Table of Contents
What language did they speak in Sri Lanka?
Sinhala
The 13th Amendment in 1987 to Article 18 of the 1978 Constitution stated that “the official language of Sri Lanka is Sinhala” while “Tamil shall also be an official language,” with English as a “link language.” While this recognized both Sinhala and Tamil as official languages, the wording was still contentious, as …
What are the top 3 languages spoken in Sri Lanka?
What Languages Are Spoken In Sri Lanka?
| Rank | Categories Of Language | Language |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Official languages | Sinhalese, Tamil |
| 2 | Main foreign languages | English |
| 3 | Sign languages | Multiple Sign Languages |
What is the language of Sri Lanka Sinhala?
Sinhalese language, also spelled Singhalese or Cingalese, also called Sinhala, Indo-Aryan language, one of the two official languages of Sri Lanka. It was taken there by colonists from northern India about the 5th century bc.
When did Tamil became an official language in Sri Lanka?
In August 1958 The Tamil Language (Special Provisions) Act was passed, providing for the use of Tamil for certain administrative purposes and as a medium of instruction in secondary and higher education, a measure that temporarily mollified but did not satisfy either the Tamils or the more extremist Sinhalese.
Why is Sinhala the official language of Sri Lanka?
Sinhala and Tamil are the national languages of Sri Lanka, according to Chapter IV of the 1978 constitution — which was amended in 1987 to give Tamil the status of an official language that was denied nine years earlier — and English was declared the link language. Sinhala and Tamil are genetically unrelated languages.
Who speaks Tamil in Sri Lanka?
The Tamil language is spoken by Sri Lankan Tamils, as well as by Tamil migrants from the neighboring Indian state of Tamil Nadu and by most Sri Lankan Moors. Tamil speakers number around 4.7 million.
Are there any creole languages in Sri Lanka?
Today, however, its use is mainly oral and has been declining as younger Sri Lankan Malays have begun relying on Sinhalese, Tamil, and English for communication. Another creole language spoken in Sri Lanka is Sri Lankan Portuguese Creole, spoken by only 30 of the 3,400 people of Portuguese descent.
What language do the Veddah people speak?
The Veddah people, totaling barely 2,500 in 2002, speaks the Veddah language, of which the origin is debated. The Tamil language is spoken by Sri Lankan Tamils, as well as by Tamil migrants from the neighboring Indian state of Tamil Nadu and by most Sri Lankan Moors. Tamil speakers number around 4.7 million.