Kannada language

Kannada

Pronunciation
Native to
Region	Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Maharashtra
Ethnicity
Speakers	43 million
Language family	Dravidian
Early forms
Writing system
Official status
Regulated by

Kannada (ಕನ್ನಡ) is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by the people of Karnataka in the southwestern region of India. It is one of the oldest languages of India, with its history spanning over 2000 years. The language has a rich literary heritage and holds the status of a classical language in India.

History

Kannada has a rich history that dates back to the early centuries of the common era. The earliest known Kannada inscriptions date to around the 5th century. The language has evolved over the centuries and has a significant body of literature that includes prose, poetry, and philosophical works.

Geographical distribution

Kannada is primarily spoken in the state of Karnataka, where it is the official language. It is also spoken in neighboring states such as Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and Maharashtra. Kannada speakers are also found in significant numbers overseas, particularly in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia.

Dialects

There are several dialects of Kannada, including Coastal Kannada, Southern Kannada, Central Kannada, and Northern Kannada. Each dialect has its own unique characteristics and variations in pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar.

Phonology

Kannada has a rich phonetic system that includes both vowels and consonants. The language has five short vowels, five long vowels, and two diphthongs. The consonantal system includes voiced and voiceless sounds, nasals, and approximants.

Grammar

Kannada grammar is structured around gender, number, and tense. The language uses postpositions rather than prepositions. Verbs are inflected for tense, mood, and voice.

Writing system

The Kannada script is an abugida of the Brahmic family, used primarily for writing Kannada and other languages such as Konkani and Tulu. It consists of 49 phonemic letters, divided into three groups: swaragalu (vowels), vyanjanagalu (consonants), and yogavaahakagalu (neither vowel nor consonant).

Literature

Kannada literature is one of the richest and oldest in India. It has a continuous literary history of over a thousand years and includes works in genres ranging from religious and philosophical to secular and contemporary. The earliest works were primarily religious and philosophical in nature, composed by Jain and Hindu scholars.

Cultural significance

Kannada plays a crucial role in the cultural fabric of Karnataka. It is celebrated annually on November 1st, known as Kannada Rajyotsava, marking the formation of the state of Karnataka. Kannada has also been influential in the fields of art, music, and film in the region.

See also

• Kannada literature
• Kannada cinema
• Languages of India