Comments on: Tamil vs. Sanskrit, or Indian ‘official classical languages’, and the first tongue in India (AKA. Indus Valley Civilization language) http://carlosquiles.com/indo-european-language-blog/2007/08/tamil-vs-sanskrit-or-indian-official-classical-languages-and-the-first-tongue-in-india-aka-indus-valley-civilization-language/ Proto-Indo-European Language, Indo-European Languages & European Union Language Policy Mon, 26 Jul 2010 01:59:55 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Vasant Davé http://carlosquiles.com/indo-european-language-blog/2007/08/tamil-vs-sanskrit-or-indian-official-classical-languages-and-the-first-tongue-in-india-aka-indus-valley-civilization-language/comment-page-1/#comment-3422 Vasant Davé Mon, 26 Jul 2010 01:59:55 +0000 http://carlosquiles.com/indo-european-language-blog/2007/08/17/tamil-vs-sanskrit-or-indian-official-classical-languages-and-the-first-tongue-in-india-aka-indus-valley-civilization-language/#comment-3422 To me, Indus Valley language and script appear like an elephant that is being perceived by six blind men. Perhaps there is a bit of truth in various theories, which need to be corelated to get the complete picture. To me, Indus Valley language and script appear like an elephant that is being perceived by six blind men. Perhaps there is a bit of truth in various theories, which need to be corelated to get the complete picture.

]]> By: Amar http://carlosquiles.com/indo-european-language-blog/2007/08/tamil-vs-sanskrit-or-indian-official-classical-languages-and-the-first-tongue-in-india-aka-indus-valley-civilization-language/comment-page-1/#comment-3309 Amar Sat, 03 Jul 2010 09:59:09 +0000 http://carlosquiles.com/indo-european-language-blog/2007/08/17/tamil-vs-sanskrit-or-indian-official-classical-languages-and-the-first-tongue-in-india-aka-indus-valley-civilization-language/#comment-3309 Sanskrit is older Sanskrit is older

]]> By: Panaiyadi Chozhan http://carlosquiles.com/indo-european-language-blog/2007/08/tamil-vs-sanskrit-or-indian-official-classical-languages-and-the-first-tongue-in-india-aka-indus-valley-civilization-language/comment-page-1/#comment-3149 Panaiyadi Chozhan Fri, 09 Apr 2010 03:29:44 +0000 http://carlosquiles.com/indo-european-language-blog/2007/08/17/tamil-vs-sanskrit-or-indian-official-classical-languages-and-the-first-tongue-in-india-aka-indus-valley-civilization-language/#comment-3149 <i>Karthik</i>: I went thru your article at: http://chennairhythms.blogspot.com/2009/12/hindi-vs-tamil.html. Interesting. But, somewhat unrelated to the topic discussed here. - Panaiyadi Chozhan. Karthik:
I went thru your article at:
http://chennairhythms.blogspot.com/2009/12/hindi-vs-tamil.html.

Interesting.
But, somewhat unrelated to the topic discussed here.

- Panaiyadi Chozhan.

]]> By: Panaiyadi Chozhan http://carlosquiles.com/indo-european-language-blog/2007/08/tamil-vs-sanskrit-or-indian-official-classical-languages-and-the-first-tongue-in-india-aka-indus-valley-civilization-language/comment-page-1/#comment-3147 Panaiyadi Chozhan Fri, 09 Apr 2010 03:14:45 +0000 http://carlosquiles.com/indo-european-language-blog/2007/08/17/tamil-vs-sanskrit-or-indian-official-classical-languages-and-the-first-tongue-in-india-aka-indus-valley-civilization-language/#comment-3147 Hi ALL: This discussion is interesting. From what I see, <i>Indo-European</i> seems to have done some research in this area, and thus speaks with confidence. If anyone wants to challenge <i>Indo-European</i>, he/she must either already be a researcher in this field or must start doing some non trivial work (such as publishing papers/books in this area) and then say whatever he/she wants. Sanskrit is "dead" now, if it is of any consolation to Tamil enthusiasts. :-) If you can now start adding, whatever you can, to the "history, prestige, literature, etc." of Tamil, then maybe, after a few more thousand years, Tamil might become a 'greater' language, and of course, Sanskrit by then might have disappeared from human memory. - Panaiyadi Chozhan. Hi ALL:
This discussion is interesting. From what I see, Indo-European seems to have done some research in this area, and thus speaks with confidence. If anyone wants to challenge Indo-European, he/she must either already be a researcher in this field or must start doing some non trivial work (such as publishing papers/books in this area) and then say whatever he/she wants.

