Say It In Maldivian Dhivehi

These idyllic islands are famed for their palm-fringed beaches, luxurious resorts, and relaxed pace of life. This fuilly updated guide caters to all types of visitors, from watersports enthusiasts and nature lovers to festival seekers and those wishing to explore the rich island history. Diving safaris, coral garden snorkeling, surfing, windsurfing, and deep-sea fishing are all covered for the energetic tourist, while exploring the atolls and resorts with the aid of this thorough guide is an attractive pastime for the traveler seeking tranquility. Features include: >How to choose the perfect resort for tastes and budgets >Getting around the islands, with cruise options >A wide variety of watersports >Accommodation options including beach cottages and overwater bungalows >Maldivian people and culture and useful words and phrases in Dhivehi

Dhivehi, the language of the Maldives, has received little attention in the linguistic literature, and no other comprehensive grammar of the standard language has yet been published. This work describes the phonology, unique orthography, morphology, and syntax of standard Dhivehi. Plentiful examples with native orthography, Roman transliteration, and morpheme-by-morpheme glossing illustrate the various features of the language. This grammar will be of use both to linguists and to students of Dhivehi.

The Maldives is an island nation full of wonder and tropical vistas. Lying in the middle of the Indian Ocean, it is a haven for environmental conservation, prime island tourism, and crystal clear waters. This book offers readers a comprehensive view of the Maldives, including its history, environment, lifestyle, food, and festivals. Through photographs, sidebars, and engaging text, readers will gain a comprehensive view of this popular modern paradise.

Dhivehi, the language of the Maldives, has received little attention in the linguistic literature, and no other comprehensive grammar of the standard language has yet been published. This work describes the phonology, unique orthography, morphology, and syntax of standard Dhivehi. Plentiful examples with native orthography, Roman transliteration, and morpheme-by-morpheme glossing illustrate the various features of the language. This grammar will be of use both to linguists and to students of Dhivehi.

Within the past decade the Maldives moved from poverty to middle-income status, introduced democracy, and was hailed as a Millennium Development Goal Plus country. Women face little discrimination in basic aspects of life such as primary education, health and survival †“ unlike in much of South Asia. This economic and social progress has yet to be fully inclusive, however, and gender inequality endures, despite constitutional guarantees to the contrary. This is at least partly due to a shift in the nature of Islamic practice in the Maldives towards more rigidly patriarchal interpretations. Women’s labor force participation is high, but limited to lower echelons of the economy. Women are slightly more likely than men to be unemployed. Despite gender-equal primary schooling, girls’ access to tertiary and professional education is hampered by beliefs about girls’ and women’s mobility, and primacy of household roles over others. Within the home, women face challenges that men do not, such as high risks of domestic violence and little control over household assets. Finally, women have limited presence in politics and governance. Men struggle with different gendered situations. Unemployment is high among young men, who also increasingly are alienated from society and family. This alienation, combined with a lack of strong alternative social structures to replace the breakdown of traditional family structures that has accompanied Maldives’ development trajectory, appear to be propelling young men towards greater social conservatism, participation in gangs, drug use and violence. Nonetheless, women are more disadvantaged in more realms of life than are men. Moreover, public support for gender equality and women’s rights appears to be declining. These developments are worrying for the future of gender equality in the Maldives, as well as for a more inclusive development model that would offer opportunities to both men and women.

Tales from the many trips to the Maldives of the author. Avoiding the tourist resorts, he visited remote villages, where tradition is combined with innovation and technology, meeting local people and trying to understand their culture. Always island hopping by boat, he went from postcard perfect uninhabited islands and through the streets of the bustling capital Malé, in its hidden corners often overlooked by tourism. In dozens of dives, he witnessed the richness of wildlife and the sparkling colors of these seas. But the islands are facing rapid changes and serious problems, and they are not always the paradise they seem. The Maldives are at a turning point, with political, economic and environmental changes that pose difficult challenges to the government and to the nation. The book is completed by an analytical index, a chronology of the Maldivian history and a bibliography.

Recently married musicians Judi and Zav Baines are assigned from Marbella to the Maldives. During the voyage from Gibraltar, they are joined by five strangers, seemingly with intertwined pasts long ago. Almost daily it gradually becomes clear that each of the five also knew Judi and Zav in their youth. But how? There are strange forces at work. Cosmic coincidences start to crowd in, defying interpretation. Events in their previous adventures start to make some kind of sense. The final battle starts with a series of lethal terrorist attacks on the Maldives Spa Hotel, their new home, uniting the group in a life-or-death fight for survival. An all-out assault forces reformed Macedonian brigand Kolper to call upon their last hope of salvation: the Call of the Shepherd, the Call of the Cosmos. But will the call be heard?