Sinhalese vs. Tamil — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 23, 2023
Sinhalese is an Indo-Aryan language spoken primarily by the Sinhalese people of Sri Lanka, while Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken by Tamils in India, Sri Lanka, and other countries.
Difference Between Sinhalese and Tamil
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Sinhalese and Tamil are distinct languages, each representing different linguistic families and cultural backgrounds. Sinhalese belongs to the Indo-Aryan language family, which is part of the broader Indo-European group. Its origins trace back to the migrants from Northern India who settled in Sri Lanka.
Tamil, on the other hand, is a member of the Dravidian language family. This group of languages has ancient roots in the southern part of the Indian subcontinent. Historically, Tamil has been spoken in what is now the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, as well as northern and eastern Sri Lanka.
When examining the script, Sinhalese and Tamil have their own unique alphabets. Sinhalese uses the Sinhala script, which is rounded in appearance. Tamil employs the Tamil script, which is more angular. Both scripts are alphasyllabaries, meaning they have characters for syllables, not just individual sounds.
In terms of geographical distribution, Sinhalese is predominantly spoken by the Sinhalese people, the majority ethnic group in Sri Lanka. Tamil is spoken by the Tamil community in northern and eastern Sri Lanka, the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, and by Tamil diaspora communities worldwide.
From a cultural perspective, Sinhalese and Tamil have rich traditions tied to their respective linguistic groups. Each language has its own literature, music, dance, and art forms that have evolved over millennia, reflecting the deep cultural heritage of their speakers.
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Comparison Chart
Language Family
Indo-Aryan
Dravidian
Origin
Migrants from Northern India to Sri Lanka
Ancient southern part of Indian subcontinent
Script Appearance
Rounded characters
Angular characters
Primary Geographical Distribution
Predominantly in Sri Lanka
Tamil Nadu (India), Northern and Eastern Sri Lanka, diaspora worldwide
Literature
Has its own unique Sinhalese literature
Rich Tamil literary tradition dating back over two millennia
Compare with Definitions
Sinhalese
Represented by a rounded script.
The Sinhalese alphabet is distinctive with its circular shapes.
Tamil
Has ancient roots in the southern part of India.
Tamil has been spoken for over two millennia in South India.
Sinhalese
Rooted in the migrations from Northern India.
Sinhalese evolved from the languages spoken by early settlers from Northern India.
Tamil
A Dravidian language spoken in India and Sri Lanka.
Tamil literature is one of the oldest in the world.
Sinhalese
Not only a language but also an ethnic identity.
The Sinhalese celebrate their New Year in April.
Tamil
The language of the Tamil ethnic group.
The Tamil community is known for its rich cultural heritage.
Sinhalese
An Indo-Aryan language of Sri Lanka.
The majority of people in Sri Lanka speak Sinhalese.
Tamil
Also represents a global diaspora.
Tamil is spoken by communities in places like Singapore, Malaysia, and Canada.
Sinhalese
The language of the majority ethnic group in Sri Lanka.
The Sinhalese have a rich history and culture in Sri Lanka.
Tamil
Characterized by an angular script.
The Tamil script is used in both written literature and everyday communication.
Sinhalese
A member of a people constituting the majority of the population of Sri Lanka.
Tamil
A member of a Dravidian people of southern India and northern Sri Lanka.
Sinhalese
The Indic language of the Sinhalese that is the chief language of Sri Lanka.
Tamil
The Dravidian language of the Tamil.
Sinhalese
Of or relating to Sri Lanka, the Sinhalese, or their language or culture.
Tamil
Of or relating to the Tamil or their language or culture.
Sinhalese
A native or inhabitant of Sri Lanka
Tamil
Of or pertaining to the Tamils, or to their language.
Sinhalese
The Indic language spoken by the people of Sri Lanka
Tamil
One of a Dravidian race of men native of Northern Ceylon and Southern India.
Sinhalese
Of or relating to the Sinhalese languages;
The Sinhalese verions of the Ramayana
Tamil
A member of the mixed Dravidian and Caucasoid people of southern India and Sri Lanka
Sinhalese
Of or relating to the Sinhalese people;
Sinhalese rebels fighting the Tamils
Tamil
The Dravidian language spoken since prehistoric times by the Tamil people in southern India and Sri Lanka
Tamil
Of or relating to a speaker of the Tamil language or the language itself;
The Tamil Tigers are fighting the Sinhalese in Sri Lanka
Tamil agglutinative phrases
Common Curiosities
Are there many loanwords between Sinhalese and Tamil due to proximity?
Yes, due to historical interactions, there are loanwords between the languages.
Are Sinhalese and Tamil scripts similar?
No, Sinhalese script is rounded, while Tamil script is angular.
Is Tamil spoken outside of Sri Lanka?
Yes, in Tamil Nadu (India) and by Tamil diaspora communities worldwide.
How different are the grammatical structures of Sinhalese and Tamil?
Given their different language families, they have distinct grammatical structures.
Do Sinhalese and Tamil originate from the same language family?
No, Sinhalese is Indo-Aryan, and Tamil is Dravidian.
Where is Sinhalese primarily spoken?
It's predominantly spoken in Sri Lanka.
Which language is older, Sinhalese or Tamil?
Both languages are ancient, but Tamil literature dates back over two millennia, making it one of the world's oldest languages.
Is the Sinhalese script similar to any Indian languages?
Sinhalese script is unique but, like many South Asian scripts, it evolved from the ancient Brahmi script.
Are both Sinhalese and Tamil taught in schools in Sri Lanka?
Yes, depending on the region and the medium of instruction, both languages are taught.
Are there any shared linguistic features between Sinhalese and Tamil due to geographic closeness?
There might be some shared features due to contact, but they largely retain their unique linguistic characteristics.
Do Sinhalese and Tamil have their own unique literatures?
Yes, each language boasts a rich literary tradition.
Do Sinhalese and Tamil share cultural festivities?
While there might be some shared celebrations, each has unique cultural festivities tied to their linguistic group.
Which is more widely spoken globally, Sinhalese or Tamil?
Tamil, due to a larger global diaspora and a significant population in Tamil Nadu.
Are there significant populations of Tamil speakers in the Sinhalese-majority areas of Sri Lanka and vice versa?
While there are communities of Tamils in Sinhalese-majority areas and vice versa, the populations are more concentrated in their respective majority areas.
Do Sinhalese and Tamil movies have a significant presence in Sri Lanka?
Yes, both Sinhalese and Tamil films have their own industries and audiences in Sri Lanka.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
