The Evolution of Malayalam

The evolution of Malayalam Language, various theories and conclusion

The Family

Malayalam belongs to the South Dravidian branch of the Dravidian language family, which includes languages such as Kannada, Tamil, Tulu, and Kodagu. Malayalam, along with 21 closely related languages, forms the Malayalam language subgroup. This subgroup is part of the larger Tamil-Malayalam subgroup, which includes nine languages, including Tamil. Collectively, these languages are known as the Tamil-Malayalam languages.

South Dravidian Languages

Various theories associated with the origin of Malayalam

There are 5 main theories associated with the origin and evolution of Malayalam language of which two are obsolete. However, since this is an elaborate description about the evolution of Malayalam, they are also included in the discussion.

The Sanskrit Origin Theory

Proponents of this theory believe that Malayalam originated from Sanskrit

Independent Origin Theory

Scholars suggest that Malayalam evolved directly from Proto-Dravidian

Tamil Offshoot Theory

Proponents of this theory suggest that Malayalam is an offshoot of Tamil

Mixed Language Theory

Scholars argue that Malayalam is a mix of a Tamil variant and Sanskrit

Proto-Tamil-Malayalam

Scholars suggest that both Malayalam and Tamil evolved from a common pre-language known as Proto-Tamil-Malayalam

Conclusion

A plausible conclusion