Malayalam-speaking refers to the use of the Malayalam language, which is predominantly spoken in the Indian state of Kerala and the union territory of Lakshadweep. It is one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and has a rich literary tradition, with a history dating back over a thousand years. The language is part of the Dravidian language family and is known for its unique script, which is derived from the ancient Brahmi script. Malayalam is spoken by approximately 38 million people, making it one of the most widely spoken languages in India.