What is the Difference Between Tamil and Telugu?

Tamil and Telugu are two distinct South Indian languages, both belonging to the Dravidian family of languages. They have several differences in terms of vocabulary, grammar, and scripts. Some of the key differences are:

1. Vocabulary: Telugu has been heavily influenced by Sanskrit, with an estimated 80% of its vocabulary words coming from Sanskrit. In contrast, Tamil has been more resistant to Sanskrit influence, retaining a larger proportion of words derived from its native Dravidian roots.
2. Grammar: Telugu grammar is deeply influenced by Sanskrit, while Tamil has its own grammar that is not dependent on Sanskrit.
3. Script: The scripts of the two languages also differ. Tamil has one special character (aytam) and a set of 12 vowels and 18 consonants. Telugu, on the other hand, has 41 consonants, 16 vowels, and three vowel modifiers.
4. Influences: Tamil has adopted words from various languages, including Malay, Munda, Greek, Chinese, Urdu, Persian, Marathi, and Arabic. Telugu has also adopted words from Persian, Arabic, and Turkish due to historical influences.

Despite these differences, both languages have a rich cultural heritage and share some similarities in vocabulary and structure.

Comparative Table: Tamil vs Telugu

Tamil and Telugu are two Dravidian languages spoken in the southern part of India, specifically in the states of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, respectively. Here is a table highlighting the differences between the two languages:

Despite their differences, Tamil and Telugu share similarities as both belong to the Dravidian family of languages and have a significant number of speakers in the southern part of India.