A classical language has its own literary tradition as well as a substantial and ancient corpus of written literature. Classical languages are often dead languages, or display a high degree of diglossia, as spoken dialects diverge from the classical written language through time. This article will explain to you the Status of Classical Language which will be helpful in Indian Art and Culture preparation for the UPSC Civil service exam.

Classical Language

• The concept of classicism originated in Europe.
• The standards for classifying a language as 'Classical' are listed below, according to information provided by the Ministry of Culture in the Rajya Sabha in February 2014.
• Sanskrit was recognised as a Classical Language of India in 2005, shortly after Tamil. These two languages are definitely parental origins for a number of Indo-European and Dravidian language families.
• Kannada and Telugu were given classical language designation by the government in 2008.
• Malayalam was designated as a classical language in 2013, and Odia was designated as a classical language in 2014.
• Six Classical Languages are:
  • Tamil in the year 2004
  • Telugu in the year 2008
  • Malayalam in the year 2013
  • Sanskrit in the year 2005
  • Kannada in the year 2008
  • Odia in the year 2014

Classical Language - Criteria

To assess whether a language is eligible for designation as a "Classical Language," the following criteria were established:

• Its early texts/recorded history are extremely old, spanning a period of 1500–2000 years.
• A corpus of ancient literature/texts that has been regarded as a valued legacy by successive generations of speakers.
• The literary heritage must be unique and not acquired from another language group.
• The classical language and literature are unique from modern language and literature, there may be a break between classical language and its later forms or offshoots.

Classical Language - Benefits

According to the Government of India's decree, a language designated as a "Classical Language" shall receive the following benefits:

• Two major worldwide awards for eminent Classical Indian Languages academics will be given out each year.
• A 'Centre of Excellence for Classical Language Studies' will be established.
• The University Grants Commission will be asked to establish, at least in the Central Universities, a number of Professional Chairs in Classical Languages for eminent researchers in Classical Indian Languages.

Conclusion

Classical languages in India are recognized as having independent literature and ancient traditions. They consist of a variety of modifications over the years that diverged over centuries. Languages of this period constitute the golden period of literature.

FAQs

MCQs

1. Which of the following languages was the first to be declared a classical language in India?

A) Telugu
B) Kannada
C) Tamil
D) Sanskrit

2. Which Ministry is responsible for granting the status of classical language in India?

A) Ministry of Culture
B) Ministry of Education
C) Ministry of Home Affairs
D) Ministry of External Affairs

3. What is the main criterion for a language to be declared classical in India?

A) Use in religious rituals
B) Ancient origins and a rich body of literature
C) Wide usage across India
D) Official recognition by all states

4. How many languages are officially recognized as classical languages in India as of 2021?

A) 4
B) 5
C) 6
D) 7

5. What benefit does a classical language receive from the government of India?

A) Financial support for language promotion
B) Development of new scripts
C) Political recognition
D) None of the above

GS Mains Questions 

Q1: Discuss the significance of declaring a language as a classical language in India. How does it help preserve linguistic heritage?

Answer: Declaring a language as classical ensures its preservation through financial grants, research, and educational programs. It helps safeguard the language’s heritage, fosters academic research, and encourages linguistic diversity. This recognition provides a platform to protect and promote the language’s classical texts and cultural significance, enabling future generations to access and contribute to its legacy.

Q2: Critically analyze the process and criteria for a language being designated as classical in India. What challenges may arise in the future?

Answer: The criteria for classical language designation, including ancient roots, rich literature, and unique grammatical structure, are beneficial but can be subjective. This may lead to disputes, particularly regarding the representation of smaller languages or dialects. Additionally, the evolving status of languages due to socio-political changes may present challenges in maintaining a balanced and inclusive language policy in the future.

Q3: What role do classical languages play in India’s cultural and academic landscape? Examine their impact on national integration.

Answer: Classical languages represent a significant part of India’s cultural diversity and provide insight into its ancient history. By promoting the study and use of these languages, India fosters a sense of pride in its heritage and helps bridge cultural gaps. Classical languages have contributed to national integration by highlighting the shared traditions and values across regional languages and cultures.

Previous Year Questions on Status of Classical Language

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2020:

Question: Which of the following was the first language to be declared classical in India?

A) Sanskrit
B) Kannada
C) Tamil
D) Telugu

Answer: (C)

Explanation: Tamil was the first language to be declared classical in India in 2004, recognizing its rich ancient heritage and significant literary contributions.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2019:

Question: Discuss the significance of the inclusion of classical languages in India’s linguistic policy. How does it contribute to the preservation of linguistic diversity?

Answer: The recognition of classical languages ensures their preservation through research and funding. It contributes to the safeguarding of India’s linguistic diversity by promoting languages with ancient heritage and scholarly importance, ensuring their continuity for future generations.