Tamil vs. Sanskrit — What's the Difference?

The script in which the Tamil language is written.

The liturgical language of Hinduism.

Referring to the cinema produced in the Tamil language.

Symbolic of ancient Indian knowledge or scholarship.

A Dravidian language spoken predominantly in Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka.

An ancient Indo-European language of India.

Belonging to the Tamil people or culture.

Pertaining to the classical literature written in Sanskrit.

A member of a Dravidian people of southern India and northern Sri Lanka.

Referring to the academic study of the language and its grammar.

The Dravidian language of the Tamil.

Sanskrit (; attributively संस्कृत-, saṃskṛta-; nominally संस्कृतम्, saṃskṛtam, IPA: [ˈsɐ̃skr̩tɐm]) is a classical language of South Asia belonging to the Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European languages. It arose in South Asia after its predecessor languages had diffused there from the northwest in the late Bronze Age.

Of or relating to the Tamil or their language or culture.

An ancient Indic language that is the language of Hinduism and the Vedas and is the classical literary language of India.

Of or pertaining to the Tamils, or to their language.

The ancient language of the Hindoos, long since obsolete in vernacular use, but preserved to the present day as the literary and sacred dialect of India. It is nearly allied to the Persian, and to the principal languages of Europe, classical and modern, and by its more perfect preservation of the roots and forms of the primitive language from which they are all descended, is a most important assistance in determining their history and relations. Cf. Prakrit, and Veda.

One of a Dravidian race of men native of Northern Ceylon and Southern India.

Of or pertaining to Sanskrit; written in Sanskrit; as, a Sanskrit dictionary or inscription.

A member of the mixed Dravidian and Caucasoid people of southern India and Sri Lanka

(Hinduism) an ancient language of India (the language of the Vedas and of Hinduism); an official language of India although it is now used only for religious purposes

The Dravidian language spoken since prehistoric times by the Tamil people in southern India and Sri Lanka

Of or relating to a speaker of the Tamil language or the language itself;

Referring to classical or modern literature in the Tamil language.

Yes, Tamil has an ancient literary tradition, making it one of the world's oldest living languages.

Sanskrit is most commonly written in Devanagari but can be found in other scripts too.

Many North Indian languages have been influenced by Sanskrit, but not all Indian languages can trace their lineage directly to it.

While not commonly spoken as a daily language, Sanskrit is studied and used in religious and academic contexts.

It's called the Tamil script, derived from ancient Brahmi.

Yes, several North Indian languages have structural and lexical influences from Sanskrit.

No, Tamil is Dravidian and Sanskrit is Indo-European; they belong to different language families.

Some classics include the Vedas, Upanishads, Mahabharata, and Ramayana.

Absolutely, Tamil boasts a vast body of literature ranging from ancient poetry to modern prose.

No, it's also an official language in Sri Lanka and Singapore.

Yes, the Tamil film industry, often called Kollywood, produces many popular films each year.

Many yoga terms and chants are in Sanskrit.

Estimates suggest that over 70 million people speak Tamil globally.

It depends on one's dedication and resources, but many find Sanskrit grammar complex.

Both languages have ancient origins; exact dating can be challenging.