Tamil Language: Origins, Grammar, and Literature

Study Notes

Tamil Language

The Tamil language is one of the oldest languages still spoken today. It was developed between 500 BCE and 300 CE during the Sangam period. This ancient civilization originated in South India. They were able to preserve their culture through oral tradition because they did not have access to writing materials. Today, Tamil is spoken by approximately 78 million people worldwide, making it the seventh most-spoken language globally.

Origins and History

While there is no definitive evidence pointing to any specific place where Tamil originated from, Kanchi in the present state of Tamil Nadu has been identified as the probable birthplace of this ancient language. Traditional sources suggest that Tamil evolved out of Proto-Dravidian, which dates back around 5,000 years ago. Some scholars also believe that it could have had its roots in Indus Valley Civilization's influences.

In modern times, Tamil has undergone changes due to English influence. In 1814, the British introduced the printing press into Madras, Sri Lanka, and Malacca, leading to widespread publication of books, magazines, etc., written mainly in English. Later, after independence, English continued to dominate in education and administration, so much so that those who wanted to make a career in these fields began to learn English even before learning their mother tongue. Despite this foreign influence, Tamil continues to remain alive, thanks largely to non-English medium schools like Vidya Mandir High School, established by C. Rajagopalachari in 1947.

Grammar and Structure

Tamil grammar tends towards simplicity in structure, with verbs often attaching directly to noun phrases without conjugating them in the past tense. Many literary genres exist within Tamil literature, including poetry, prose, and drama. Its vocabulary includes over 1.8 million words, some of which are derived from other Dravidian languages such as Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada. Like all Dravidian languages, Tamil uses genders and cases similar to Latin and Greek.

Literature and Writing

A variety of Tamil literature exists, catering to different tastes. Poems called 'Pathuppattu', considered among the greatest works ever produced, contain love lyrics based on Hindu mythology. Religious poems known as 'Vaishnava Pathupaatukkarar' deal with religious matters. These two forms constitute the majority of classical Tamil poetry, with only small amounts falling outside these categories.

Writings in the Tamil language can generally be divided into four types - narrative, poetic, descriptive, and argumentative, each serving unique purposes. Narratives tell stories containing moral lessons; poetic writings convey primarily emotional experiences; descriptions focus more strongly on physical surroundings while discussing ideas; arguments express opinions or views for discussion.

Overall, Tamil has played a significant role in shaping Asian civilization. It reflects the spirit of the southern part of Asia and will continue to grow along with the rest of society.

Description

Explore the fascinating history, grammar, and literature of the ancient Tamil language. Learn about its evolution from Proto-Dravidian, its grammar structure, and the various literary genres within Tamil literature. Discover how Tamil has thrived despite foreign influences and continues to be a vibrant language today.