Glossary

Sinhala

aetta-da? is it true?

boru-da? is it false?

dhura far away

naeh no

namgi sister

oba dhanagana lakema sathutak pleased to meet you

oba kohendha? where are you from?

sadarayen piligannawa you are welcome

sohoyura brother

Tamil

amma mother

appa father

appappa grandfather

ayya used to address elder men

ennai thodaathe! don’t touch me!

eppadi irukkinka? how are you?

Kadavui God save us

kalai vanakkam good morning

kalaiyil in the morning

kanavar husband

mannikkanum sorry

manniththu vidunggal excuse me

meen fish

nee ennai yemathikitu! you’re cheating me!

ora nimidam! one moment!

pachadi savoury Tamil dish of grated vegetable, tamarind, shallots, ginger and mustard seeds

pattu vetty traditional Tamil costume for men; long silk cloth worn like a sarong and tied at the waist

pottu a dot worn on the forehead and commonly known as a bindi in North India

sadhu holy man

thagavaseithu please

vadai savoury fritter with a crunchy shell, made from rice flour, lentils and chilies