The Malagasy people spoke a colorful language that is primarily of Malayo-Polynesian origin.

Translation Under Way

In the early 1820’s, the only written form of Malagasy was called sorabe​—Malagasy words written in Arabic characters. Only a handful of people could read that. So after the missionaries consulted with King Radama I, the king granted permission to adopt the Roman alphabet and use it in place of sorabe.