Tamil is from the Dravidian language family, and primarily finds its voice among the Tamil community in India and Sri Lanka. It carries the weight of deep-rooted history and rich literary traditions, making it one of the few ancient languages still alive and kicking today.

Origins and History:

• Tamil traces its roots back to around the 3rd century BCE, with its structure and form evolving over the ages.
• “Sangam” texts are the earliest known Tamil literature, a collection of poetry and literature dating back to the early Christian era.
• Tamil has been influenced by Sanskrit, Portuguese, Dutch, and English throughout history but has maintained its unique script and grammar.

Number of Speakers:

• Tamil is the mother tongue (Native Language) of roughly 75 million people globally.
• About 9 million people have embraced Tamil as a second language.
• Tamil-speaking communities have created homes away from home in Malaysia, Singapore, Mauritius, and several Middle Eastern countries.

Official Language Status:

• India – Tamil takes pride of place as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is the official language of the state of Tamil Nadu.
• Sri Lanka – Tamil enjoys official status in Sri Lanka, sharing this honour with Sinhala.
• Singapore – Tamil is one of the four recognised official languages in Singapore

Example of Text:

Here’s a snippet from the timeless Tamil classic, “Thirukkural” by Thiruvalluvar:
“அகர முதல எழுத்தெல்லாம் ஆதி
பகவன் முதற்றே உலகு”

Usage:

• Literature: Tamil’s literature is rich and diverse, with a variety of genres, including poetry, epics, and philosophical texts
• Screen and Media: The robust Tamil film industry, or Kollywood, uses Tamil extensively. Tamil news channels and newspapers are popular among the Tamil-speaking population.
• Religious Practices: Many Hindu religious texts are written in Tamil and used in religious ceremonies in Hinduism.
• Education: Tamil is taught in schools and universities in regions where it is spoken natively.

English Words Used in Tamil:

The English language has coloured modern Tamil, especially in urban environments and among the younger generation. Here are a few examples:

• “Bus” (பஸ்)
• “Computer” (கம்ப்யூடர்)
• “Hospital” (ஆஸ்பத்திரி)

Tamil Words Absorbed into English:

Through the British colonial presence in India, some Tamil words found their way into the English lexicon:

• “Curry” from “kari” (கறி)
• “Mango” from “māṅga” (மாங்கா)
• “Catamaran” from “kattumaram” (கட்டுமரம்)

 

Tamil is a precious heirloom, passed down through generations, keeping the Tamil culture, history, and identity alive. Its influence extends beyond its geographical confines, and its evolution continues to mirror the vibrant life of its speakers. Be it through ancient literature, contemporary cinema, or everyday chit-chat, Tamil is a fascinating linguistic tapestry, forever weaving new stories.

 

For any international business, the importance of Tamil must not be underestimated. 

Here at Brightlines, we only use Tamil translation specialists who have used Tamil since birth. Our Tamil translation services include quality assurance, copywriting and voiceovers.