Oldest languages in the World: Language is more than just a tool for communication; it is a living record of human history, culture, and civilization. While many ancient languages have disappeared over time, a select few have survived for thousands of years and are still spoken or studied today. These languages offer a fascinating glimpse into the societies that shaped them and continue to influence modern culture, philosophy, and literature.
For instance, Tamil, widely regarded as the oldest living language, has a continuous literary tradition dating back over 5,000 years. A study published in the Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research highlights Tamil’s rich heritage and its role in preserving ancient culture. Similarly, Sanskrit, an ancient Indo-Aryan language, has been in continuous scholarly and religious use for over 5,000 years, influencing many modern languages in the Indian subcontinent according to Britannica. Mandarin Chinese, with over 3,000 years of written history, has played a central role in East Asian culture. A study by Yuliang Liu et al. traces the evolution of Chinese characters from oracle bone inscriptions during the Shang Dynasty, providing direct evidence of the language’s long-standing development
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List of Top 10 Oldest Languages in the World (Still Spoken)
Here is the list of the top 10 oldest languages in the world that are still spoken, along with the country and region of their origin, and their estimated age:
| 1 | Tamil | India, Sri Lanka, Singapore | 5,000+ years |
| 2 | Sanskrit | India | 5,000+ years |
| 3 | Greek | Greece, Cyprus | 3,000+ years |
| 4 | Chinese (Mandarin) | China, Taiwan, Singapore | 3,000+ years |
| 5 | Hebrew | Israel | 3,000+ years |
| 6 | Arabic | Middle East, North Africa | 1,500+ years |
| 7 | Aramaic | Middle East (small communities) | 3,000 years |
| 8 | Persian (Farsi) | Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan | 2,500+ years |
| 9 | Latin | Vatican, academic/religious institutions | 2,700 years |
| 10 | Japanese | Japan | 2,000+ years |
10 oldest languages that are still spoken all around the world
Tamil – Over 5,000 years old
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken mainly in Tamil Nadu, India, and northern Sri Lanka. It has a rich literary history, including classical poetry, religious texts, and philosophical works. Its resilience lies in its continuous use in daily conversation, literature, and media. The Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research highlights Tamil’s deep cultural roots and its role in preserving ancient traditions. Today, over 75 million people speak Tamil worldwide, keeping this ancient language alive and thriving.
Sanskrit – Over 5,000 years old
Sanskrit, often called the “mother of Indian languages,” has been used extensively in religious rituals, classical literature, and scholarly texts. Britannica notes that Sanskrit has been continuously studied for over 5,000 years and has influenced many modern Indian languages, according to Britannica. Although, it’s not being widely spoken today, it is still taught in schools, used in Hindu ceremonies, and continues to shape Indian linguistic heritage.
Greek – Over 3,000 years old
Greek is a language of immense historical importance, with its earliest written form, Linear B, dating to 1450–1350 BCE. Today, Modern Greek, spoken by more than 13 million people, carries forward this ancient legacy while adapting to contemporary use. It has deeply shaped Western philosophy, science, and literature.
Chinese (Mandarin) – Over 3,000 years old
Mandarin Chinese has a written history spanning more than 3,000 years. Early inscriptions on oracle bones from the Shang dynasty provide some of the earliest evidence of written language in human history. The study by Yuliang Liu et al. details the evolution of oracle bone characters and highlights their importance in understanding Chinese language development. Today, Mandarin is the most spoken language in the world, with over a billion speakers, and it remains central to Chinese culture and identity.
Hebrew – Over 3,000 years old
Hebrew is an ancient Semitic language primarily associated with Jewish religious texts. After nearly disappearing as a spoken language, it was revived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and is now spoken by over 9 million people in Israel, maintaining its unique connection to cultural and religious identity.
Arabic – Over 1,500 years old
Arabic, the language of the Quran, has been spoken for over 1,500 years. Beyond religious use, Arabic has a rich tradition in science, literature, and philosophy. Today, it is spoken across the Middle East and North Africa by hundreds of millions of people.
Aramaic – Over 3,000 years old
Aramaic was widely spoken in the Near East and is famously known as the language of Jesus Christ. Though endangered today, small communities in Syria, Iraq, and Turkey still speak various dialects, preserving a unique historical and cultural heritage.
Persian (Farsi) – Over 2,500 years old
Persian, also known as Farsi, has been spoken for over 2,500 years. It has a literary legacy that includes poets like Rumi and Hafez. Today, it is spoken in Iran, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan, bridging cultures and histories across the region.
Latin – Over 2,700 years old
Latin, the tongue of the Roman Empire, retains significant influence today. Though no longer a native language, it persists in Vatican proceedings, legal terms, medical fields, and scientific naming. Many modern European languages, such as French, Spanish, and Italian, trace their roots to Latin.
Japanese – Over 2,000 years old
Japanese combines kanji (Chinese characters) with kana scripts (hiragana and katakana). With over 120 million speakers today, Japanese preserves ancient traditions while evolving to accommodate modern communication.
These languages are living connections to human history, demonstrating the resilience and richness of human expression.
Their survival underscores the importance of preserving cultural heritage while appreciating the linguistic diversity that continues to inspire the modern world even in contemporary times, reminding us that language is not only a tool of communication but also a timeless bridge between the past, present, and future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the two ancient language in the world?
Determining the two oldest languages of the world is a difficult task, as many ancient languages have evolved and changed over time. However, linguists and historians generally agree that the oldest languages in the world are those that have been spoken for thousands of years and have a rich literary tradition. Some of the oldest languages in the world include Sanskrit, Tamil, Hebrew, Chinese, and Sumerian.
What is the oldest language?
The oldest language of the world is difficult to determine definitively, as many ancient languages have evolved and changed over time, and there is often limited written evidence to establish their age. However, some of the oldest languages in the world include Sanskrit, Tamil, Hebrew, Chinese, and Sumerian, with written records dating back several thousand years.
Is Tamil or Sanskrit older?
Sanskrit and Tamil are both ancient languages having with old histories and with rich of literary traditions. Sanskrit is a classical language of India and is considered one of the oldest languages of the world, with written records dating back to the second millennium BCE. Tamil, on the other hand, is a Dravidian language spoken in southern India and Sri Lanka, with a literary tradition that dates back over 2,000 years.
Published by: Murali Malalur
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