Which is the oldest language in the world ?
**The Oldest Language in the World**
*Introduction*
The concept of "the oldest language in the world" is a complex and debatable subject. Linguists and historians have different opinions, and the answer may vary depending on the criteria used to determine the age of a language. However, one of the languages that is often considered to be one of the oldest is Tamil.
**Tamil: An Ancient Language**
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken primarily in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and other parts of South India and Sri Lanka. It is one of the official languages of India and has a rich literary history dating back over two thousand years. Tamil has a unique script and a vast body of literature, making it one of the oldest documented languages in the world.
**The Age of Tamil**
Tamil's age can be determined through various factors such as literary evidence, linguistic analysis, and archaeological findings.
*Literary Evidence:* Tamil has an extensive collection of ancient texts, including the Sangam literature, which is a collection of poems and songs written between 300 BCE and 300 CE. These texts provide insights into the language's grammar, vocabulary, and usage during that time. The presence of such literature suggests that Tamil has been in use for several millennia.
*Linguistic Analysis:* Linguists study the evolution and divergence of languages to determine their age. By analyzing the linguistic features and comparing them to related languages, they can estimate the approximate age of a language. Tamil shows distinct characteristics that set it apart from other Dravidian languages, indicating a long history of development.
*Archaeological Findings:* The Indus Valley Civilization, one of the world's oldest urban civilizations dating back to 2500 BCE, has yielded inscriptions that are yet to be deciphered. Some scholars propose that these inscriptions may be written in an early form of Tamil. If proven, it would provide evidence of Tamil's existence at least as far back as the Indus Valley Civilization.
**Conclusion**
While it is challenging to definitively determine the oldest language in the world, Tamil is considered one of the oldest languages due to its extensive literary history, linguistic uniqueness, and potential links to ancient civilizations. However, it is important to note that language evolution is a complex process, and there may be other ancient languages yet to be discovered or adequately studied.
Which is the oldest language in the world ?
The correct answer is Vedic Sanskrit it was the oldest language born about 1500-500 BCE.
To make sure you are not studying endlessly, EduRev has designed Class 6 study material, with Structured Courses, Videos, & Test Series. Plus get personalized analysis, doubt solving and improvement plans to achieve a great score in Class 6.