Portuguese Influence on Malayalam Language in Kerala
When Vasco da Gama first arrived in Kerala in 1498, on India’s southwest coast , he not only opened a new chapter of trade and colonization but also set the stage for cultural and linguistic exchanges that left a lasting imprint on the Malayalam language. Being the earliest Europeans to come and colonize in Kerala, the Portuguese had great influence on its language, architecture, and religion. However, it may be less noticed that how they impacted the local Malayalam language.
Historical Backdrop
The Portuguese presence in Kerala prevailed from the late 15th century till their power was faded by the Dutch in the mid-17th century. During this time period, a lot of interactions took place between Portuguese traders, missionaries, soldiers, and the local population of Kerala. With these interactions in daily life came the natural borrowing of vocabulary, especially for objects, ideas, and practices that had no equivalent words in Malayalam at the time.
Vocabulary Borrowings
Several Portuguese words found their way into spoken Malayalam language and many of these were related to household utensils, food items, religious practices, and new cultural imports:
- Catholic Religion and Church Life: Words such as mesha (from mesa, meaning table/altar) and kurisu (from cruz, meaning cross).
- Everyday Objects: Items like janala (from janela, meaning window) are everyday reminders of linguistic legacy.
Shifts in Culture
With the spread of Christianity in Kerala under Portuguese missionaries further strengthened many of these borrowings. The introduction of church institutions, schools, and printing presses also normalized Portuguese terms in malayalam words and everyday usage. While it is not as extensive as later English influence has, the Portuguese left a lasting cultural imprint.
Enduring Impressions
Even today many Malayalees use these Portuguese derived Malayalam words in their day to day life without even recognizing its foreign origin. This reflects how naturally languages take shape during encounters with external powers. Notably, the survival of these Portuguese terms/words even centuries shows how firmly they integrated into Kerala’s cultural identity.
Conclusion
The impact of the Portuguese presence in Kerala is visibly reflected in its historical monuments, churches, and some culinary customs, however its deepest form is interwoven into daily spoken malayalam. The Portuguese influence on Malayalam shows how the languages serve as living museums, retaining them within the traces of human journeys. By studying these linguistic blending, we can rediscover Kerala's centuries old multicultural story.