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Indian and Sri Lankan Languages

2,991 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 these languages belongs to the Austroasiatic language family?

  1. Santali

  2. Hindi

  3. Telugu

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

Santali is an Austroasiatic language spoken by the Santal people, primarily in the states of Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Odisha.

Multiple choice

Which of these languages is spoken in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands?

  1. Nicobarese

  2. Hindi

  3. Tamil

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

Nicobarese is an Austroasiatic language spoken by the Nicobarese people, indigenous to the Nicobar Islands.

Multiple choice

What is the primary language of Indian films that are popular among diaspora audiences?

  1. Hindi

  2. Tamil

  3. Telugu

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

Hindi is the primary language of Indian films that are popular among diaspora audiences, as it is the most widely spoken language in India and has a large base of speakers globally.

Multiple choice

Which Union Territory has Tamil as its sole official language?

  1. Puducherry

  2. Tamil Nadu

  3. Andhra Pradesh

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

Puducherry is the only Union Territory in India where Tamil is the sole official language.

Multiple choice

Which Union Territory has Telugu as its sole official language?

  1. Andhra Pradesh

  2. Telangana

  3. Karnataka

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

Andhra Pradesh is the only Union Territory in India where Telugu is the sole official language.

Multiple choice

Which language is the official language of Sri Lanka?

  1. Sinhala

  2. Tamil

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

Sinhala is the official language of Sri Lanka, spoken by the majority of the population.

Multiple choice

Which language is spoken by the Tamil minority in Sri Lanka?

  1. Sinhala

  2. Tamil

  3. English
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Tamil is spoken by the Tamil minority in Sri Lanka, primarily in the northern and eastern parts of the country.

Multiple choice

Which language is used as the lingua franca in Sri Lanka?

  1. Sinhala

  2. Tamil

  3. English
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

English is used as the lingua franca in Sri Lanka, due to its historical role as the language of administration and education.

Multiple choice

Which language is spoken by the Muslim community in Sri Lanka?

  1. Sinhala

  2. Tamil

  3. Arabic
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Arabic is spoken by the Muslim community in Sri Lanka, particularly those of Arab descent.

Multiple choice

Which language is spoken by the Burgher community in Sri Lanka?

  1. Sinhala

  2. Tamil

  3. Dutch
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Dutch is spoken by the Burgher community in Sri Lanka, descendants of Dutch colonists.

Multiple choice

Which language is spoken by the Malay community in Sri Lanka?

  1. Sinhala

  2. Tamil

  3. Malay
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Malay is spoken by the Malay community in Sri Lanka, descendants of Malay traders and settlers.

Multiple choice

Which language is spoken by the Vedda community in Sri Lanka?

  1. Sinhala

  2. Tamil

  3. Vedda
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Vedda is spoken by the Vedda community in Sri Lanka, an indigenous people group.

Multiple choice

Which language is spoken by the Batticaloa Moors in Sri Lanka?

  1. Sinhala

  2. Tamil

  3. Sinhala-Tamil
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Sinhala-Tamil is spoken by the Batticaloa Moors in Sri Lanka, a unique blend of Sinhala and Tamil.

Multiple choice

Which language is spoken by the Jaffna Tamils in Sri Lanka?

  1. Sinhala

  2. Tamil

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

Jaffna Tamil is spoken by the Jaffna Tamils in Sri Lanka, a distinct dialect of Tamil.

Multiple choice

Which language is spoken by the Up-Country Tamils in Sri Lanka?

  1. Sinhala

  2. Tamil

  3. Up-Country Tamil
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Up-Country Tamil is spoken by the Up-Country Tamils in Sri Lanka, descendants of Tamil laborers brought to the country during British rule.