List of countries where Tamil is an official language
The following is a list of sovereign states and territories where Tamil is an official or language of government.
The Tamil language is one of the oldest living language of the earth and which gives birth to the new languages such as Malayalam in 15th Century and the one of the first language to be declare as the classical language of India. Tamil was one of the dominant language of trade during the pre-colonial era by people like Ainnurruvar and such as Tamil inscriptions and coins found on many parts of Asia and Africa such as on China, Cambodia, Egypt and Indonesia. [1]
During 18th Century, the British and French rules brought the Tamils to the many parts of Asia and Africa which makes many countries with significant Tamil speakers and cultural impact such as there are more than 1,000,000 speakers of Tamil language in the Malaysia itself.
Contents |
Sovereign states [change]
| Country | Region | Population1 |
|---|---|---|
 Singapore[2] |
Asia | 5,312,400 |
 Sri Lanka
|
Asia | 20,277,597 |
Dependent entities where Tamil is an official language [change]
| Nr. | Entity | Continent | Population | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Andaman and Nicobar Islands |
Asia | 379,944 | Union Territory of India | |
| Pondicherry |
Asia | 1,244,464 | Union Territory of India | |
| Tamil Nadu |
Asia | 72,138,958 | State of India |
Partially recognized and unrecognized states/territories [change]
| Country | Notes |
|---|---|
| Template:Country data Tamil Eelam (Eelam) | Claiming sovereignty over the North and Eastern Sri Lanka as the independent state of Tamil Eelam |
| Karaikal |
Claiming for separate union territory of India (not a separate country) |
| Kongu Nadu |
Claiming for separate state of India (not a separate country) |
Countries where Tamil is used and has cultural impact but not official [change]
| Country | Region |
|---|---|
 Malaysia
[4] |
Asia |
 Mauritius
[5] |
Africa |
 Réunion [6] |
Africa |
 Seychelles
[7] |
Africa |
There are also claims for to make Tamil as official language of India and UN.[8]
References [change]
- ↑ [archaeologyindia.com "Tamil Inscriptions"]. archaeologyindia. archaeologyindia.com. "Tamil Inscriptions of Egypt and Thailand"
- ↑ Wong, Aline (2000-11-24). "Education in a Multicultural Setting - The Singapore Experience". Ministry of Education, Government of Singapore. http://www.moe.gov.sg/media/speeches/2000/sp24112000_print.htm. Retrieved 2009-01-18. "There are four official languages: English, Chinese, Malay and Tamil."
- ↑ "Language Dept Sri Lanka". http://www.languagesdept.gov.lk/. "Tamil and Sinhala official language of Sri Lanka"
- ↑ "Malaysian Languages and education". http://umfacts.um.edu.my/researcherid/index.php?query=6&chartType=C.
- ↑ "Mauritius Culture". http://www.gov.mu/portal/goc/prb/report2013/pb/tamil.pdf.
- ↑ "Reunion Culture". http://www.reunionisland.fr/culture.html.
- ↑ "Seychelles National Culture". http://www.nation.sc/index.php?art=8258.
- ↑ "Make Tamil as Official Language". http://m.indianexpress.com/news/%22-make-tamil-an-official-language-%22/949043/.
3. http://india.gov.in/knowindia/state_uts.php?id=30
4. http://tourism.pondicherry.gov.in/faq.html
7. http://www.hindu.com/2007/09/30/stories/2007093061810800.htm
8. http://www.ytears.in/2012/06/indiaa-union-and-aspirant-states-of.html?m=1
