Which is the oldest language in the world

General
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which is the oldest language in the world

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Which is the oldest language in the world?

Answer:
To determine the oldest language in the world, it’s important to consider a few key points: the origins of writing systems, historical contexts, and archaeological evidence. Here are some prominent languages often cited as among the oldest:

  1. Sumerian:

    • Historical Context: Sumerian is often considered the oldest written language due to its documented usage in ancient Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq). It dates back to at least 3000 BCE.
    • Writing System: The Sumerians developed one of the earliest known writing systems, called cuneiform. This system was used primarily for economic and administrative purposes initially.
    • Significance: Numerous tablets and artifacts bearing Sumerian inscriptions have been discovered, indicating its extensive use.

  2. Egyptian:

    • Historical Context: The Egyptian language, particularly its early form known as Old Egyptian, was used in Ancient Egypt around 3200 BCE.
    • Writing System: The ancient Egyptians used hieroglyphs, a complex system of pictorial writing.
    • Significance: Hieroglyphic inscriptions on monuments and tombs provide a wealth of information about early Egyptian civilization.

  3. Akkadian:

    • Historical Context: Akkadian is another ancient language from Mesopotamia, emerging around 2500 BCE.
    • Writing System: Like Sumerian, Akkadian used the cuneiform writing system but was a Semitic language, unlike the language isolate Sumerian.
    • Significance: Akkadian replaced Sumerian as the spoken language in Mesopotamia and was the language of many ancient texts, including the famous “Epic of Gilgamesh.”

  4. Tamil:

    • Historical Context: Tamil is one of the oldest living languages, continuously spoken and written for thousands of years. It is part of the Dravidian language family.
    • Writing System: The Tamil script, which evolved over time, has been used to write classical Tamil literature.
    • Significance: Tamil literature and inscriptions date back to around 500 BCE, making it a significant ancient language.

  5. Chinese:

    • Historical Context: The earliest form of the Chinese language, known as Old Chinese, dates back to the Shang dynasty (1600–1046 BCE).
    • Writing System: Early Chinese writing includes oracle bone script used for divination. These inscriptions represent the earliest known form of Chinese written language.
    • Significance: With a continuous history of written records, the Chinese language holds a unique place in the history of ancient languages.

Final Answer:
While it’s challenging to definitively declare one language as the oldest due to varying definitions and evidence, Sumerian and Egyptian are often cited as the oldest written languages based on archaeological and historical data. The oldest continuously spoken and living language is often considered to be Tamil.