1. Malagasy as a living language group

Malagasy is spoken in Madagascar and by regional and diaspora communities. The ISO code mlg is a macrolanguage or inclusive designation, covering multiple separately coded Malagasy varieties. Calling the entire language group Plateau Malagasy would erase important regional identities.

Critical research direction: Trace the historical or linguistic claim to a specific reference listed in the bibliography. Identify the relevant variety and original writing practice. When a published form has a different spelling or analysis from another source, explain the disagreement and preserve the original text. The educational example should distinguish directly observed language data from a reconstruction, a gloss and a broad typological generalization.

2. Language family and historical settlement

Malagasy is an Austronesian language group with historical affiliations to languages of the southeastern Borneo Barito region. Its presence in East Africa reflects a major Indian Ocean settlement and contact history. Shared ancestry with Asian languages does not mean its current syntax or vocabulary can be imported from Indonesian.

Critical research direction: Trace the historical or linguistic claim to a specific reference listed in the bibliography. Identify the relevant variety and original writing practice. When a published form has a different spelling or analysis from another source, explain the disagreement and preserve the original text. The educational example should distinguish directly observed language data from a reconstruction, a gloss and a broad typological generalization.

3. Genealogical evidence

The Austronesian Basic Vocabulary Database has a Proto-Malagasy reconstruction by Sander Adelaar. The researcher distinguishes stages of Proto-Malagasy and identifies Bantu substrate and loanword influence in its later stage. Reconstructed forms must never be presented as direct recordings of modern speakers.

Critical research direction: Trace the historical or linguistic claim to a specific reference listed in the bibliography. Identify the relevant variety and original writing practice. When a published form has a different spelling or analysis from another source, explain the disagreement and preserve the original text. The educational example should distinguish directly observed language data from a reconstruction, a gloss and a broad typological generalization.

4. Varieties and the Plateau standard

Glottolog separately identifies Plateau Malagasy as ISO 639-3 plt and Glottocode plat1254. Several other regional varieties have their own catalogue entries, including Bara, Tandroy-Mafahaly, Sakalava and Betsimisaraka varieties. A central-plateau literary or school form should not be described as everyone's unmodified spoken Malagasy.

Critical research direction: Trace the historical or linguistic claim to a specific reference listed in the bibliography. Identify the relevant variety and original writing practice. When a published form has a different spelling or analysis from another source, explain the disagreement and preserve the original text. The educational example should distinguish directly observed language data from a reconstruction, a gloss and a broad typological generalization.

5. Writing traditions

Malagasy commonly uses Latin-script writing, while the historical Sorabe manuscript tradition is Arabic-derived. Modern spelling, historical Sorabe writing and scholarly phonetic transcription are distinct documentary systems. Comparisons require accurate dates and attention to textual provenance.

Critical research direction: Trace the historical or linguistic claim to a specific reference listed in the bibliography. Identify the relevant variety and original writing practice. When a published form has a different spelling or analysis from another source, explain the disagreement and preserve the original text. The educational example should distinguish directly observed language data from a reconstruction, a gloss and a broad typological generalization.

6. Sound system and pronunciation

The phonology of Malagasy differs across regional varieties; vowel qualities, stress and consonant sequences must be described from an identified variety. The same spelling may need region-specific pronunciation notes, and no one transcription can be assumed for all Malagasy varieties.

Critical research direction: Trace the historical or linguistic claim to a specific reference listed in the bibliography. Identify the relevant variety and original writing practice. When a published form has a different spelling or analysis from another source, explain the disagreement and preserve the original text. The educational example should distinguish directly observed language data from a reconstruction, a gloss and a broad typological generalization.

7. Word order and grammatical research

Many Malagasy varieties have verb–object–subject patterns often described as verb-initial. Clause structure also involves voice or focus phenomena and complex argument-marking debates. Precise descriptions should use a published grammatical analysis and avoid converting English SVO sentences by rearranging isolated words.

