Chennai - An Expat and NRI Survival Guide

The cultural aspects

A mini tutorial in Tamil:

Tamil is the language spoken by the people of Tamilnadu. It’s the oldest Dravidian language and particularly rich in sound and structure, several holy texts, epic plays and musical compositions have been written in Tamil. Like any other language though, Tamil is spoken with different accents throughout the state. But in Chennai you are more likely to hear the colloquial city version of the language. A ready reckoner of phrases:

• Greeting – Vanakkam
• Welcome – Warugai
• Thank you – Nandri
• I speak little Tamil – Enneke Konjum Tamil Puriyum
• I don’t understand Tamil – Enneke Tamil Puriyadhu
• I need to go to X – Enneke X edethiku poganum
• How much does this cost? – Idhiku eenai velai?
• Please help me – Odhavungal
• Happy New Year – Puthandu Vazhthikkal
• Happy Pongal – Pongal Vazhthikkal
• Happy Deepavali – Deepavali Vaythikkal
• Can I make a phone call? - Oru phone call panna mudiyuma?
  
  

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