JOURNAL OF CRITICAL REVIEWS ISSN- 2394-5125 VOL 7, ISSUE 19, 2020 STANDARDIZATION OF SPOKEN TAMIL, A DIGLOSSIC LANGUAGE FOR TAMIL DIASPORA Paramasivam Muthusamy1, Rajantheran Muniandy2, N.Nadaraja Pillai3, Silllalee S.Kandasamy4, Sivapalan Govindasamy5 1The author is a Professor in the Department of Foreign Languages, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia. 2Professor, Department of Indian Studies, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, University of Malay, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 3Lecturer Central Institute of Indian Languages (Rtd), Mysore, India. 4Assistant Professor, Department of Modern Languages, Faculty of Creative Industries, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Sungai Long Campus, Bandar Sungai Long, Cheras 43000, Kajang, Selangor 5The author is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Indian Studies, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. E-mail: [email protected], [email protected], nadarajapillai@rediffmail3 . [email protected], [email protected] ABSTRACT: Tamil is one of the oldest languages and classical languages of the world. Because of its long history of 2500 or more years of continuous existence with an unbroken chain of language of the mass for communication, it has got diversified varieties, namely, a standard spoken and a written variety or a prestigious variety, with many idiosyncratic uses of the min designated fields. Hence, Tamil is considered as a diglossia language. Diglossia refers to a situation where two language varieties occur at the same time. The Tamil diaspora, on the other hand, is a very strong and vibrant community whose presence has been found in at least 188 countries all over the world. Migration to these countries was in wave after wave in different periods, of which two dominant waves of migration were during the later Chola period and the period of English and French colonization. The Tamil diaspora, though separated by great distances, live with a life-force of oneness and togetherness along with the language and cultural features. They are deeply rooted in a common unique ancient heritage, possessing a glorious culture and distinguished language. The language use is in differentt stages, from language loss to renowned development of literature. In this context, there is a need for a common standard spoken variety to be suggested for better development of the language and communication as well. This article aims at bringing in a common standardized spoken form so that communicability and comprehensibility is maintained, which will help in the production of literature also throughout the diaspora. Since the spoken variety has crept into the educational system, standardization is inevitable. Therefore, this research has an important role to play to set a model for other languages. KEYWORDS: Tamil Diaspora, spoken Tamil, diglossic language, Phonological changes . Morphological changes I. INTRODUCTION Tamil Language Tamil is one of the oldest languages and classical languages of the world. Because of its long history of 2500 or more years of continuous existence with an unbroken chain of heritage of culture and language of written literature and the language of mass for communication, it has got diversified varieties, namely, a written variety or a prestigious variety, a standard spoken and with many idiosyncratic uses of them in designated fields. The conspicuous originality in its literary traditions and the easy access to the various texts are all unique to the Tamil Language. However, the written and spoken varieties have not changed a lot at least for a period of 1500 years (Shanmugom, 2011). Grammar like Tholkapiyam; ecological literatures like Sangam classics dealing with nature, love, valour, etc.; ethical literature like Thirukkural; outstanding epics like Silappathikaram, Manimekalai, etc., the literary wealth of the classical period and the devotional songs such as Thevaram, Thiruvaasagam, Nalayiradivya prabadam, etc., of the middle period ending 900 A.D. have contributed a lot to the development of the language and its literature (Pakkiyamary, 2008). Tamil also has a very long writing tradition with „Tamizhi‟ as the script from sixth century B, C. onwards, which is proved by the recent excavation in Keeladi, near Madurai in Tamil Nadu (Department of 40 JOURNAL OF CRITICAL REVIEWS ISSN- 2394-5125 VOL 7, ISSUE 19, 2020 Archaeology, 2019). Writing provides a way of extending human memory by imprinting information in the human brain as quickly as possible. In past centuries, scientists had used writing as one of the "markers" of civilization (Tiroumale Chetty, 1999). It is true that writing systems appear to develop in agricultural and urban cultures, but by no means is it a requirement for civilization. With a long history of literature