Language/Malayalam/Grammar/Direct-and-Indirect-Speech

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Malayalam → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Direct and Indirect Speech

In learning any language, mastering the nuances of speech is crucial. For those venturing into Malayalam, understanding direct and indirect speech opens doors to more expressive communication. This lesson aims to demystify these concepts, allowing you to convey spoken words in a variety of contexts.

Direct speech refers to quoting the exact words spoken by someone, while indirect speech is a way of reporting what was said without quoting them verbatim. Each has its place, and knowing when to use one over the other enriches your conversational skills.

In this lesson, we will:

• Explain the concepts of direct and indirect speech in Malayalam.

• Provide examples to clarify their usage.

• Offer exercises to practice transforming between the two forms.

Let's dive into this exciting aspect of Malayalam grammar!

Understanding Direct Speech

Direct speech is where you present someone's exact words, typically enclosed in quotation marks. In Malayalam, this is often straightforward and resembles the English structure.

Structure of Direct Speech

• Format: “(spoken words)”

• Example in Malayalam: “നിങ്ങൾ എങ്ങനെയുണ്ട്?” (How are you?)

Examples of Direct Speech

Let's explore some examples that illustrate direct speech in Malayalam:

Malayalam	Pronunciation	English
“അവൻ വരുന്നു”	“avan varunnu”	“He is coming”
“ഞാൻ നിനക്കായി ഒരു കിറ്റ് കൊണ്ടുവന്നിട്ടുണ്ട്”	“ñān ninakkāyi oru kiṭ koṇṭuvannaṭṭu”	“I have brought a kit for you”
“അവൾ ചിരിക്കുന്നു”	“avaḷ cirikkunnu”	“She is laughing”
“ഞങ്ങൾ ഇന്ന് പോകുന്നു”	“ñañṅal innu pōkunnu”	“We are going today”

Understanding Indirect Speech

Indirect speech, on the other hand, paraphrases what was said. It does not typically use quotation marks and often requires changes in pronouns and verb tenses.

Structure of Indirect Speech

• Format: Subject + reporting verb + that + (reported speech)

• Example in Malayalam: അവൻ പറഞ്ഞു, “ഞാൻ ക്ലാസ്സിൽ എത്തി” (He said that he arrived in class.)

Examples of Indirect Speech

Now, let’s look at examples that demonstrate indirect speech in Malayalam:

Malayalam	Pronunciation	English
അവൻ പറഞ്ഞു, “അവൻ വരുന്നു”	avan paṟaññu, “avan varunnu”	He said that he is coming
അവൻ പറഞ്ഞു, “ഞാൻ നിനക്കായി ഒരു കിറ്റ് കൊണ്ടുവന്നിട്ടുണ്ട്”	avan paṟaññu, “ñān ninakkāyi oru kiṭ koṇṭuvannaṭṭu”	He said that he has brought a kit for you
അവൾ പറഞ്ഞു, “അവൾ ചിരിക്കുന്നു”	avaḷ paṟaññu, “avaḷ cirikkunnu”	She said that she is laughing
അവർ പറഞ്ഞു, “ഞങ്ങൾ ഇന്ന് പോകുന്നു”	avar paṟaññu, “ñañṅal innu pōkunnu”	They said that they are going today

Transforming Direct to Indirect Speech

When converting direct speech to indirect speech in Malayalam, there are a few rules to follow:

1. Change the tense as needed (present to past, etc.).

2. Adjust pronouns accordingly.

3. Remove quotation marks.

Example Transformations

Here are some transformations to help you understand the process:

Direct Speech	Indirect Speech
“ഞാൻ പോകുന്നു”	അവൻ പറഞ്ഞു, “ഞാൻ പോകുന്നു” → അവൻ പറഞ്ഞു that ഞാൻ പോകുന്നു (He said that he is going)
“അവൾ പാടുന്നു”	അവൾ പറഞ്ഞു, “അവൾ പാടുന്നു” → അവൾ പറഞ്ഞു that അവൾ പാടുന്നു (She said that she is singing)
“ഞങ്ങൾ ഭക്ഷണം കഴിക്കുന്നു”	അവർ പറഞ്ഞു, “ഞങ്ങൾ ഭക്ഷണം കഴിക്കുന്നു” → അവർ പറഞ്ഞു that ഞങ്ങൾ ഭക്ഷണം കഴിക്കുന്നു (They said that they are eating food)
“നിങ്ങൾ എങ്ങനെയുണ്ട്?”	അവൻ ചോദിച്ചു, “നിങ്ങൾ എങ്ങനെയുണ്ട്?” → അവൻ ചോദിച്ചു how you are (He asked how you are)

Transforming Indirect to Direct Speech

For this transformation, follow these steps:

1. Change the tense back to the original form.

2. Restore the original pronouns.

3. Add quotation marks.

Example Transformations

Here are some examples to illustrate the reverse transformation:

Indirect Speech	Direct Speech
അവൻ പറഞ്ഞു that അവൻ വരുന്നു	“അവൻ വരുന്നു” (He said, “I am coming”)
അവൾ പറഞ്ഞു that അവൾ പാടുന്നു	“അവൾ പാടുന്നു” (She said, “I am singing”)
അവർ പറഞ്ഞു that അവർ ഭക്ഷണം കഴിക്കുന്നു	“ഞങ്ങൾ ഭക്ഷണം കഴിക്കുന്നു” (They said, “We are eating food”)
അവൻ ചോദിച്ചു how you are	“നിങ്ങൾ എങ്ങനെയുണ്ട്?” (He asked, “How are you?”)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

While practicing, it's essential to avoid common pitfalls, such as:

• Tense Confusion: Ensure that tenses align correctly during transformations.

