Destinations Africa & Middle East The Official Languages of Madagascar By Jessica Macdonald Jessica Macdonald Facebook LinkedIn King's College London Jessica Macdonald lives in South Africa's Eastern Cape province and has been TripSavvy's Africa Expert since 2016. She also covers travel products and has written about everything from camping knives to climbing chalk. TripSavvy's editorial guidelines Published on 10/21/20 dr322 / Getty Images In This Article History Languages Spoken Malagasy Words and Phrases Going Deeper French Words and Phrases Madagascar has two official languages: Malagasy and French. Both were named official languages of the newly established Malagasy Republic in the first Constitution of 1958. In 2007, the Constitution named English as an official language as well; however, this decision was reversed during a referendum held in 2010. Malagasy is by far the most widely spoken language. Nevertheless, many people involved in the tourism industry speak some English, while visitors with a good understanding of French will be at an advantage in making themselves understood. History of the Official Languages Malagasy Several different dialects of Malagasy are spoken in Madagascar, though all of them are mutually intelligible. They can be divided geographically into two groups: the five Eastern dialects (spoken in the central plateau and much of northern Madagascar) and six Western dialects (predominantly spoken in the southern half of the island). Of all the Malagasy dialects, Merina is considered the standard and is generally understood throughout the country. Malagasy is part of the Malayo-Polynesian branch of the Austronesian family of languages, and is most similar to languages spoken in Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. This makes the island unique from the East African mainland, where Bantu (of African origin) languages dominate. The reason for this is that Madagascar was first settled by traders from maritime Southeast Asia who arrived in outrigger canoes between 350 B.C. and 550 A.D. The majority of these settlers were from the Sunda Islands (including areas of modern Indonesia, Borneo, Brunei, and East Timor). The Malagasy language evolved with exposure to other settlers and traders and was particularly influenced by the Bantu migrants who began to arrive from East Africa in the 9th century. As a result, some Malagasy words are of Bantu, Swahili, Arab, English, and French origin. French The status of French as an official language of Madagascar dates back to the country’s establishment as a French protectorate (in 1883) and then as a French colony (in 1896). Madagascar continued under French rule for over 60 years, only gaining full independence again in 1960. Where Are the Languages Spoken? Malagasy is the lingua franca in Madagascar, and is spoken as a first language by most Malagasy people. In public schools, it is used as the language of instruction for all subjects up to grade five; and then for history and Malagasy language lessons thereafter. Outside Madagascar, Malagasy is spoken by expatriate communities; mostly on neighboring Indian Ocean islands like Mauritius, Comoros, and Réunion. In Madagascar, French is used as the medium of instruction for higher grades and is spoken primarily by the educated population as a second language. It is frequently used in business. According to L’Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie, over 4 million Malagasy people speak French, with 5 percent considered fully Francophone and another 15.4 percent considered partially francophone. Globally, French is an official language in 29 countries, is the fifth most spoken language in the world, and has approximately 277 million speakers worldwide. Basic Words and Phrases (Malagasy) Greetings Hello Salama Good Night Tafandria mandry Goodbye Veloma Introductions My name is... Ny anarako dia... I'm from the U.S.A. Avy any U.S.A aho What's your name? Iza ny anaranao? Pleased to meet you Faly mahafantatra anao Pleasantries Please Azafady Thank you Misaotra You're welcome Tsisy fisaorana I'm sorry Miala tsiny Excuse me Azafady Welcome Tonga soa How are you? Manao ahoana? I’m fine, thank you Tsara fa misaotra Good luck Mirary soa e Congratulations Arahabaina Have a nice day Mirary anao tontolo andro mahafinaritra It's delicious Matsiro io Going Deeper Do you speak English? Mahay teny Anglisy ve ianao? Do you understand? Azonao ve? I don't understand Tsy azoko I do not speak Malagasy Tsy mahay teny Malagasy aho Please speak more slowly Mitenena moramora azafady Please say that again Dia ilazao indray azafady How do you say...? Ahoana ny fiteny hoe…? Numbers One Isa/iray Two Roa Three Telo Four Efatra Five Dimy Six Enina Seven Fito Eight Valo Nine Sivy Ten Folo Emergencies Stop Mijanona Watch out Mitandrema Help Vonjeo Fire Afo Go away Mandehana Call the police Antsoy ny polisy I need a doctor Mila dokotera aho Can you help me please? Afaka manampy ahy ve ianao azafady? Other Essentials Yes Eny No Tsia, or tsy (before a verb) Maybe Angamba I don't know Tsy fantatro How much? Ohatrinona? How do I get to...? Ahoana no hahatongavako any…? Where are the toilets? Aiza ny efitrano fivoahana? Basic Words and Phrases (French) Greetings Hello Bonjour Good evening Bonsoir Good night Bonne nuit Goodbye Au revoir Introductions My name is... Je m’appelle… I'm from the U.S.A. Je viens des U.S.A . What's your name? Comment vous appelez-vous? Pleased to meet you Enchanté Pleasantries Please S'il vous plaît Thank you Merci You're welcome Je vous en prie I'm sorry Je suis désolé Excuse me Excusez-moi Welcome Bienvenue How are you? Comment allez-vous? I'm well, thank you Je vais bien, merci Good luck Bonne chance Congratulations Félicitations Have a nice day Bonne journée This is delicious C'est délicieux Making Yourself Understood Do you speak English? Parlez vous Anglais? Do you understand? Comprenez vous? I don't understand Je ne comprends pas I speak a little French Je parle un peu Français Please speak more slowly Parlez plus lentement s'il vous plaît Please say that again Redites ça, s'il vous plaît How do you say...in French? Comment dit-on...en Français? Numbers One Une/un Two Deux Three Trois Four Quatre Five Cinq Six Six Seven Sept Eight Huit Nine Neuve/neuf Ten Dix Emergencies Stop Arrêtez Watch out Faites attention Help Aidez-moi Fire Feu Leave me alone Laissez moi tranquille Call the police Appelle la police I need a doctor J'ai besoin d'un docteur Other Essentials Yes Oui No Non Maybe Peut être I don't know Je ne sais pas How much? Combien? How do I get to...? Comment puis-je aller à…? 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