Irula language facts for kids

The Irula language (natively: ër̠la/ïr̠la) is a special Dravidian language. It is spoken by the Irulas, who are a group of people living in the beautiful Nilgiri Mountains in India. You can find Irula speakers mainly in the states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka.

This language is quite unique and has its own history. It is written using the Tamil script, which is also used for the Tamil language.

Quick facts for kids Irula
இருளா
Native to	India
Region	Nilgiri Mountains
Ethnicity	Irula
Native speakers	11,870  (2011 census) Census conflates some speakers with Tamil
Language family	Dravidian Southern Southern I Tamil–Kannada Tamil–Kota Tamil–Toda Tamil–Irula Irula–Muduga Irula
Dialects	Kasaba (north Irula), South Irula (Mele Nadu, Vette Kada), Urali Irula
Writing system	Tamil script
Irula is classified as Vulnerable according to the UNESCO Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger
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Discovering the Irula Language

The name "Irula" comes from the word iruḷ, which means "black," and -a/iga, meaning "people." So, the name basically means "black people" or "people of the dark," possibly referring to their traditional homes in forested areas.

Where Irula is Spoken

The Irula language is primarily spoken in the Nilgiri Mountains. These mountains are located in the southern part of India. The people who speak Irula, the Irulas, live in different areas across three Indian states: Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka.

How Irula Was Understood

For a long time, people weren't sure if Irula was a separate language or just a mix of other languages. However, a scholar named Kamil Zvelebil studied it carefully in 1955. He showed that Irula is indeed its own independent language.

He found that Irula is part of the Southern Dravidian language family. It shares many similarities with Tamil, especially an older form of Tamil. It also has some features that are similar to the Kannada language. This shows how languages can be connected and influence each other over time.

The Sounds of Irula

Every language has its own special sounds, and Irula is no different! It has a unique set of vowels and consonants that make up its words. These sounds are what give the Irula language its distinct character and allow its speakers to communicate.