One of the oldest languages on the planet, Telugu has a distinctive origin. It served as the epicenter of political agitation that resulted in the establishment of linguistic states in India. It is also a part of a new trend in translation services and the fastest-growing language in the US.
Telugu is the largest language in the Dravidian language family.
It is the official language of the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, which are situated north of the present-day city of Chennai (formerly Madras), and is primarily spoken in south-eastern India.
How many people speak Telugu in Andhra Pradesh?
Currently, 75 million people speak this language both in India and other countries. It is the 3rd most spoken Indian language overall, behind Hindi and Bengali.
State Language of Andhra Pradesh
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Some of the earliest languages ever spoken are thought to be the Dravidian languages. In particular, Tamil, one of Telugu's "cousin" languages, is thought to have existed about 5,000 years ago.
Although Telugu has been used in poetry and literature since the eleventh century, the earliest known written works in this language come from 575 CE. Being a phonetic language, Telugu's spelling corresponds to the sounds that are spoken when speaking the language.
Since every letter in Telugu is equivalent to a sound in speech, learning Telugu is not as difficult as learning English. Its open word order and basic grammar also facilitate the formation of new sentences by the learner by removing the necessity for them to adhere to a strict sentence structure.
Surprisingly, there is a feminist Telugu art form in a historically patriarchal country. It is the Ramayana songs' oral legacy. The Ramayana is a historic Indian epic poem that has been passed down orally and in writing through many generations.
It tells the story of King Rama's life, emphasizing his achievements and good works. However, the conventional narrative does not apply to the Brahmin women of the Telugu-speaking areas. Rather, they "translate" the epic into a story about Rama's wife Sita. In a genuinely feminist rendering, Sita, not her husband, is the main character in the Ramayana.
Telugu Language Day is celebrated every year on 29 August, the birthday of Telugu poet Gidugu Venkata Ramamurthy
Origin and Evolution of the Telugu Language
Telugu is a member of the Dravidian language family.
From Baluchistan to Sri Lanka, it is the most extensively spoken language in South Asia. It is known that the language descended from Proto-Dravidian. In the past, it was also called "Tenugu," and throughout the Middle Ages, it adopted the name "Andhra." Many contend that Telugu originated from `Trilinga,' or the three lingas. Because of its beautiful qualities, some of the language's supporters also refer to it as the "Italian of the East."
With Sanskrit having such a strong influence on the language throughout time, some of its expressions were assumed to be Telugu words. A few Tamil and Kannada terms were also incorporated into Telugu, although they were not very well-liked. Many terms from Arabic and Persian entered the Telugu language with the advent of Muslim authority. Coastal Andhra's vocabulary also contains a large number of English words because the area was directly ruled by the British for about a century.
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Over time, a few Tamil and Kannada terms were also incorporated into Telugu, but they were not very well-liked. Telugu has preserved several distinctive Sanskrit elements that have been lost in other of Sanskrit's offspring languages, such as Hindi and Bengali, particularly in the pronunciation of some vowels and consonants. Telugu is an agglutinative language, meaning that words are formed and grammatical functions are expressed by successively adding suffixes to roots. Telugu, like all other agglutinative languages, employs postpositions in place of prepositions.
The Telugu language has a long history, with one of its earliest words, "nāgabu", being discovered on a granite pillar in the Amaravati Stupa dating back to the 2nd century BCE. This word is believed to be the name of a stonemason and has been crucial in the study of the Indus script.
Personal and place names with Telugu roots have been found in Sanskrit and Prakrit inscriptions from the 2nd and 1st centuries BCE, as well as in later inscriptions from the 1st to 5th centuries CE.
Telugu words have also been identified in the coin legends of the Satavahana dynasty, Vishnukundina dynasty, and Andhra Ikshvakus, indicating the language's ancient presence.
According to Telugu tradition, the Sage Kanva was the language's first grammarian, and it is believed that he wrote a lost ancient Telugu Grammar consisting of twenty grammatical aphorisms.
Geographic Distribution of Telugu Language
Telugu is the primary language spoken in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and the Yanam district of Puducherry.
Telugu speakers can also be found in neighboring states such as Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and the Kharagpur region of West Bengal in India. There are also Telugu immigrants in Gujarat, Goa, Bihar, Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan.
Telugu is the fourth most spoken native language in India, accounting for 7.2% of the population, following Hindi, Bengali, and Marathi.