Sanskrit is “dead” now, if it is of any consolation to Tamil enthusiasts. :-) If you can now start adding, whatever you can, to the “history, prestige, literature, etc.” of Tamil, then maybe, after a few more thousand years, Tamil might become a ‘greater’ language, and of course, Sanskrit by then might have disappeared from human memory.

- Panaiyadi Chozhan.

]]> By: Karthik http://carlosquiles.com/indo-european-language-blog/2007/08/tamil-vs-sanskrit-or-indian-official-classical-languages-and-the-first-tongue-in-india-aka-indus-valley-civilization-language/comment-page-1/#comment-3114 Karthik Thu, 01 Apr 2010 22:08:46 +0000 http://carlosquiles.com/indo-european-language-blog/2007/08/17/tamil-vs-sanskrit-or-indian-official-classical-languages-and-the-first-tongue-in-india-aka-indus-valley-civilization-language/#comment-3114 http://chennairhythms.blogspot.com/2009/12/hindi-vs-tamil.html http://chennairhythms.blogspot.com/2009/12/hindi-vs-tamil.html

]]> By: pearl http://carlosquiles.com/indo-european-language-blog/2007/08/tamil-vs-sanskrit-or-indian-official-classical-languages-and-the-first-tongue-in-india-aka-indus-valley-civilization-language/comment-page-1/#comment-2832 pearl Mon, 28 Dec 2009 12:53:45 +0000 http://carlosquiles.com/indo-european-language-blog/2007/08/17/tamil-vs-sanskrit-or-indian-official-classical-languages-and-the-first-tongue-in-india-aka-indus-valley-civilization-language/#comment-2832 All over the world, people used some language to communicate( even without script ). But the classical status to the language depends on lot of factors.thirukural by saint thiruvalluvar is 2040 is older as per the research.Entire thirukural written by perfect grammer.Before that lot of literature exists in tamil. All over the world, people used some language to communicate( even without script ). But the classical status to the language depends on lot of factors.thirukural by saint thiruvalluvar is 2040 is older as per the research.Entire thirukural written by perfect grammer.Before that lot of literature exists in tamil.

]]> By: Leon http://carlosquiles.com/indo-european-language-blog/2007/08/tamil-vs-sanskrit-or-indian-official-classical-languages-and-the-first-tongue-in-india-aka-indus-valley-civilization-language/comment-page-1/#comment-420 Leon Thu, 12 Feb 2009 14:54:03 +0000 http://carlosquiles.com/indo-european-language-blog/2007/08/17/tamil-vs-sanskrit-or-indian-official-classical-languages-and-the-first-tongue-in-india-aka-indus-valley-civilization-language/#comment-420 Although i am a North Indian. based from the sites that i have read,i think that Tamil is the oldest language. Shame to my north Indian people for lying all these years saying that Sanskrit was the oldest. I love T.A.M.I.L. Although i am a North Indian. based from the sites that i have read,i think that Tamil is the oldest language. Shame to my north Indian people for lying all these years saying that Sanskrit was the oldest. I love T.A.M.I.L.

]]> By: Selvi http://carlosquiles.com/indo-european-language-blog/2007/08/tamil-vs-sanskrit-or-indian-official-classical-languages-and-the-first-tongue-in-india-aka-indus-valley-civilization-language/comment-page-1/#comment-200 Selvi Wed, 01 Oct 2008 20:40:34 +0000 http://carlosquiles.com/indo-european-language-blog/2007/08/17/tamil-vs-sanskrit-or-indian-official-classical-languages-and-the-first-tongue-in-india-aka-indus-valley-civilization-language/#comment-200 Hi all, It is good that you are all talking about Indian languages. But there are a few views I would like to share. Tamil is a classical language. It was not just a political aspect that gave it that status. It was declared classical by the world countries long before it was accepted in India. http://tamil.berkeley.edu/Tamil%20Chair/TamilClassicalLanguage/TamilClassicalLgeLtr.html Tamil is older than Sanskrit: Atleast according to the written text proofs, Tamil has proof of two centuries older than Sanskrit. If we have to run on the fancy, even then Tamil also has citations of previous existence. # Classical Sanskrit (defined by Panini's grammar, ca. 4th c. BC) # Classical Tamil (the language of Sangam literature[3], 2nd c. BC to 3rd c. AD)[4] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classical_languages Some facts about me: My mother tongue is Telugu. I speak English,Hindi, Tamil and Telugu. I can read Sanskrit, German, Italian and French. I am saying these to show that I can be neutral and not biased. No one is trying to degrade Sanskrit here. People are trying to establish some truth about Tamil long forgotten and suppressed for some strange reasons. Most of the research on the age and literature of Tamil and Sanskrit were done in foreign countries [to India], who are neutral to both the languages and so one need not worry about the genuineness. Attempts are made to earn respect for an Old language before it dies away like other Classical languages to give it its due respect. Hope things are taken in the right sense. Regards, Divya Hi all,
It is good that you are all talking about Indian languages. But there are a few views I would like to share.

