WHAT IS SRI LANKA LANGUAGE

Table Of Content

About Sri Lanka
Official Sri Lanka languages
Sri Lanka Languages – Sinhala
Relation of Sri Lanka Languages with Others
Conclusion About Sri Lanka Languages
Tamil Language in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka Languages are Sinhala, Tamil, English, Malay, Portuguese Creole, Arabic. There are 3 official languages in Sri Lanka. those are Sinhala, Tamil, and English. Sri Lanka is an island country in South Asia. The country is formerly known as Ceylon, and now officially known as the “Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka”. Sri Lanka Capital city is “Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte” and the main commercial city is “Colombo”.

• Sinhala
• Tamil
• English

The main Sri Lanka Language is Sinhala. “Sinhala” is a name of a language and also a name of ethnicity. The Sinhala Language is the mother language of the Sinhala ethnics people. In Sri Lanka, the Sinhala Language is Not only using Sinhal people but other ethnic groups like Tamil, Berger, and Muslim people too. The second Sri Lanka Language is Tamil. It is using Tamil people and Muslim people too. Also, most Sinhala People are using the Tamil language to communicate with each people. All Sri Lankan People are using English as a link language.

Languages in Sri Lanka – Sinhala

Sinhala is the language of the Sinhalese people, who constitute 74% of the Sri Lanka population. It is now generally accepted that Sinhala is a member of the Indo–Aryan subfamily of languages. As an Indo-Aryan language Sinhala has its roots in classical Indian languages but today Sinhala language nowhere else in the region except Sri Lanka. Sinhala is an evolving language with a rich and colorful history. So, many linguists have done a lot of research on the origin of the Sinhala language.

 

The first of these was Wilhelm Geiger (21 July 1856 – 2 September 1943). Also, the researches of Prof. Sandagomi Koparahewa had considered very important. Thus we can understand the route of the Sinhala language with these scholars’ vast discovered knowledge. It has been said before that Sinhala is a member of an Indo-Aryan sub-family. Its meaning should get through the research of the aforesaid scholars. While-Reading those researches, it is clear that the Sinhala language has used in northern India and in “Kalinga” in the Jajpur district of India. They confirmed that it was before the 6th century. Accordingly, the aforesaid scholars said that the Sinhala language had come to Sri Lanka.

The table below shows the relationship of Sri Lanka Languages.

	Sanskrit	Bengali	Oriya	Sinhala	Gujarati
tooth	dat	danta	dānta	dat	dānta
fire	agni	ogni	agni	gini	āg
son	putra	put	putu	put	pūt
seven	sapta	sāt	sāta	sat	sāt
one	ēka	ēk	ēka	ek	ek
ear	karna	kān	kāna	kan	kāna

 

But one of the modern Sri Lankan linguists Arisen Ahubudu said that the Sinhala Language did not come from abroad. Sri Lanka people had used the “HelaBasa” language before the 6th century. He is of the opinion that the “HelaBasa” was the Sinhala language. Accordingly, he said that the Sinhala language was born in Sri Lanka. The Sinhala language has evolved from the day of its origin till today. Looking at it that way, several eras with notable changes in its history can be easily identified. Most of the scholars have accepted Wilhelm Geiger’s Sinhala Grammar division of eras. Accordingly, the history of the Sinhala language is divided into four eras as shown below.

• Prakrit Period of Sinhala Language – 3rd / 2nd century BC to 4th / 5th century AD
• Ancient Sinhalese Period – 5th/5th century AD to 8th century AD
• Middle Sinhalese Period – 8th century AD to 13th century AD
• Modern Sinhalese Period – Mid 13th century AD to present day

Conclusion About Sri Lanka Sinhala Language

Accordingly, it can understand that the Sinhala language was in use in Sri Lanka at that time as well as in the aforesaid areas of India. However, any language mixes with other languages and develops. This is also known as language evolution. Inside Sinhala language vocabulary we can found Indian Sanskrit, Pali, Bengali, Gujarati, Oriya, and Tamil words. And Words from Greek and Latin too. Also, words from Portuguese, Dutch, and English have found. This means that each language has nurtured other languages too. So finally, we can conclude that Sinhala, the language of Sri Lanka also is an evolution language. It is adding words from different languages and developing time by time.

Further reading

• Sinhala Language
• Origin of Sinhala and Kalinga – Lanka Linguistic Affinitie

Tamil Language in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka boasts a rich cultural tapestry, and language plays a crucial role in this diversity. Among the primary languages in Sri Lanka, Tamil stands out as one of the most historically significant and widely spoken. Moreover, as an official language, Tamil deeply ingrains itself in Sri Lanka’s identity, particularly in the Northern and Eastern provinces. Therefore, this article explores Tamil’s importance, its role in society, and its unique features in the context of “Sri Lanka Language.”