Critical research direction: Trace the historical or linguistic claim to a specific reference listed in the bibliography. Identify the relevant variety and original writing practice. When a published form has a different spelling or analysis from another source, explain the disagreement and preserve the original text. The educational example should distinguish directly observed language data from a reconstruction, a gloss and a broad typological generalization.

8. Basic phrase evidence

A publicly available Malagasy–English phrasebook lists Manahoana as a common greeting, Misaotra for thanks, Azafady for excuse me or please, and Veloma for goodbye. These are short practical forms from the source and are not an unmarked claim about every regional variety.

Critical research direction: Trace the historical or linguistic claim to a specific reference listed in the bibliography. Identify the relevant variety and original writing practice. When a published form has a different spelling or analysis from another source, explain the disagreement and preserve the original text. The educational example should distinguish directly observed language data from a reconstruction, a gloss and a broad typological generalization.

9. Text traditions, culture and language contact

The Malagasy oral and written record includes poetry, proverbs, historical chronicles, modern fiction and musical performance. Cultural history is locally varied. Lexical borrowings and historical linguistic contacts with Bantu, Arabic and other traditions should be cited rather than assumed from superficial word resemblance.

Critical research direction: Trace the historical or linguistic claim to a specific reference listed in the bibliography. Identify the relevant variety and original writing practice. When a published form has a different spelling or analysis from another source, explain the disagreement and preserve the original text. The educational example should distinguish directly observed language data from a reconstruction, a gloss and a broad typological generalization.

10. Research integrity

This page treats Malagasy as a broader language group and the source phrases as standard-form introductory examples. A genuine advanced course must specify whether the spoken target is Plateau Malagasy or another regional variety. The ninety-unit outline is a comparative academic pathway, not a claim of ninety completed fluent lesson scripts.

Critical research direction: Trace the historical or linguistic claim to a specific reference listed in the bibliography. Identify the relevant variety and original writing practice. When a published form has a different spelling or analysis from another source, explain the disagreement and preserve the original text. The educational example should distinguish directly observed language data from a reconstruction, a gloss and a broad typological generalization.

11. Selected attested language expressions and grammatical evidence

The following short expressions or isolated forms are shown as recorded in the explicitly indicated source. The English meanings are contextual guides; no new sentence may be fabricated by automatically recombining these fragments. These data need local-speaker validation before assessed pronunciation tasks.

Source: https://www.wildmadagascar.org/people/malagasy-english.html.

12. The 90-unit encyclopedic research curriculum

Each module includes nine individually numbered research activities: source identification, a specific language problem, a critical evidence exercise and a documented output. These constitute detailed research-oriented lesson outlines; they are not a claim of ninety complete fluent-language chapters or produced multimedia lessons.

Module 1. Community, language identity and catalogues — lessons 1–9

Language-specific emphasis: Malagasy speech communities and language varieties. Read the appropriate published linguistic grammar, dictionary or historical documentary reference. Record speaker community, location, genre, relevant date and original orthography.

Lesson 1: Identify the geographic range of the selected language. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on Malagasy speech communities and language varieties. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 2: Differentiate names, regions and communities. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on Malagasy speech communities and language varieties. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 3: Record the relevant ISO identifier. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on Malagasy speech communities and language varieties. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 4: Check Glottolog and competing classification schemes. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on Malagasy speech communities and language varieties. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 5: Identify historical and modern speaker communities. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on Malagasy speech communities and language varieties. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 6: Find a reliable historical linguistic publication. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on Malagasy speech communities and language varieties. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 7: Distinguish source date from modern speaker count. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on Malagasy speech communities and language varieties. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 8: Compare urban and regional varieties. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on Malagasy speech communities and language varieties. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 9: Prepare an evidenced language identity report. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on Malagasy speech communities and language varieties. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Module 2. Written history and source interpretation — lessons 10–18

Language-specific emphasis: Austronesian ancestry and Indian Ocean settlement. Read the appropriate published linguistic grammar, dictionary or historical documentary reference. Record speaker community, location, genre, relevant date and original orthography.

