō-sy-ke-ly | Chicken |
| Folo | fo-lo | Pigeon |
| Vitika | vi-ti-ka | Duck |
Dialogue:
- Person 1: Miaraka amin'ny vorona tsara loatra mantsy isika (We are with an amazing bird)
- Person 2: Eny, izay no vorontsika amin'izao fotoana izao (Yes, that's our bird currently)
Reptiles[edit | edit source]
The reptiles that populate Madagascar include snakes, lizards, chameleons, and geckos, among others. Some of these species are endemic, while others are not. Refer to the following table for examples:
| Plateau Malagasy | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Tompokolahy | tom-po-ko-la-hy | Crocodile |
| Mamba | mam-ba | Snake |
| Ampoka | am-po-ka | Turtle |
| Varika | va-ri-ka | Lizard |
Dialogue:
- Person 1: Mandehana eny an-tsefa manasa azy ireo, fa tsara ny tompon'olona! (Let's go to the pond and sight the crocodile, it's amazing!)
- Person 2: Tsia, misy mamba handry tenako (No thanks, there are snakes in my house)
Insects[edit | edit source]
Madagascar is home to a wide variety of insects, and it has been estimated that there may be as many as 200,000 insect species living on the island. Below are a few examples cited:
| Plateau Malagasy | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Alolon-tsofina | a-lo-lon-tso-ffi-na | Butterfly |
| Lolo | lo-lo | Cockroach |
| Amboa | am-bo-a | Spider |
| Onilahy | oni-la-hy | Ant |
Dialogue:
- Person 1: Izay alo-tsofina voady no tsara indrindra (That yellow butterfly is beautiful)
- Person 2: Indradra, fa tsy mby lohahevitra aho amin'ny cockroach, maro no voatanisa (Yes, it's beautiful, but I don't have good memories of cockroaches, there are too many of them)
Conclusion[edit | edit source]
By the end of this lesson, you should have familiarized yourself with some of the common animals that are found in Madagascar. To improve your Plateau Malagasy vocabulary, check out the native speakers and ask them any questions you may have. Don't forget to check out our other Plateau Malagasy vocabulary lessons to further improve your skills. Happy learning! 😊
➡ If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎
Upon wrapping up this lesson, take a look at these related pages: Geography, Say Hello and Greetings in Plateau Malagasy, Numbers and Counting & Health.