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MALAYALAM

Kerala's linguistic minorities

B.R.P.BHASKAR

KERALATHILE BHASHANYUNAPAKSHANGAL: Paul Manalil; Mathrubhumi Books, The Mathrubhumi Printing & Publishing Co. Ltd., K. P. Kesava Menon Road, Kozhikode-673001. Rs. 170.

KERALA'S LINGUISTIC minorities are, by and large, invisible but they have made a distinct contribution to the region's culture and have an assured place in its history. In the book under review, Paul Manalil documents the traditions of these communities.

The author traces the origin of the Anglo-Indian, Jewish, Konkani, Gujarati and Tamil communities, and examines their impact on the life of the Malayalees.

He discusses in particular their influence on their dress and food habits. One chapter is devoted to the French citizens of Mahe, who are really not a linguistic minority of Kerala.

The author has produced a work of social history, which can enhance the Keralites' understanding of cultural minorities living in their midst.

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