What Is the Oldest Language Still Spoken Today?

Let's explore the captivating realm of Tamul, a truly unique language that encompasses a vibrant history, user-friendly nature, and extensive reach. Tamul stands as a linguistic gem that will leave you amazed. To begin with, Tamul holds the esteemed title of being the oldest living language on Earth, spanning over five thousand years of existence. While we cannot definitively claim it as the oldest language ever, it undeniably takes the crown as the oldest living language still in active use today.

The word "Tamul" itself is far from a one-dimensional term; it carries multiple meanings. Of course, it refers to the language itself, but it also symbolizes beauty, sweetness, and the essence of being natural. Talk about a versatile word! Now, you might wonder how many people still speak this language today. Well, Tamul is like a rock star of languages in India, boasting over 84 million native speakers worldwide. Nearly 90 million individuals proudly call Tamul their mother tongue.

Hold on tight because we are about to experience the divine in India. There is a temple dedicated to none other than Tamul Thai. The term "Thai" translates to "mother," and this deity embodies the essence of the Tamul language as a loving and nurturing parent. Moreover, Tamul's influence extends beyond its homeland. It serves as an official language in Singapore and Sri Lanka, and it holds minority language status in South Africa, Malaysia, and Mauritius.

Have you ever pondered how it all began? The origins of spoken language are not something we can precisely pinpoint. Linguists speculate that the first spoken language emerged approximately 100,000 years ago. Unfortunately, since written language only appeared 5,000 years ago, we lack detailed information about the sounds and structure of those ancient languages. However, what we do know is that they bear some connection to the languages we speak today.

The Earth is an immense place, home to over 7,000 spoken languages among a population of over 7 billion people. At first glance, that might seem like a staggering number. Yet, historically speaking, it is not as vast as one might expect. In fact, many languages are gradually fading away, being replaced by the official languages of their respective countries. People are embracing dominant languages to gain better educational and economic opportunities. Perhaps, in the future, we may witness the emergence of a global language to rule them all. Currently, English stands as the most widely used language globally, but it wasn't always the case.

In the past, the world was a patchwork of numerous small nations and communities, each fostering its own unique languages. It is estimated that hundreds of thousands of languages once thrived, evolving much like living organisms. Let's embark on a brief journey back in time, envisioning early humans roaming the land in their tribes and communities. Within these groups, language emerged as an essential tool for communication, enabling them to excel in hunting, multiply their numbers, construct impressive structures, and endure harsh conditions, even at high altitudes. Language gave them an advantage over rivals like the Neanderthals, who, despite their intelligence and strength, did not possess the same level of cohesive gathering. Eventually, around forty thousand years ago, the Neanderthals disappeared, while Homo sapiens continued to thrive, thanks in part to the power of language. This is one of the prevailing theories surrounding the significance of language.

As time progressed, humans spread across major land masses, and Mesopotamia became a focal point for linguistic developments. Around 3200 BCE, Sumerian, an incredibly fascinating language, took center stage. To this day, it stands as one of the oldest known languages. What sets Sumerian apart is its lack of linguistic relatives; it stood alone on the linguistic