Lesson 10: Locate the earliest accessible writing descriptions. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on Austronesian ancestry and Indian Ocean settlement. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 11: Separate modern orthography and historic scripts. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on Austronesian ancestry and Indian Ocean settlement. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 12: Describe spelling practices in a specific publication. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on Austronesian ancestry and Indian Ocean settlement. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 13: Preserve tone or special symbol markings. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on Austronesian ancestry and Indian Ocean settlement. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 14: Check original script and romanization alignment. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on Austronesian ancestry and Indian Ocean settlement. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 15: Compare school texts with scholarly transcription. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on Austronesian ancestry and Indian Ocean settlement. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 16: Review a dated historical manuscript or publication. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on Austronesian ancestry and Indian Ocean settlement. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 17: Document the physical or digital text's provenance. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on Austronesian ancestry and Indian Ocean settlement. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 18: Create a source-faithful orthographic style guide. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on Austronesian ancestry and Indian Ocean settlement. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Module 3. Pronunciation and sound pattern analysis — lessons 19–27

Language-specific emphasis: Plateau Malagasy, Bara, Sakalava and regional identities. Read the appropriate published linguistic grammar, dictionary or historical documentary reference. Record speaker community, location, genre, relevant date and original orthography.

Lesson 19: Compile an attested consonant inventory. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on Plateau Malagasy, Bara, Sakalava and regional identities. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 20: Compile an attested vowel inventory. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on Plateau Malagasy, Bara, Sakalava and regional identities. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 21: Study contrasting sounds through minimal pairs. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on Plateau Malagasy, Bara, Sakalava and regional identities. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 22: Investigate vowel length or tone where supported. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on Plateau Malagasy, Bara, Sakalava and regional identities. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 23: Evaluate consonant clusters and syllable structure. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on Plateau Malagasy, Bara, Sakalava and regional identities. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 24: Compare speech recording and printed notation. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on Plateau Malagasy, Bara, Sakalava and regional identities. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 25: Distinguish lexical tone from sentence intonation. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on Plateau Malagasy, Bara, Sakalava and regional identities. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 26: Document phonetic differences between varieties. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on Plateau Malagasy, Bara, Sakalava and regional identities. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 27: Build a cited pronunciation evidence chart. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on Plateau Malagasy, Bara, Sakalava and regional identities. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Module 4. Words and meaning — lessons 28–36

Language-specific emphasis: Latin orthography and historical Sorabe writing. Read the appropriate published linguistic grammar, dictionary or historical documentary reference. Record speaker community, location, genre, relevant date and original orthography.

Lesson 28: Compile a family and social lexicon. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on Latin orthography and historical Sorabe writing. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 29: Document numbers and quantitative expressions. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on Latin orthography and historical Sorabe writing. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 30: Study authentic greetings and their contexts. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on Latin orthography and historical Sorabe writing. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 31: Collect landscape and environmental vocabulary. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on Latin orthography and historical Sorabe writing. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 32: Investigate time and calendar expressions. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on Latin orthography and historical Sorabe writing. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 33: Compare polysemy across dictionaries. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on Latin orthography and historical Sorabe writing. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 34: Identify a documented loanword. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on Latin orthography and historical Sorabe writing. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 35: Build an evidence-based phrase collection. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on Latin orthography and historical Sorabe writing. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 36: Create a short dictionary critical commentary. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on Latin orthography and historical Sorabe writing. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Module 5. Nouns, agreement and participants — lessons 37–45

Language-specific emphasis: recorded sound patterns in a specified variety. Read the appropriate published linguistic grammar, dictionary or historical documentary reference. Record speaker community, location, genre, relevant date and original orthography.

