Language has played a crucial role throughout human history, serving as a potent conduit that has evolved over vast periods. The progression of languages, from ancient cave depictions to contemporary written systems, has left an indelible impact on cultures, societies, and our perspectives of the world. Oldest Languages in the World. Top 10 Oldest Languages in the World. Oldest Languages.
Within this piece, we embark on a journey through time’s enigmatic passages to reveal the ten most ancient languages worldwide, each possessing a distinctive narrative of endurance and fortitude. Oldest Languages in the World.
Top 10 Oldest Languages in the World:
Table of Contents
Sumerian
_image source: Wikipedia
Around 3200 BC, the Sumerian language came into existence, and it boasts the distinction of being the most ancient written language. Utilizing cuneiforms, the Sumerians employed wedge-shaped symbols that they skillfully imprinted on soft clay tablets using sharpened reed styluses. Archaeologists have discovered tablets dating back to the fourth millennium, which contains inscriptions of instructional content and administrative records. This now-extinct language was spoken by the ancient Sumerians residing in southern Mesopotamia.
Egyptian:
_image source: Wikipedia.
Not surprisingly, quite possibly the most established language finds its starting points in Africa, a landmass frequently alluded to as the support of mankind.
The old Egyptian language arose around 3000 BC and, like the Sumerian language, met its end in 641 AD following the Arab victory of Egypt. Ancient Egyptians employed Hieroglyphic scripts, which consisted of symbols representing humans, animals, and various artificial objects, to write their language. Among the earliest discovered Hieroglyphic scripts dating back to 2600 BC were names and short stories. Notably, the autobiographies found on the walls of private tombs served as examples of Hieroglyphs. Over the 4000 years of its existence, the written Egyptian language underwent changes, revealing an evolution observed by archaeologists.
Tamil:
_image source: Wikipedia
Tamil also claims a place among the most ancient languages, with its origins dating back to 3000 BC. Scholars classify Tamil as a Dravidian Language, and it is believed to have emerged even before 3000 BC, as evidenced by the creation of the Tamils’ first grammar book. Its spoken form likely predates its written counterpart.
Impressively, Tamil is still spoken in certain areas around the Indian subcontinent, making it one of the few ancient languages that continue to thrive today. Consequently, it holds the esteemed title of being the oldest language still in active use. In 2004, the UN granted Tamil the status of a classical language, acknowledging its original literary tradition, extensive collection of ancient texts, and historical significance.
Sanskrit:
_image source: Britannica
Sanskrit, which emerged around 1500 BC, continues to find application in religious ceremonies and sacred texts within Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism.
Being an Indo-Aryan language of the larger Indo-European family, Sanskrit comprises multiple historical iterations. Vedic Sanskrit represents the oldest known version of this language, leading some to even consider it the “mother of all tongues.”
Scholars recognize the coexistence of two main variations: Vedic Sanskrit and classical Sanskrit. The latter is believed to have evolved from the former, displaying resemblances in certain aspects while demonstrating distinctions in terms of grammar, phonology, and vocabulary.
Greek:
_image source : greekboston
Advancing just a bit in time, Greek proudly claims its position as perhaps the oldest language still spoken as a primary, day-to-day means of communication. Though Modern Greek has undergone significant evolution from the language spoken in ancient times, it undeniably traces its roots back to the era of Homer and even before.
Homer’s literary masterpieces are estimated to have been crafted between the seventh and eighth centuries BC. Meanwhile, the first attested version of Greek, Mycenaean Greek, emerged around 1450 BCE, about 700 years prior to The Odyssey’s emergence. Today, contemporary Greek boasts around 13.5 million native speakers, a remarkable feat after nearly 3,500 years of existence. Quite an impressive linguistic legacy!
Han Ethnic Chinese:
_image source: quora.com
In the present era, China is home to two major languages, widely known as “Chinese” by those beyond the region. Notably, both Mandarin and Cantonese boast relatively recent origins, with Cantonese emerging approximately in 220 AD, while Mandarin gained prominence during the 1300s AD.