In Karnataka, 7.0% of the population speaks Telugu, while in Tamil Nadu it is 5.6%. In the United States, there are over 400,000 Telugu Americans, and Telugu is the fastest-growing language in the country, especially in New Jersey and New York City, with a notable 86% increase in Telugu speakers between 2010 and 2017.
Minority Telugu communities can also be found in Australia, New Zealand, Bahrain, Canada, Fiji, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Mauritius, Myanmar, Europe (Italy, the United Kingdom), South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United Arab Emirates.
6.7% of India's Population
Writing Telugu
Telugu is a syllabic alphabet, meaning that every consonant has a vowel by nature. Diacritics denote a shift to a different vowel or suppression of the inherent vowel and can appear above, below, before, or after the consonant. The Brahmi script served as the model for the script. Telugu letters have forms that are similar to Kannada letters. They have circular curves because writing was done on palm leaves using a sharp point in the past. The leaves would have been ripped by sharp angles. Writing in Telugu is done from left to right.
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Telugu Dialects
While there are numerous regional dialects in Telugu, the written form is rather standard. Telugu was written in an antiquated manner that was extremely different from the spoken language till the 20th century.
A new writing standard based on the spoken language of today arose in the second part of the 20th century. Instead of using the word "Mu," the ancient Telugu speakers would use the word "Bu." The Prathamaa Vibhakti's letters—Du, Mu, Vu, and Lu—were utilized frequently and repeatedly.
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Berad, Dasari, Dommara, Golari, Kamathi, Komtao, Konda-Reddi, Salewari, Telangana, Warangal, Mahaboobnagar (Palamuru), Gadwal (Rayalaseema mix), Narayanapeta (influence of Kannada and Marathi), Vijayawada, Vadaga, Srikakulam, Visakhapatnam, Toorpu (East) Godavari, Paschima (West) Godavari, Kandula, Rayalaseema, Nellore, Prakasam, Gunturu, Tirupati, Vadari, and Yanadi (Yenadi) are the 27 notable dialects of Telugu.
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Telugu Literature
Telugu was greatly impacted by Prakrit and Sanskrit. Telugu adopted several Sanskrit traits that have since been lost in Sanskrit's offspring languages, including Bengali and Hindi, particularly in the way certain vowels and consonants are pronounced.
The alphabet used to write Telugu is Brahmic. Telugu, also known as "Ajanta Bhaasha," is the only language in India where every word ends in a vowel. As a result, the majority of Carnatic music compositions are in Telugu.
Telugu Vocabulary
Telugu is thought to be the most Sanskritized of the Dravidian languages, with a fundamental vocabulary derived from Dravidian culture. Furthermore, a sizable portion of Telugu's vocabulary has Sanskrit and Prakrit roots. It is a language whose vocabulary is heavily influenced by Sanskrit (Indo-Aryan) and Dravidian, two of the best language families in India.
Over time, several Sanskrit phrases borrowed into Telugu became so commonplace that people thought they were original Telugu. Although several Tamil and Kannada words were also borrowed into Telugu, they did not acquire much traction.
When it comes to the formal, standardized form of the language taught in schools, utilized by the government, and included in Hindu religious rituals, it is thought to be the most Sanskritized of the Dravidian languages.
Telugu Letters హల్లులు (Hallulu)
Culture Of Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh boasts a rich and diverse culture that reflects its history, traditions, and influences. Here are some aspects:
- Language: Telugu is the primary language spoken in Andhra Pradesh. It's not just a language; it's a significant part of the state's identity.
- Art and Crafts: Kuchipudi, a classical dance form, originated in Andhra Pradesh. The state is also known for its intricate Kalamkari paintings, handloom textiles like Mangalagiri and Venkatagiri sarees, and exquisite metalwork.
- Festivals: Celebrations are vibrant and colorful. Ugadi (New Year), Sankranti, Dasara, and Vinayaka Chavithi are widely celebrated festivals. Pongal, celebrated as Bhogi in Andhra Pradesh, is a major harvest festival.
- Cultural Capital of Andhra Pradesh: Rajahmundry, situated in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, rests on the sacred banks of the river Godavari. It is renowned as the cultural hub of Andhra Pradesh and is brimming with historical, cultural, and traditional importance.
- Religious Heritage: The state is home to numerous temples, including Tirupati Balaji Temple, one of the richest and most visited religious sites globally.
- Literature: Andhra Pradesh has a rich literary history, with contributions from renowned poets and writers like Nannayya, Tikkana, and Yerrapragada.
