Determining the oldest language in the world Tamil and Sanskrit is a complicated task, both languages have ancient roots and high histories.
1. Sanskrit is one of the oldest languages in the world, with a documented history spanning more than 3,500 years.
2. Sanskrit’s precise origins are difficult to pinpoint, but its influence on many Indian languages and its status as a sacred language in Hinduism highlight its historical significance.
3. Tamil: These belong to the southern branch of the Dravidian languages, a family of around 26 languages native to the Indian subcontinent.
4. It is also classified as being part of a Tamil language family that, alongside Tamil proper, includes the languages of about 35 ethnolinguistic groups such as the Irula and Yerucula, languages.
5. Tamil isn’t just a language, it is an important identity of Tamil culture. The Sangam age literary work ‘Kalithogai’ has references to the Lemuria continent, where it is mentioned as ‘Karodaiyaaru’. It was destroyed during ‘Kadal Kol’. Ancient Tamil poet Kaniyan Poongundranar’s popular quote ‘Yaadhum Oore Yaavarum Kelir’ has been recognized by the United Nations.
6. Tamil is one of the classical languages of India and has a literary tradition dating back over 2,000 years.It is spoken predominantly in southern India and Sri Lanka, with a rich body of ancient literature, including the Sangam literature, which dates back to the 3rd century BCE to the 3rd century CE. Tamil is known for its antiquity and the continuity of its literary tradition.
7. The debate over which is older, Tamil or Sanskrit, often revolves around different criteria such as literary records, cultural impact, and linguistic evolution. Sanskrit’s ancient texts provide a strong historical foundation, while Tamil’s uninterrupted literary tradition and ancient inscriptions demonstrate its enduring cultural significance.
Conclusion:
Both Tamil and Sanskrit are ancient languages with deep historical roots, Sanskrit’s documented history and cultural influence over millennia position it as one of the oldest languages in the world.
