Alternate Names: Malai Vedan, Malavetan, Towetan, Veda Bhasha, Vedans, Vettava Bhasha
Dialects: Vetan, Vettuvan. Lexical similarity: 64%–68% with Malayalam ,, 48%–52% with Tamil ,.
Genealogy:
Demographics: Ethnic population: 12,600 (2001 census). Total population unknown. 6,190 in Kerala, 6,410 in Tamil Nadu (2001 census).
Language Use: Dying out in Idukki District, replaced by Malayalam [mal]. Home, village in Pathanamthitta district. Positive attitudes in Pathanamthitta district. Bilingualism in Malayalam [mal] widespread in Kerala.
Language Development: Literacy rate in L2: 67%–78% for Kerala, 56% for Tamil Nadu (2001 census).
Nation of Origin: India
Other Comments: A Scheduled Tribe. Hindu.