Tamil language

History

Like the other Dravidian languages, but unlike most of the other established literary languages of India, the origins of Tamil are independent of Sanskrit. Tamil has the longest unbroken literary tradition amongst the Dravidian languages. Tamil tradition dates the oldest works to several millennia ago, but the earliest examples of Tamil writing we have today are in inscriptions from the 3rd century BCE, which are written in an adapted form of the Brahmi script (Mahadevan, 2003). Dating the earliest literary works themselves is difficult, in large part because they were preserved either in palm leaf manuscripts (implying repeated copying and recopying) or through oral transmission. Internal linguistic evidence, however, indicates that the oldest extant works were probably composed sometime between the 2nd century BCE and the 3rd century CE. The earliest available text is the Tolk?ppiyam, a work on poetics and grammar which describes the language of the classical period, portions of which date back to around 200 BCE. Archaelogical evidence obtained from inscriptions excavated in 2005 dates the language to around 1000 BCE.http://www.hindu.com/2005/04/03/stories/2005040301931400.htm The most significant epic written in the ancient Tamil language is the Silappadikaram, composed around 200-300 CE.

Related Topics:
Dravidian languages - Languages of India - Sanskrit - Millennia - 3rd century BCE - 2003 - Palm leaf manuscript - 2nd century BCE - 3rd century - Tolk?ppiyam - 200 BCE - 2005 - 1000 BCE - Epic - Silappadikaram - 200 - 300

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Linguists categorise Tamil literature and language into three periods: ancient (200 BCE to 700 CE), medieval (700 CE to 1500 CE) and modern (1500 CE to the present). During the medieval period, a number of Sanskrit loan words were absorbed by Tamil, which many 20th century purists, notably Parithimaar Kalaignar and Maraimalai Adigal, later sought to remove. This movement was called thanith thamizh iyakkam (meaning pure Tamil movement). As a result of this, Tamil in formal documents, public speeches and scientific discourses is largely free of Sanskrit loan words. Between 800 and 1000 CE, Malayalam is believed to have evolved into a distinct language.

Related Topics:
Linguists - Tamil literature - 700 - 1500 - Loan word - 20th century - Purist - Parithimaar Kalaignar - Maraimalai Adigal - 800 - 1000 - Malayalam

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