A Landmark in Tamil Linguistic Research
Tamil Nadu Launches Etymological Dictionary Project Linking Tamil and Indo-European Languages: In a major boost to linguistic scholarship, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu released a general introduction book and the first volume of a comparative etymological dictionary tracing connections between Tamil and Indo-European languages. This initiative is the first of its kind in India, and is a collaboration between the Tamil Nadu Textbook and Educational Services Corporation and Oxford University Press. It forms part of a 12-volume research project aimed at uncovering historical word origins.
Government Support and Academic Leadership
The State government has sanctioned ₹8 crore for this ambitious linguistic project, which has been in progress since 2022. The research is being carried out by a team of 20 language experts led by Professor G. Arasenthiran, a distinguished scholar in Tamil linguistics. The project signifies Tamil Nadu’s continued commitment to the preservation and global academic recognition of the Tamil language.
Exploring Tamil’s Historical Influence
The first volume of the dictionary offers comparative analysis of 19 words found in both Western Indo-European languages like Latin, Greek, French, English, and German, and Eastern Indo-European languages such as Sanskrit, Pali, and Sinhalese. Based on scholarly hypotheses, it suggests that some of these words may have originated from ancient Tamil, indicating deep historical interactions among language families.
Future Volumes and Global Significance
The 12-volume series aims to establish systematic links between Tamil and other global languages, opening new avenues for cross-cultural linguistic studies. It could reshape how language origins are viewed and position Tamil as one of the foundational languages in global linguistic evolution. Future volumes will expand on phonetic evolution, root similarities, and cultural linkages embedded in vocabulary.
STATIC GK SNAPSHOT
Tamil Nadu Launches Etymological Dictionary Project Linking Tamil and Indo-European Languages:
| Topic | Details |
| Initiative Name | Comparative Etymological Dictionary of Tamil and Indo-European Languages |
| Launched By | Tamil Nadu Chief Minister |
| Collaboration | Tamil Nadu Textbook Corporation & Oxford University Press |
| Project Leader | Professor G. Arasenthiran |
| Year of Commencement | 2022 |
| Total Volumes Planned | 12 volumes |
| Government Sanctioned Amount | ₹8 crore |
| Languages Compared | Tamil, Latin, Greek, German, French, English, Sanskrit, Pali, Sinhalese |
| Volume 1 Focus | Etymology of 19 words across Indo-European and Tamil |
| Academic Significance | First such comparative study linking Tamil with global languages |
