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 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.

Multiple choice

Which language is spoken by the Sri Lankan Malays in Sri Lanka?

  1. Sinhala

  2. Tamil

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

Sri Lankan Malay is spoken by the Sri Lankan Malays, descendants of Malay traders and settlers.

Multiple choice

Which language is spoken by the Sri Lankan Chettiars in Sri Lanka?

  1. Sinhala

  2. Tamil

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

Chettiar is spoken by the Sri Lankan Chettiars, a Tamil-speaking community from South India.

Multiple choice

Which language is spoken by the Sri Lankan Bohras in Sri Lanka?

  1. Sinhala

  2. Tamil

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

Bohra is spoken by the Sri Lankan Bohras, a Muslim community from Gujarat, India.

Multiple choice

Which language is spoken by the Sri Lankan Memons in Sri Lanka?

  1. Sinhala

  2. Tamil

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

Memoni is spoken by the Sri Lankan Memons, a Muslim community from Kutch, India.

Multiple choice

Which language is spoken by the Sri Lankan Parsis in Sri Lanka?

  1. Sinhala

  2. Tamil

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

Parsi is spoken by the Sri Lankan Parsis, a Zoroastrian community from Persia.