The Sunday call to Kerala follows a script. Grandma asks the same few questions, the child looks at the parent, the parent translates, and the call is over in six minutes. These twenty-five sentences let the child answer for themselves, which is the whole point of the call.
Families use different words for grandparents: ammoomma or ammachi for grandmother, appooppan or appachan for grandfather. Use whatever your family says; the sentences work the same way.
The questions grandparents always ask, and the answers
| Malayalam | Romanised | English |
|---|---|---|
| 1. സുഖമാണോ? — സുഖമാണ് | sukhamaano? — sukhamaanu | Are you well? — I'm well |
| 2. ചോറ് കഴിച്ചോ? — കഴിച്ചു | choru kazhicho? — kazhichu | Have you eaten? — I ate |
| 3. ഇപ്പോ കഴിക്കും | ippo kazhikkum | I'll eat now |
| 4. സ്കൂളിൽ പോയോ? — പോയി | schoolil poyo? — poyi | Did you go to school? — I went |
| 5. ഇന്ന് അവധിയാ | innu avadhiyaa | Today is a holiday |
| 6. എന്താ ചെയ്യുന്നേ? — കളിക്കുവാ | enthaa cheyyunne? — kalikkuvaa | What are you doing? — Playing |
| 7. പഠിക്കുവാ | padikkuvaa | Studying |
Questions the child can ask back
This is the part that makes grandparents light up.
| Malayalam | Romanised | English |
|---|---|---|
| 8. അമ്മൂമ്മ സുഖമാണോ? | ammoomma sukhamaano? | Are you well, Grandma? |
| 9. മഴ ഉണ്ടോ? | mazha undo? | Is it raining? |
| 10. അപ്പൂപ്പൻ എവിടെ? | appooppan evide? | Where is Grandpa? |
| 11. എന്താ ഉണ്ടാക്കിയേ? | enthaa undaakkiye? | What did you cook? |
| 12. പൂച്ച എവിടെ? | poocha evide? | Where is the cat? |
Showing things on the screen
| Malayalam | Romanised | English |
|---|---|---|
| 13. ഇത് കണ്ടോ? | ithu kando? | Did you see this? |
| 14. ഇത് ഞാൻ വരച്ചതാ | ithu njaan varachathaa | I drew this |
| 15. ഇതാ | ithaa | Here it is |
| 16. കേൾക്കുന്നുണ്ടോ? | kelkkunnundo? | Can you hear me? |
| 17. കാണുന്നുണ്ടോ? | kaanunnundo? | Can you see me? |
Feelings and news
| Malayalam | Romanised | English |
|---|---|---|
| 18. എനിക്ക് സന്തോഷമായി | enikku santhoshamaayi | I'm happy |
| 19. എനിക്ക് ഒരു സമ്മാനം കിട്ടി | enikku oru sammaanam kitti | I got a present |
| 20. ഞങ്ങൾ നാട്ടിൽ വരുന്നുണ്ട് | njangal naattil varunnundu | We're coming to Kerala |
| 21. എനിക്ക് അമ്മൂമ്മയെ കാണണം | enikku ammoommaye kaananam | I want to see you, Grandma |
Ending the call
| Malayalam | Romanised | English |
|---|---|---|
| 22. ഉറങ്ങാൻ പോകുവാ | urangaan pokuvaa | I'm going to sleep |
| 23. പിന്നെ വിളിക്കാം | pinne vilikkaam | I'll call later |
| 24. ഉമ്മ | umma | A kiss: the one-word goodbye many children say |
| 25. ശരി, പിന്നെ കാണാം | shari, pinne kaanaam | OK, see you later |
How to use this list
Pick three sentences for this Sunday and put them on a sticky note next to the screen. The grandparent's job is to ask slowly and wait. The parent's job is to say nothing. Those few seconds of silence are where the Malayalam comes from.
For a shy child, start with the questions the child asks (8 to 12). Asking puts the child in control; answering can feel like a test.
Start today
Begin with the free 30-day course: one short lesson a day, with audio. When you want a plan built around your own family, book a one-to-one lesson (lessons are paid in advance; your booking link arrives once payment is received).
Frequently asked questions
Our grandparents speak a strong local dialect. Which Malayalam should the child learn?
Theirs. Every dialect is correct for its speakers. Listen to how the grandparents ask the usual questions and use their words.
The child freezes on video. What helps?
Let the child ask the questions first, keep each call short, and celebrate any Malayalam answer, even a single word.
How many sentences should a child learn at once?
Three a week is plenty. Use them on every call until they come out without thinking, then add three more.
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