In Madagascar, because of its history, French is well spoken all over the island. However that doesn't mean that everyone speaks French. This depends on if you are in an urban or rural setting and on the age of the person you are talking to.
Those who went to school before 1975 have no difficulty conversing in French. Before this time, 70-80% of the population spoke French fluently, it was the language of education from primary school, Malagasy children were taught "Our ancestors the Gaulles"; French history and geography, our dear "Mother Country" were more familiar and they had no idea what Tulear or Fort Dauphin were like if they lived in Antananarivo, and vice versa. Similarly, The distance between Paris & Marseille or Paris and Bordeaux were learnt by heart, the French Massif Central was more known that Isalo.
In 1975, Malagasy political orientation turned "red", shall we say, and Soviet block, North Korea became the fashionable countries of the day. Exit France, Long Live Communism! although Madagascar still belonged to the ONG international de la Francophonie and regularly participated in France-Africa summit meetings (The Mitterrand version, after Giscard was voted out in 1981).
Education was made into Malagasy. After the Baccaloreat, failure at university reached frighteningly high levels as French was still the language of education in these venerable institutions. The 1975/1993 generation, The sacrificial generation. When the "Red Admiral" was voted out, French was restored as language of education. However, due to poverty, the majority of Malagasy children could not afford to go to school. Currently, illiteracy is at 50%, in a country which has 9 million people below the age of 18 out of a total population of around 15 million people.
This lexicon of key words & expressions will help you get on with this welcoming and warm people.
Yes Eny No Tsia
Where ? Aiza ? Here it is Inty, io There it is Ato, eto
Hello (Mr, Mrs) Manao ahoana Tompoko, Salama Tompoko
Welcome Tonga soa
Good bye Veloma Have a nice trip Soava dia
Thank you Misaotra
Sorry – Excuse me Azafady
How are you doing? Manao ahoana ianao ?
I'm well Salama tsara In good health Salama
Ill Marary
What's new? Inona ny vaovao ?
People Ny olona
Man Lehilahy Woman vehivavy
Child Zaza, ankizy Boy zazalahy Girl zazavavy
Daddy Dada Mamy Neny
Brother Rahalahy (if you are a boy), Anadahy (if you are a girl)
Sister Rahavavy (if you are a girl), Anabavy (if you are a boy)
what is this? Inona ity ?
I don't understand Tsy azoko, tsy mazava amiko
There is Misy
There is not Tsy misy
To buy Mividy
How much is it? Ohatrinona ity ? Ohatrinona io ?
Expensive Lafo Cheap Mora really cheap Tsy lafo or Tena Mora
Money Vola
(very) good, beautifull Tsara (be)
Fast Malaky, haingana Slow Moramora
Sleep Matory
To go Mandeha
To come Tonga
To eat Mihinana Lunch Sakafo
Bread Mofo Rice Vary
Meat Hena Beef, zebu Omby
Chiken Akoho Fish Trondro, hazandrano
Banana Akondro Water Rano
The market Tsena House Trano City, village Tanàna
I, me Izaho You Ianao He, she Izy
They, them Izy ireo We, ourselves Isika
Hand Tànana Arm Sandry Foot Tongotra
Leg Ranjo Stomach Kibo Head Loha
Mouth Vava Noise Orona Eyes Maso
Ears Sofina Hair Volo
the Malagasy sentence structure is not the same as ours: VERB + COMPLEMENT + SUBJECT
For example :
I eat rice = Mihinana vary izaho which is: eat rice I
I eat bread = Mihinana mofo izaho which is: eat bread I
There is no words for "To be" in malagasy.
For example : The tea is cold = Mangatsiaka ny dite (cold the tea)
The rice is cooked = Masaka ny vary (cooked the rice)
The alphabet is 21 letters, all excepted for c,q, u, w & x.
The "e" is pronounced e as in PET
The "o" is pronounced "oo" as in FOOD
The "g" is pronouced G as in GLAD
