The Oldest Languages and Scripts: A Comprehensive Analysis

Introduction

To begin with, it is important to explore the claim that Tamil is the oldest language in the world. Although Tamil has a rich history and ancient texts dating back to the 3rd Century BC, it is not the oldest language. This article delves into the three most logical candidates for the title of oldest languages, dissecting their historical backgrounds and linguistic features.

The Oldest Known Language: Sumerian

Among the languages that have withstood the test of time, Sumerian stands out as a candidate for the title of the oldest known language. The earliest texts in Sumerian date back to around 3200 BC, predating even the emergence of the Indus Valley Civilization. This ancient language was a language isolate, meaning it is not related to any other living language. Despite its lack of direct relation to living languages, Sumerian remained an essential part of written literature for more than 2000 years, leaving a vast corpus of over 3 million words.

Evidence from Clay Tablets

A clay tablet, detailing texts in proto-cuneiform script, provides us with a glimpse of how Sumerian was written around 3200 BC. These tablets, found in Uruk, offer invaluable insights into the early Sumerian culture and its language. Understanding the intricacies of this ancient script has been crucial for deciphering Sumerian literature and the societal structures of Mesopotamia.

The Oldest Language Still in Use: Egyptian

A colorful spectrum of languages, the Egyptian language holds the position of the oldest language that is still in use. The earliest Egyptian texts date back to around the same period as Sumerian, but modern scholars believe that Sumerian may have started writing earlier. Egyptian is part of the Afro-Asiatic language family, sharing a familial bond with languages like Arabic and Hebrew. The Coptic script, the youngest form of this ancient language, continues to be employed as a liturgical language in the Coptic Church. Although the spoken version of Coptic ceased around the 18th Century AD, the language is still cherished for its religious and historical significance.

Examples of Coptic Literature

A modern Bible in Coptic with supplementary explanations in Arabic serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of this ancient language. The existence of such texts highlights the continued relevance and study of Coptic language and ensures its place in the annals of linguistic history.

The Oldest Spoken Language: Greek

In the realm of spoken languages, Greek garners significant attention as one of the oldest. The earliest surviving texts in an Archaic form of Greek were discovered on Crete, inscribed in a script known as Linear B and dated to the 16th Century BC. Despite the so-called 'dark centuries' between the 12th and 8th Centuries BC, Greek re-emerged as a written language in the 8th Century BC, thriving under authors like Homer and Hesiod. This early form of Greek evolved into the modern Greek script still in use today. Although Greek has undergone significant changes over time, it remains a testament to the continuity of language and culture.

Significance of Greek Texts

The Athens Airport, with its historical references, symbolizes the enduring presence of Greek in contemporary contexts. Even though Greeks from the era of Homer didn't have airplanes, trains, or buses, their ability to read ancient texts underscores the resilience and adaptability of the Greek language.

A Personal Expertise

Having studied Sumerian, Egyptian, Coptic, Ancient Greek, and New Greek, I consider myself an expert in ancient languages. My extensive research on these languages and scripts underscores the importance of understanding their unique characteristics and historical significance.

Additional Insights: The Indus Valley Civilisation

In conclusion, while Tamil is undoubtedly an ancient language with deep roots, it does not claim the title of the oldest language in the world. Similarly, the Indus Valley Civilisation script remains a mystery, with no definitive deciphering despite extensive research. The debate over the Indus script's nature highlights the ongoing challenges and mysteries in deciphering ancient languages and scripts.

Examples of Indus Valley Script

A tablet with signs in the 'Indus script' adds to the intrigue around this ancient civilization. Until substantive evidence is unveiled, the Indus script will continue to remain one of the unsolved puzzles in the history of early writing systems.

Understanding these ancient languages and scripts not only provides insight into the cultural and historical context of early societies but also highlights the importance of ongoing research and collaboration in the field of linguistics.