Tamil is a classical language.

It was not just a political aspect that gave it that status. It was declared classical by the world countries long before it was accepted in India.

http://tamil.berkeley.edu/Tamil%20Chair/TamilClassicalLanguage/TamilClassicalLgeLtr.html

Tamil is older than Sanskrit:

Atleast according to the written text proofs, Tamil has proof of two centuries older than Sanskrit. If we have to run on the fancy, even then Tamil also has citations of previous existence.

# Classical Sanskrit (defined by Panini’s grammar, ca. 4th c. BC)
# Classical Tamil (the language of Sangam literature[3], 2nd c. BC to 3rd c. AD)[4]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classical_languages

Some facts about me:

My mother tongue is Telugu. I speak English,Hindi, Tamil and Telugu. I can read Sanskrit, German, Italian and French. I am saying these to show that I can be neutral and not biased.

No one is trying to degrade Sanskrit here. People are trying to establish some truth about Tamil long forgotten and suppressed for some strange reasons.

Most of the research on the age and literature of Tamil and Sanskrit were done in foreign countries [to India], who are neutral to both the languages and so one need not worry about the genuineness.

Attempts are made to earn respect for an Old language before it dies away like other Classical languages to give it its due respect.

Hope things are taken in the right sense.

Regards,
Divya

]]> By: Anonymous http://carlosquiles.com/indo-european-language-blog/2007/08/tamil-vs-sanskrit-or-indian-official-classical-languages-and-the-first-tongue-in-india-aka-indus-valley-civilization-language/comment-page-1/#comment-192 Anonymous Fri, 12 Sep 2008 03:55:01 +0000 http://carlosquiles.com/indo-european-language-blog/2007/08/17/tamil-vs-sanskrit-or-indian-official-classical-languages-and-the-first-tongue-in-india-aka-indus-valley-civilization-language/#comment-192 I would like to point something here: The ancient southeast asian countries were hindu by religion & southindian in character yet they used the language Sanskrit,not any southindian present day language. Isn't this something ? Also, great southindian saints of the last 1500 years like Shankaracharya, Ramanujacharya & Madhvacharya used sanskrit for discourse. Why so ? Just a few points to ponder. I would like to point something here:

The ancient southeast asian countries were hindu by religion & southindian in character yet they used the language Sanskrit,not any southindian present day language.

Isn’t this something ? Also, great southindian saints of the last 1500 years like Shankaracharya, Ramanujacharya & Madhvacharya used sanskrit for discourse. Why so ?

Just a few points to ponder.

]]> By: Indo-European http://carlosquiles.com/indo-european-language-blog/2007/08/tamil-vs-sanskrit-or-indian-official-classical-languages-and-the-first-tongue-in-india-aka-indus-valley-civilization-language/comment-page-1/#comment-166 Indo-European Wed, 30 Jul 2008 16:18:18 +0000 http://carlosquiles.com/indo-european-language-blog/2007/08/17/tamil-vs-sanskrit-or-indian-official-classical-languages-and-the-first-tongue-in-india-aka-indus-valley-civilization-language/#comment-166 @Zorba: The controversy is about Sanskrit vs. Proto-Tamil (or Proto-Dravidian, or whichever Dravidian dialect corresponds to Vedic and Classical Sanskrit), because the original question was something like "<strong>which is India's Classical language</strong>?". The answer was (and still is) just "<strong>Sanskrit</strong>". Some Indians call "officially" Tamil "the other Classical language" because of modern political correctness or just raw nationalism, but those reasons don't reach us foreigners. I agree with you in that the question is immaterial, given that there were (and thus are) no other "Classical languages" in India apart from Sanskrit, just many scattered languages - either Indo-Aryan, Dravidian or others. But, that's what some people like to discuss today, and I don't mind discussing it... @Zorba: The controversy is about Sanskrit vs. Proto-Tamil (or Proto-Dravidian, or whichever Dravidian dialect corresponds to Vedic and Classical Sanskrit), because the original question was something like “which is India’s Classical language?”. The answer was (and still is) just “Sanskrit“. Some Indians call “officially” Tamil “the other Classical language” because of modern political correctness or just raw nationalism, but those reasons don’t reach us foreigners.
I agree with you in that the question is immaterial, given that there were (and thus are) no other “Classical languages” in India apart from Sanskrit, just many scattered languages – either Indo-Aryan, Dravidian or others. But, that’s what some people like to discuss today, and I don’t mind discussing it…

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