Lesson 37: Identify nouns and their grammatical markers. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on recorded sound patterns in a specified variety. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 38: Study plurality and singular constructions. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on recorded sound patterns in a specified variety. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 39: Analyze noun classes where applicable. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on recorded sound patterns in a specified variety. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 40: Examine agreement evidence from a grammar. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on recorded sound patterns in a specified variety. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 41: Document pronouns and person reference. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on recorded sound patterns in a specified variety. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 42: Study kinship possession and possessives. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on recorded sound patterns in a specified variety. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 43: Examine demonstratives and spatial deixis. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on recorded sound patterns in a specified variety. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 44: Analyze nominal modifiers in context. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on recorded sound patterns in a specified variety. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 45: Annotate a sourced noun phrase. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on recorded sound patterns in a specified variety. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Module 6. Verbs, clauses and questions — lessons 46–54

Language-specific emphasis: verb-initial grammar and voice-related research. Read the appropriate published linguistic grammar, dictionary or historical documentary reference. Record speaker community, location, genre, relevant date and original orthography.

Lesson 46: Document finite and nonfinite verb forms. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on verb-initial grammar and voice-related research. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 47: Compare person and agreement morphology. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on verb-initial grammar and voice-related research. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 48: Investigate aspect and temporal reference. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on verb-initial grammar and voice-related research. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 49: Analyze negation patterns in full clauses. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on verb-initial grammar and voice-related research. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 50: Study documented interrogatives. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on verb-initial grammar and voice-related research. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 51: Examine reported commands and requests. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on verb-initial grammar and voice-related research. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 52: Evaluate object position and voice constructions. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on verb-initial grammar and voice-related research. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 53: Compare topic, focus and information structure. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on verb-initial grammar and voice-related research. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 54: Prepare an interlinear clause analysis. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on verb-initial grammar and voice-related research. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Module 7. Conversation and situated usage — lessons 55–63

Language-specific emphasis: standard-form Malagasy social expression. Read the appropriate published linguistic grammar, dictionary or historical documentary reference. Record speaker community, location, genre, relevant date and original orthography.

Lesson 55: Analyze social setting of a greeting. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on standard-form Malagasy social expression. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 56: Evaluate a greeting reply with a speaker source. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on standard-form Malagasy social expression. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 57: Distinguish singular from plural address. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on standard-form Malagasy social expression. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 58: Study thanking and apology conventions. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on standard-form Malagasy social expression. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 59: Analyze formal and familiar registers. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on standard-form Malagasy social expression. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 60: Explore questions in an authentic conversation. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on standard-form Malagasy social expression. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 61: Document turn-taking and acknowledgments. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on standard-form Malagasy social expression. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 62: Evaluate word choice by context and region. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on standard-form Malagasy social expression. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 63: Annotate a verified short conversation. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on standard-form Malagasy social expression. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Module 8. Community histories, media and narrative — lessons 64–72

Language-specific emphasis: Malagasy oral literature and historical records. Read the appropriate published linguistic grammar, dictionary or historical documentary reference. Record speaker community, location, genre, relevant date and original orthography.

Lesson 64: Review the language's oral literary genres. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on Malagasy oral literature and historical records. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 65: Locate a short archival text. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on Malagasy oral literature and historical records. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 66: Investigate contemporary popular literature. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on Malagasy oral literature and historical records. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 67: Study documentary accounts of literacy. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on Malagasy oral literature and historical records. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 68: Describe speakers' chosen cultural terminology. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on Malagasy oral literature and historical records. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 69: Identify multilingual speech in public media. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on Malagasy oral literature and historical records. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 70: Compare an original-language narrative and translation. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on Malagasy oral literature and historical records. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 71: Check permissions, privacy and oral-history ethics. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on Malagasy oral literature and historical records. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 72: Write a historical text interpretation. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on Malagasy oral literature and historical records. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Module 9. Historical comparison and dialect research — lessons 73–81

Language-specific emphasis: Proto-Malagasy reconstruction and contact evidence. Read the appropriate published linguistic grammar, dictionary or historical documentary reference. Record speaker community, location, genre, relevant date and original orthography.

