Malagasy

The native language of Madagascar, a large island off the S.E. coast of Africa; it is a Polynesian compound, comprising elements from the Bali , Javanese , Nias , and Toba ; the language and people are called Malagash ; the native term for the island is Nosindambo, “wild-boar island.” The Hovas are the dominant race. See early Catechism, 1658; Flacourt’s “Dicty.,” 1658; works by Freeman and Ellis; Introduction by Ke ler, London, 1870; Grammar by Van der Tuuk. ⁂ The history of the Hovas is still very obscure, but Mr. Van der Tuuk has sufficiently proved that their language is a peculiar branch of Malayan , showing affinities to Javanese , Batak , Dayak , .     P. J. V.