and spoken tradition, it is but natural that varieties happen to occur in the language in due course, especially in the modern period. Tamil Diaspora Substantial number of people from many parts of the world have migrated to other countries or continents for a variety of reasons. Among these, some of them had the desire to rule over other regions to establish an extended empire, political or religious pursuit, intension to protect the business communities, the trading possibilities, forced migration of people under colonial power seeking indentured labour, a wish for a better life with improved employment, and increased prosperity, etc. Among them, Tamils form part of this migration in an unrestricted way (Asher, 2014). The Tamil diaspora is a very strong and vibrant community whose presence has been in Asia, Greece, Rome and Europe from the very early days of history, when the Tamil people developed commercial ties with various countries all over the world and these have been attested in Sangam Tamil literatures. The Tamils who had a glorious past as seafarers ventured boldly across the world (Daniel Jeyaraj, 2014) since they believed in the philosophy of the Sangam poet, Kaniyan PuungunRanaar‟s „yaadum uuree yaavarum keelir‟ „Every country is mine and all citizens are my kinsmen‟ (PuranaanuuRu, 192). Their civilizational heritage remains engrained in them despite settling in many countries of the world. Their connection with their trade with the western and eastern worlds has been documented from the pre-Christian era (Nadaraja Pillai, 2018). This early commercial trade, followed by the travel of Buddhist monks, Saivite and Vaishnavite saints to East and South-east Asia, the trade and religious domination during the Pallavas, and then the conquering of Southeast Asian countries by the mighty „later Chola‟ kings of Tamilnadu, etc., resulted in early Tamil settlements in various countries (NadarajaPillai, 2018 & Sarma, 2014). Migrations of the above type changed into contract and indentured labour migrations, in far off western countries and islands during the early colonial periods of British and the French, which especially, materialized after the abolition of slavery in the British Empire in 1834 (Kadrivel Sornum, 2016). In due course, this changed into the migration of professionals and other working groups in search of job opportunities, as well as refugees and asylum seekers owing to political and social pressures. This phenomenon, which continued over centuries on a small scale, has in the recent past resulted in mass migration with a common identity on a global level. The two countries where the Tamils are of the natives and continue using Tamil in the day-to-day communication are Tamil Nadu, India with 90% of the population and Sri Lanka, where 25% of the population speak Tamil as mother tongue (Jeevendran Chemen, 2012). Significant Tamil populations are found over a wide range of continents: 1. Asia: Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, China, Myanmar (Burma) Vietnam, Cambodia, etc. 2. Africa: South Africa, Mauritius, Réunion, etc. 3. America: Canada, United States, Guyana, etc. 4. Caribbean: The Bahamas, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Trinidad, etc. 5. Australia and New Zealand. 6. Europe: United Kingdom, Germany, France, Switzerland, Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, etc. 7. Indian Ocean: Seychelles, etc. 8. Pacific: Fiji, Philippines, Indonesia and 9. The Middle East: United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, etc. Out of these countries, Malaysia, Singapore, Mauritius, South Africa, Australia, Canada are some of the countries where Tamil is recognized officially in one-way or the other (Sarma, 2014). 41 JOURNAL OF CRITICAL REVIEWS ISSN- 2394-5125 VOL 7, ISSUE 19, 2020 The rich Tamil culture and spirit of oneness is a solidarity endowed with dynamism and growth, consolidated struggle, and continuous suffering. This solidarity has assumed a purpose and direction by the aspiration of a people for the future in which they and their progenies may live in equality and freedom in an emerging one-world society. The era of digital revolution has strengthened the bonds of the Tamil diaspora, developed new cultural, economic, and political togetherness, and deep-rooted kinship ties. In the era of Internet, diasporic groups started to communicate about their homeland, their national identity, their ethnic, social, cultural, linguistic identity, etc., regardless of the time and distance. The Tamil Diaspora‟s passion and love for their language and culture is fast growing and recognized as an international force. Language and culture are two facets of the same identity (Arokianathan, 2012). There are, currently estimated to be, at least one-hundred million Tamil people spread across distant seas, living in more than