00) High antiquity of its early texts/recorded history over a period of 1500-2000 years.
01) A body of ancient literature/texts, which is considered a valuable heritage by generations of speakers.
10) The literary tradition be original and not borrowed from another speech community.
11) The classical language and literature being distinct from modern, there may also be a discontinuity between the classical language and its later forms or its offshoots.
01) A body of ancient literature/texts, which is considered a valuable heritage by generations of speakers.
10) The literary tradition be original and not borrowed from another speech community.
11) The classical language and literature being distinct from modern, there may also be a discontinuity between the classical language and its later forms or its offshoots.
And the languages that are matching these criteria are: Kannada, Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu. I have intentionally listed these lexicographic, not chronological, for obvious reasons :-P). In some places its mentioned that pali & prakrit are also classical, but I am not sure how true it is, and I doubt anyone will make it an issue, since its hardly spoken these days.
I am glad that I have got a chance to learn tamil & sanskrit, anyways, I don't remember any of its literature stuffs. Definitely both these classical languages have played an important role in my life, particularly in academics. And also now I see a reason why should I learn kannada & watch telugu movies ;-)..
I am going crazy now by imagining few robots arguing/fighting for classical status for C, C++ etc in 5000 CE, period.
1 comment:
binary buthi unna vitu pogavay pogaathu pola.... 1 2 3 nu pota kireedam vilunthudumaa.... makka, thala ganguly pathi oru post eluthuda... classic pathi pesara thaguthi jp and srinath thavira yaarukum kedayathu ;)
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