Classical Language

Classical Language Status Criteria:

• The recognition of a classical language is based on criteria established by a Linguistic Experts Committee.
• According to the committee, the following revised benchmarks must be met for a language to be considered "classical":
  • High antiquity of (its) early texts/recorded history over a period of 1500- 2000 years.
  • A body of ancient literature/texts, which is considered a heritage by generations of speakers.
  • Knowledge texts, especially prose texts in addition to poetry, epigraphical and inscriptional evidence.
  • The Classical Languages and literature could be distinct from its current form or could be discontinuous with later forms of its offshoots.
• Other Recognised Classical Languages are: Tamil ( 2004), Sanskrit (2005), Telugu( 2008), Kannada (2008), Malayalam( 2013) and Odia (2014).

Benefits of Classical Language Status

• Once a language is designated as classical, the Ministry of Education provides various benefits to promote it, including:
  • Two major international awardsannually for scholars of eminence in the language.
  • Establishment of a Centre of Excellence for Studiesin the Classical Language.
  • Requesting the University Grants Commission (UGC)to create Professional Chairs in Central Universities dedicated to the classical language.