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How to Pronounce the Maldives Correctly: A Quick Guide to Maldivian English Pronunciation

The Maldives is a beautiful island nation located in the Indian Ocean. It is famous for its stunning beaches, crystal-clear waters, and vibrant coral reefs. If you’re planning to visit this paradise on earth, it’s essential to learn how to pronounce the Maldives correctly.

The Maldives is pronounced as “mahl-deevz” or “mahl-deev.” The emphasis is on the first syllable, “mahl.” The correct pronunciation is slightly different from the American English pronunciation of “mahl-dyvz” or “mahl-dyv.”

The language spoken in the Maldives is Dhivehi. It has some unique sounds that may be difficult to pronounce for those who are not familiar with the language. In this guide, we will teach you some of the basic sounds and pronunciation rules in Maldivian English.

Consonants in Maldivian English

The following is a list of consonants in Maldivian English and how they are pronounced:

b – pronounced as in “bat”

c – pronounced as in “chicken”

d – pronounced as in “dog”

f – pronounced as in “fan”

g – pronounced as in “goat”

h – pronounced as in “hat”

j – pronounced as in “jam”

k – pronounced as in “kite”

l – pronounced as in “lip”

m – pronounced as in “mat”

n – pronounced as in “nut”

p – pronounced as in “pat”

q – pronounced as in “cute”

r – rolled like in Spanish “rr” or “r” in “red”

s – pronounced as in “sun”

t – pronounced as in “top”

v – pronounced as in “van”

w – pronounced as in “water”

x – pronounced as in “excuse”

y – pronounced as in “year”

z – pronounced as in “zoo”

Vowels in Maldivian English

The vowels in Maldivian English are:

a – pronounced as in “apple”

e – pronounced as in “egg”

i – pronounced as in “itch”

o – pronounced as in “orange”

u – pronounced as in “up”

The letter “h” is used as a glottal stop in Maldivian English. It represents the sound made when you stop the flow of air in your throat. Words that have a glottal stop include “allah,” “bahaaru,” and “faharai.”

Pronunciation Rules in Maldivian English

The following are some of the pronunciation rules in Maldivian English:

The letter “v” is pronounced like a “w” sound in English. For example, “vaihira” is pronounced as “waihira.”

The letter “h” is silent when it appears after a consonant at the end of a word. For example, “mathi” is pronounced as “mati.”

The letter “y” is pronounced like a “j” sound in English. For example, “faiy” is pronounced as “faij.”

The letter “q” is pronounced like a “k” sound in English. For example, “qudh” is pronounced as “kudh.”

The letter “r” is heavily rolled like in Spanish “rr” or “r” in “red.”

The letter “ng” is pronounced as a nasal sound. For example, “fishing” is pronounced as “fish-ing-ng.”

With these basic sounds and rules in mind, you’re now equipped to pronounce the Maldives correctly. As you interact with the locals during your stay in the Maldives, don’t be afraid to practice your pronunciation. They will surely appreciate your effort in learning their language.

Remember, correct pronunciation is not only a matter of respect for the people and their language, but it also helps you to communicate more effectively. Enjoy your stay in the Maldives, and don’t forget to practice your Maldivian English pronunciation!