- Music: Carnatic music has a strong presence here, and the state has produced many acclaimed musicians.
Traditional Food of Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh is well-known for its delectable food and breathtaking natural scenery.
The cuisine of Andhra Pradesh, also called Telugu cuisine, is famous for its spicy, flavorful, and tangy dishes, reflecting a rich culinary heritage. Being the leading producer of red chilies and rice globally, Andhra cuisine prominently features these ingredients in its dishes.
- Hyderabadi Biryani: Although associated with Hyderabad, this flavorful rice dish with aromatic spices, basmati rice, and marinated meat is widely enjoyed across Andhra Pradesh.
- Gongura Pachadi: A tangy chutney made from gongura leaves, tamarind, and spices, offering a unique taste that's typical of Andhra cuisine.
- Pulihora: A tamarind-based rice dish often prepared during festivals and special occasions, known for its tangy and spicy flavors.
- Pesarattu: A type of dosa made from green gram, usually served with ginger chutney, it's a popular breakfast option in Andhra Pradesh.
- Royyala Iguru: A spicy shrimp curry cooked with onions, tomatoes, and a blend of Andhra spices.
- Aratikaya Fry: Raw banana slices marinated in spices and shallow-fried, making for a delicious and crispy snack or side dish.
- Pootharekulu: A famous sweet from Andhra made with rice papers, sugar, and ghee, creating delicate layers of sweetness.
Tips on How to Learn Telugu
It's crucial to use a variety of resources when learning Telugu because no single source can cover all the material you'll need to become competent in the language. You can enhance your study and develop a more comprehensive grasp of Telugu by combining several study techniques, such as podcasts, language learning applications, online courses, YouTube videos, and textbooks.
Telugu Learning Apps
Telugu can be learned using creative and well-liked language apps. Numerous functions and a variety of learning techniques are offered by the apps. While some applications offer whole courses, others concentrate on particular language skills. Additionally, apps might include game-like elements that enhance the learning process. The top 3 Telugu learning apps are Ling App, Mango Languages, and 50Languages. These apps have high-quality content and are simple to use.
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Online Telugu Learning Courses
For many reasons, taking Telugu lessons online has become increasingly popular as one of the finest ways to learn the language. They use multimedia, virtual tools, and interactive activities to keep you interested and provide you with a dynamic learning experience. They can adjust to your learning demands and give scheduling flexibility and self-paced study options. Telugu can be effectively taught with the use of the excellent content and well-structured lesson plans available on Udemy, Audible, and Bhasha.io.
Telugu Teachers Online
One of the greatest ways to learn Telugu is to find a tutor who can teach you the language. Speaking with a native speaker can help you become more proficient in conversation and pronunciation. But depending on where you reside, it could be not easy to find someone who speaks Telugu. Fortunately, there are resources available to assist you in finding Telugu tutors online. Three reliable sites for Telugu instructor online classes are Italki, Preply, and Superprof.
Telugu Books
Telugu can be easily learned through books since you can dictate how quickly you study and refer to the material as often as you need to. Books also allow you to quickly flip between the lessons and topics that most interest you. Three publications that can assist you in learning the language are Learn Telugu in 30 Days Through English, English – Telugu Conversation Guide, and Spoken Telugu for Absolute Beginners. All three have received excellent reviews from readers.
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Telugu Podcasts
If you lead a busy lifestyle, learning Telugu through podcasts is a convenient approach. You can listen to the language while engaging in other activities thanks to podcasts. Three podcasts with native speakers—Learn Telugu, Samvedh Sagas, and Telugu Malika—offer a variety of content, including conversations, stories, and immersive language experiences.
Telugu Learning Tutorials on YouTube
One contemporary method of learning Telugu is to watch videos on YouTube. Because you can hear language being used by people in authentic settings, it's one of the best methods to improve your speaking and listening abilities. You can also learn the fundamentals of Telugu grammar, vocabulary, and colloquial expressions via many videos. Three YouTube channels that offer high-quality videos to assist you in learning the language are Dr. Deepa Gupta, PR Learning Lab, and Kiran Prabha.
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Article Sources
- Telugu Language - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telugu_language
- Census of India website - https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16.html
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Good info
Thanks for the info<3
How I can learn Telugu language?
Please help me learn Telugu language,
I know well telugu is a best language of the other 22 Indian languages, so, I want to learn Telugu 🙏🏻
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