Origins of Tamil Language

Tamil, one of the oldest classical languages in the world, traces its origins back over 2,000 to 3,000 years. It belongs to the Dravidian language family, a group predominantly spoken in South India and northeastern Sri Lanka. To understand Tamil’s historical journey, we need to explore how it originated and developed over time.

Proto-Dravidian Roots

Tamil forms part of the Dravidian language family, which includes languages like Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam. Linguists believe that the Dravidian languages originated from a common ancestral language called Proto-Dravidian. Furthermore, they suggest that people spoke Proto-Dravidian around 6,000 years ago, possibly in regions that now include South India and parts of Sri Lanka.

Sangam Period (300 BCE – 300 CE)

The earliest evidence of the Tamil language dates back to the Sangam period, an era known for its rich literary output. During this time, Tamil literature flourished, producing a vast collection of poetry and prose known as Sangam literature. These works offer deep insights into early Tamil society, culture, and language. Written in Old Tamil, Sangam literature reflects the language’s advanced structure and vocabulary. Consequently, this indicates that Tamil had already developed significantly by this period.

Old Tamil (300 BCE – 700 CE)

Old Tamil represents the earliest recorded form of the language. Inscriptions in Old Tamil appear on ancient rock edicts and monuments, particularly in Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka. During this period, the language had a distinct grammar and phonetic system, much of which classical Tamil literature preserves. Additionally, the Tamil-Brahmi script, an early writing system, transcribed Old Tamil and stands as one of the oldest scripts in the Indian subcontinent.

Medieval Tamil (700 – 1600 CE)

Medieval Tamil witnessed the evolution of its grammar, vocabulary, and script. This period marked a significant transformation, as Tamil speakers composed religious and philosophical texts, including works by Tamil saints and poets like the Alvars and Nayanars. The Tamil script evolved into a more complex system during this time, and the language absorbed influences from Sanskrit due to cultural and religious interactions. Despite these influences, Tamil maintained its distinct identity and continued to develop a rich literary tradition.

Modern Tamil (1600 CE – Present)

Modern Tamil began to take shape around the 17th century, undergoing further changes in syntax, phonology, and vocabulary. It adapted to contemporary needs while retaining its classical roots. Today, Tamil thrives as a dynamic language spoken by millions worldwide, including in India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, and among the global Tamil diaspora. Therefore, it continues to flourish in both its classical and modern forms, serving in literature, media, education, and daily communication.

Tamil in Sri Lanka

Tamil in Sri Lanka has closely tied to the island’s early history. The Tamil-speaking population in Sri Lanka has ancient roots, with archaeological and historical evidence indicating that Tamil speakers have lived on the island for over 2,000 years. The Jaffna Peninsula, in particular, has long served as a center of Tamil culture and language. Tamil in Sri Lanka developed alongside Tamil in South India. However, it evolved with unique dialects and linguistic characteristics, influenced by the island’s diverse cultural interactions.

Tamil as an Official Language in Sri Lanka

Tamil, alongside Sinhala, holds the status of an official language in Sri Lanka. The government established this recognition through constitutional reforms in the 20th century to ensure equal linguistic rights for the Tamil-speaking population. As a result, officials use Tamil in government documents, educational institutions, and public services, underscoring its importance in Sri Lankan society. This bilingual policy promotes inclusivity and facilitates communication between the country’s diverse ethnic communities.

The Influence of Tamil on Other Sri Lankan Languages

Tamil has significantly influenced the broader “Sri Lanka Language” scene. It has contributed a variety of words and phrases to Sinhala and other local dialects, particularly in areas with a significant Tamil-speaking population. This linguistic exchange reflects the cultural interactions between the Tamil and Sinhalese communities over centuries. Consequently, this mutual influence has enriched Sri Lanka’s linguistic heritage, making it a unique blend of languages and cultures.

Conclusion About Sri Lanka Tamil Language

The Tamil language has a long and illustrious history, originating as a member of the Dravidian language family and evolving through various stages over thousands of years. Its origins in the Sangam era, development through medieval times, and modern-day form demonstrate the language’s resilience and adaptability. In Sri Lanka, Tamil has maintained its significance, contributing to the cultural and linguistic heritage of the island while preserving its ancient roots. Thus, Tamil continues to be a vital part of Sri Lanka’s diverse and multifaceted linguistic landscape.