Centuries ago, the Chinese population utilized a distinct language known as Han ethnic Chinese, dating back to around 1250 BC. It is essential to consider that the spoken form of Han ethnic Chinese likely has an even earlier history than the provided date, given that the evidence primarily relies on ancient written records, allowing for the possibility of an even more ancient oral tradition.
The rich linguistic heritage of China continues to be a subject of fascination for researchers and enthusiasts alike. It is one of the oldest languages in the world.
Hebrew:
_image source: Wikipedia
Hebrew is a Semitic language predominantly spoken in the Northwestern region and is classified as one of the Afroasiatic languages by anthropologists. Historically, it has been utilized as one of the languages spoken by the Israelites, and its usage persists among their longest-surviving descendants, namely the Samaritans and Jews.
Being the official language of Israel, Hebrew holds significant importance in the region. Surprisingly, after World War I, Palestinians also embraced Hebrew as their official language.
For the Jewish population, Hebrew has profound religious significance, primarily because it was the language employed to write the Old Testament. Its origins date back to approximately 1000 BC. Despite experiencing periods of disappearance, Hebrew underwent a revival by the Israelites, ensuring its continuity and ongoing usage in contemporary times.
Aramaic:
_image source: Wikipedia
Around 900 BC, the Aramaeans introduced Aramaic, which gained popularity by 700 BC, spreading across cultures. It supplanted Akkadian by 600 BC and was adopted by the Achaemenian Persians (559-330 BC). The language’s wide acceptance resulted from extensive trade networks, with Aramaic serving as the official language of the Middle East, connecting diverse communities.
Latin:
_image source : superprof
In ancient times, Latin held a significant position as the official language of the extensive Roman Empire and played a crucial role in religious contexts, a tradition that still endures within the Roman Church.
Having emerged around 700 BC, Latin belongs to the Indo-European language family, sharing its heritage with Italian, French, Romanian, Spanish, Portuguese, and even English.
Interestingly, the original speakers of Latin were known as Romans, their name hailing from Romulus, the language’s founder. This linguistic legacy has left a profound impact on historical developments and continues to influence diverse aspects of culture and linguistic expression.
Persian:
_image source : utoronto
Around 525 BC, in ancient Iran, Persian, also known as Farsi, made its appearance. This language evolved through three distinct stages: Old, Middle, and Modern Persia.
The inception of Persian is credited to the Old Persians (525 BC to 300 BC), who meticulously recorded it on the Behistun inscriptions. These inscriptions, now situated in Kermanshah City, Iran, hold significant value as they have been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is one of the oldest languages in the world.
Around 500 BC, the Kermanshah inscriptions, believed to be authored by King Darius mentioned in the Old Testament of the Bible, showcased their multilingual nature, encompassing Elamite, Old Persian, and Babylonian languages. This further exemplifies the rich linguistic and historical tapestry of ancient Persia.
FAQS:
What are some of the oldest languages?
- Sumerian
- Egyptian
- Tamil
- Sanskrit
- Greek
Which is the 10th oldest language in the world?
- Persian.
Who found Sanskrit?
- Pāṇini.
What are the 2 toughest languages in India?
- Malayalam and
- Telugu
What is the oldest Tamil book?
- Tholkappiyam.
Who is the mother of all languages?
- Sanskrit.
Is Sanskrit a dead language?
- Yes.
Conclusion:
The following list comprises the top 10 oldest languages in the world. Languages truly are a remarkable and invaluable gift to humanity. Through oral, written, or sign language, we can effectively communicate our thoughts and emotions.
Sometimes, even without uttering a word, our eyes face, and body language conveys everything. Our physical reactions and mental responses in various situations also play a crucial role in expressing our innermost feelings and sentiments.
see also: Top 10 Software Programming Languages