Lesson 73: Research a closely related language. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on Proto-Malagasy reconstruction and contact evidence. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 74: Compare reliable cognate candidates. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on Proto-Malagasy reconstruction and contact evidence. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 75: Separate borrowing from common ancestry. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on Proto-Malagasy reconstruction and contact evidence. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 76: Study regular sound correspondences. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on Proto-Malagasy reconstruction and contact evidence. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 77: Compare orthographic and dialect variants. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on Proto-Malagasy reconstruction and contact evidence. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 78: Evaluate an uncertain genealogical claim. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on Proto-Malagasy reconstruction and contact evidence. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 79: Construct a source-attributed mini corpus. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on Proto-Malagasy reconstruction and contact evidence. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 80: Explain conflicting grammatical analyses. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on Proto-Malagasy reconstruction and contact evidence. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 81: Draft a comparative-language research note. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on Proto-Malagasy reconstruction and contact evidence. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Module 10. Advanced analytical portfolio — lessons 82–90

Language-specific emphasis: a variety-specific authentic Malagasy dossier. Read the appropriate published linguistic grammar, dictionary or historical documentary reference. Record speaker community, location, genre, relevant date and original orthography.

Lesson 82: Compile a dated annotated bibliography. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on a variety-specific authentic Malagasy dossier. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 83: Produce a forty-item sourced wordlist. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on a variety-specific authentic Malagasy dossier. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 84: Prepare a careful orthography dossier. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on a variety-specific authentic Malagasy dossier. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 85: Analyze a verified sound recording. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on a variety-specific authentic Malagasy dossier. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 86: Write a noun-phrase mini-analysis. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on a variety-specific authentic Malagasy dossier. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 87: Write a source-attributed verb analysis. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on a variety-specific authentic Malagasy dossier. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 88: Design a culturally sensitive language activity. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on a variety-specific authentic Malagasy dossier. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 89: Complete a citation and evidence-quality audit. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on a variety-specific authentic Malagasy dossier. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

Lesson 90: Submit a final encyclopedia research dossier. Learning goal: develop a defensible analysis of Malagasy with emphasis on a variety-specific authentic Malagasy dossier. Research task: locate evidence in a published linguistic work or consented primary record, record the text’s original source form when available, identify the language variety and compare one independent analysis. Explain its morphology, semantics, pronunciation or social context only to the extent verified by the source. Practice assignment: submit a brief original analysis, a documented example or a carefully identified gap in the record, and one research question with a justified answer. Quality check: do not construct unattested paradigms, attribute a neighbor’s language forms to Malagasy or silently normalize historical spelling.

13. Supplementary instructional design and assessment

A complete future teaching program may incorporate permission-cleared authentic audio, printable grammar worksheets, referenced lexical cards, careful pronunciation guides, video demonstrations, texts with morpheme-by-morpheme glosses and cultural-literacy readings. These are recommendations, not statements that audio, videos, books, certificates or testing have already been published. Proposed academic research assessment: primary-source integrity (25%), phonology and orthography analysis (15%), grammar and textual analysis (25%), community-informed cultural and ethical understanding (15%), and an independently researched final paper (20%).

14. Reference bibliography

1. ISO Malagasy inclusive language code mlg. Verify publication date, specific speech community and edition when extracting direct linguistic forms.
2. Glottolog Plateau Malagasy, ISO plt. Verify publication date, specific speech community and edition when extracting direct linguistic forms.
3. ABVD Proto-Malagasy reconstruction and historical loans (Adelaar). Verify publication date, specific speech community and edition when extracting direct linguistic forms.
4. ASJP Bara Malagasy variety, ISO bhr. Verify publication date, specific speech community and edition when extracting direct linguistic forms.
5. WildMadagascar free educational phrasebook. Verify publication date, specific speech community and edition when extracting direct linguistic forms.

Transparency statement: identity and classification have been cross-checked against named academic catalogues. Limited short forms are attributed to the stated sources. Ninety numbered study briefs do not amount to ninety completed original-language lessons and need a subsequent expert review, especially for regional variation, phonology and real dialogue.