• Pronoun Errors: Double-check that pronouns match the subject correctly.

• Omitting Parts: Don't forget to include essential parts, like the reporting verb.

Practice Exercises

Now it's time for you to practice what you’ve learned. Here are ten exercises designed to reinforce your understanding. Transform the sentences as directed.

Exercises

1. Change the following direct speech to indirect speech:

• “ഞാൻ നന്നായി ഉണ്ട്” (I am fine)

• Solution: അവൻ പറഞ്ഞു that അവൻ നന്നായി ഉണ്ട്.

2. Convert this indirect speech to direct speech:

• അവൾ പറഞ്ഞു that അവൾ പഠിക്കുന്നു (She said that she is studying)

• Solution: “അവൾ പഠിക്കുന്നു” (She said, “I am studying”).

3. Transform the following direct speech into indirect speech:

• “ഞങ്ങൾ തയ്യാറാണ്” (We are ready)

• Solution: അവർ പറഞ്ഞു that അവർ തയ്യാറാണ്.

4. Change this indirect speech to direct speech:

• അവൻ പറഞ്ഞു that അവൻ ആസ്വദിച്ചില്ല (He said that he did not enjoy)

• Solution: “അവൻ ആസ്വദിച്ചില്ല” (He said, “I did not enjoy”).

5. Convert this direct speech to indirect speech:

• “നിങ്ങൾക്ക് എങ്ങനെ?” (How are you?)

• Solution: അവൻ ചോദിച്ചു that നിങ്ങള്‍ക്ക് എങ്ങനെ.

6. Transform this indirect speech to direct speech:

• അവർ പറഞ്ഞു that അവർ പോകുന്നുണ്ട് (They said that they are going)

• Solution: “ഞങ്ങൾ പോകുന്നു” (They said, “We are going”).

7. Change the direct speech into indirect:

• “അവൻ സഞ്ചരിക്കുന്നു” (He is traveling)

• Solution: അവൻ പറഞ്ഞു that അവൻ സഞ്ചരിക്കുന്നു.

8. Convert this indirect speech into direct speech:

• അവൾ ചോദിച്ചു that അവൾ എങ്ങനെയുണ്ട് (She asked how she is)

• Solution: “ഞാൻ എങ്ങനെയുണ്ട്?” (She asked, “How am I?”).

9. Transform this direct speech to indirect:

• “ഞാൻ ഒരു പുസ്തകം വായിക്കുന്നു” (I am reading a book)

• Solution: അവൻ പറഞ്ഞു that അദ്ദേഹം ഒരു പുസ്തകം വായിക്കുന്നു.

10. Change this indirect speech to direct speech:

• അവർ പറഞ്ഞു that അവർ സന്തോഷത്തിലാണ് (They said that they are happy)

• Solution: “ഞങ്ങൾ സന്തോഷത്തിലാണ്” (They said, “We are happy”).

Conclusion

Understanding direct and indirect speech is a vital skill in mastering Malayalam. It allows for more nuanced communication and helps you engage in conversations more effectively. Remember, practice is key! Keep revisiting these transformations, and soon, you will find them second nature.

Happy learning, and may your journey through Malayalam be filled with joy and exploration!

Table of Contents - Malayalam Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Introduction to Malayalam Script

• Basic Letters
• Conjunct Consonants
• Vowel Markers
• Syllable Structure

  ---

Everyday Phrases

• Greetings and Introductions
• Asking for Directions
• Food and Drink
• Numbers and Time

  ---

Basic Sentence Structure

• Subject Pronouns
• Word Order
• Nouns and Adjectives
• Present Tense Verbs

  ---

Family and Relationships

• Family Members
• Describing People
• Datings
• Work and Professions

  ---

Kerala Culture and Traditions

• The Land of Kerala
• Festivals of Kerala
• Arts and Performances
• Cuisine and Food Traditions

  ---

Future and Past Tenses

• Future Tense Verbs
• Past Tense Verbs
• Compound Sentences
• Noun Cases

  ---

Travel and Accommodation

• Booking a Hotel
• Means of Transport
• Tourist Attractions
• Emergencies

  ---

Malayalam Cinema and Literature

• Golden Era of Malayalam Cinema
• Famous Malayalam Writers and Works
• Malayalam Music

  ---

Advanced Sentence Structures

• Passive Voice
• Conditional Sentences
• Direct and Indirect Speech
• Participles and Infinitives

  ---

Technology and Social Media

• Using Social Media
• Emoticons and Expressions
• Technology and Gadgets
• E-commerce and Banking

Sources

• REPORTED SPEECH (Direct and Indirect Speech in Malayalam ...
• Reported Speech (in Malayalam)

Other Lessons

• Participles and Infinitives
• Adjectives
• Present Tense Verbs
• Conditional Sentences
• Nouns and Adjectives
• Syllable Structure
• Basic Letters
• Plurals
• How to Use Have

◀️ Conditional Sentences — Previous Lesson

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