General Awareness ยท Civics Polity

Indian and Sri Lankan Languages

3,062 Questions

Indian and Sri Lankan languages cover various linguistic families, regional dialects, and official state languages. A significant focus is placed on Dravidian languages and their distinctive scripts. Strengthen your general awareness of regional language distribution for upcoming tests.

Dravidian language familyOfficial state languagesRegional Indian dialectsSri Lankan languagesLinguistic communities

Indian and Sri Lankan Languages Questions

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a sacred language in India?

  1. Sanskrit

  2. Hindi

  3. Tamil

  4. English
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Sanskrit is considered a sacred language in India, particularly in Hinduism, and is often used in religious ceremonies and texts.

Multiple choice

Which Indian language is predominantly used in Jainism?

  1. Prakrit

  2. Sanskrit

  3. Tamil

  4. Kannada
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Prakrit, particularly Ardhamagadhi Prakrit, is the primary language used in Jain scriptures and religious texts.

Multiple choice

Which Indian language is associated with the Dravidian language family?

  1. Tamil

  2. Hindi

  3. Sanskrit

  4. Marathi
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken primarily in southern India and is not related to the Indo-Aryan languages like Hindi and Sanskrit.

Multiple choice

Which Indian language is primarily used in the Rigveda, one of the oldest Hindu scriptures?

  1. Sanskrit

  2. Hindi

  3. Tamil

  4. Bengali
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Rigveda, a collection of ancient hymns, is composed in Sanskrit, which was the primary language of Vedic literature.

Multiple choice

Which Indian language is closely associated with the Bhakti movement?

  1. Hindi

  2. Tamil

  3. Telugu

  4. Marathi
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Bhakti movement, emphasizing devotion and love for the divine, is often associated with the use of Hindi, particularly in the works of poets like Kabir and Mirabai.

Multiple choice

The East Indian state of West Bengal is home to which language?

  1. Marathi

  2. Telugu

  3. Kannada

  4. Bengali
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Bengali, the official language of West Bengal, is the second most spoken East Indian language.

Multiple choice

Which East Indian language is closely related to Sanskrit?

  1. Odia

  2. Assamese

  3. Maithili

  4. Bhojpuri
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Odia, spoken in the state of Odisha, shares a close linguistic relationship with Sanskrit.

Multiple choice

The Oriya script is used to write which East Indian language?

  1. Marathi

  2. Telugu

  3. Kannada

  4. Odia
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Oriya, spoken in the state of Odisha, is written using the Oriya script, which is distinct from other East Indian scripts.

Multiple choice

Which East Indian language is known for its rich vocabulary of agricultural terms?

  1. Marathi

  2. Telugu

  3. Kannada

  4. Maithili
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Maithili, spoken in Bihar, is known for its extensive vocabulary related to agriculture and rural life.

Multiple choice

Which East Indian language is closely related to Nepali?

  1. Marathi

  2. Telugu

  3. Kannada

  4. Sikkimese
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Sikkimese, spoken in the state of Sikkim, is closely related to Nepali and shares many linguistic features.

Multiple choice

Which foreign language is the most widely spoken in India?

  1. English

  2. French

  3. Spanish

  4. Portuguese
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

English is the most widely spoken foreign language in India.

Multiple choice

Which foreign language is spoken by the largest number of people in the state of Puducherry?

  1. English

  2. French

  3. Spanish

  4. Tamil
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

French is spoken by the largest number of people in the state of Puducherry.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a traditional Indian language?

  1. Hindi

  2. English

  3. Tamil

  4. Telugu
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
Correct answer
Explanation

Hindi, English, Tamil, and Telugu are all traditional Indian languages. They are spoken by people of all ages and backgrounds.

Multiple choice

What is the origin of the Pali language?

  1. Sanskrit

  2. Prakrit

  3. Magadhi

  4. Tamil
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Pali originated from Magadhi, a Prakrit language spoken in ancient India during the time of the Buddha.

Multiple choice

Which language is the official language of Sri Lanka?

  1. Sinhala

  2. Tamil

  3. English

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Sinhala, Tamil, and English are all official languages of Sri Lanka.