General Awareness ยท Civics Polity

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 language is spoken by the majority of the population in the state of Kerala?

  1. Malayalam

  2. Tamil

  3. Kannada

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

Malayalam is the official language of Kerala and is spoken by over 90% of the population.

Multiple choice

Which ancient Indian text is known for its extensive use of the Prakrit language?

  1. Rigveda

  2. Mahabharata

  3. Arthashastra

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

Sangam Literature, a collection of ancient Tamil poetry, is renowned for its extensive use of the Prakrit language, providing valuable insights into the linguistic diversity of ancient India.

Multiple choice

What is the relationship between Sanskrit and the regional languages of ancient India?

  1. Sanskrit was the parent language of all regional languages

  2. Sanskrit was a liturgical language used in religious texts

  3. Sanskrit was the language of the ruling class

  4. Sanskrit was the language of trade and commerce
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Sanskrit, a classical language of ancient India, served as the parent language from which many regional languages evolved, contributing to the linguistic diversity of the subcontinent.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a language belonging to the Nicobarese family?

  1. Hindi

  2. Bengali

  3. Tamil

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

Nicobarese is a language spoken in the Nicobar Islands of India and belongs to the Nicobarese family of languages.

Multiple choice

How many languages are there in the Nicobarese family?

  1. 2

  2. 3

  3. 4

  4. 5
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

There are two languages in the Nicobarese family: Car Nicobarese and Chowra.

Multiple choice

What is the main language spoken in Lakshadweep?

  1. Hindi

  2. English

  3. Malayalam

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

The primary language spoken in Lakshadweep is Lakshadweep Creole, a dialect of Malayalam.

Multiple choice

What is the importance of preserving the Lao script?

  1. It is a part of Lao culture

  2. It is a valuable historical resource

  3. It is a unique writing system

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

The Lao script is a part of Lao culture, a valuable historical resource, and a unique writing system. It is important to preserve the script for future generations.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a challenge faced by endangered languages in India?

  1. Lack of government support

  2. Negative attitudes towards the language

  3. Migration of speakers to urban areas

  4. Increasing use of English in education and media
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Increasing use of English in education and media is not a challenge faced by endangered languages in India.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a challenge faced by endangered languages in India?

  1. Lack of government support

  2. Negative attitudes towards the language

  3. Migration of speakers to urban areas

  4. Increasing use of English in education and media
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Increasing use of English in education and media is not a challenge faced by endangered languages in India.

Multiple choice

In ancient India, which language was primarily used for mathematical discourse and scholarly communication?

  1. Sanskrit

  2. Prakrit

  3. Tamil

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

Sanskrit was the dominant language for mathematical discourse in ancient India, serving as a medium for recording mathematical knowledge and facilitating scholarly communication.

Multiple choice

Which language is the second most widely spoken language in India?

  1. English

  2. Bengali

  3. Telugu

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

Bengali is the second most widely spoken language in India.

Multiple choice

Which language is the third most widely spoken language in India?

  1. Telugu

  2. Marathi

  3. Tamil

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

Telugu is the third most widely spoken language in India.

Multiple choice

Which language is the fourth most widely spoken language in India?

  1. Marathi

  2. Tamil

  3. Gujarati

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

Marathi is the fourth most widely spoken language in India.

Multiple choice

Which language is the fifth most widely spoken language in India?

  1. Tamil

  2. Gujarati

  3. Kannada

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

Tamil is the fifth most widely spoken language in India.

Multiple choice

Which language is the sixth most widely spoken language in India?

  1. Gujarati

  2. Kannada

  3. Malayalam

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

Gujarati is the sixth most widely spoken language in India.