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| Languages of Maldives | |
|---|---|
| Official | Dhivehi |
| National | Dhivehi |
| Main | Dhivehi (95%) |
| Foreign | Arabic, English |
There are a number of languages spoken in Maldives.
Dhivehi
The official and common language is Dhivehi. The first known script used to write Dhivehi is Eveyla akuru script which is found in historical recording of kings (raadhavalhi). Later a script called Dhives akuru was used for a long period. The present-day script is called Thaana and is written from right to left. Thaana is said to have been introduced by the reign of Mohamed Thakurufaanu. Dhivehi, an Indo-Aryan language having some similarities with Elu, the ancient Sinhalese language, and is written in a specialized Arabic script (Tāna). The Dhivehi language is spoken by virtually the whole population.
Foreign languages
Many Maldives speak a foreign language.
Arabic
Arabic (عربي) is the religious language of Muslims as well as the language of the Quran and Sunnah. Arabic is taught as a religious language in mosques and schools. Most of the population has knowledge of some form of formal or informal education in the reading, writing and pronunciation of the Arabic language as part of their religious education.
English
English is widely spoken by the locals of Maldives.