Question

Q. The criteria adopted by the Government to determine the eligibility of a language for granting classical language status do not include which of the following?

• A. High antiquity
• B. A body of ancient literature
• C. Absence of discontinuity
• D. Original literary tradition

Answer 1

The correct option is C Absence of discontinuity

Explanation:

Six Indian languages i.e. Tamil, Sanskrit, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Odia have been accorded classical language status. The criteria adopted by the Government to determine the eligibility of a language for granting classical language status, are as under:

• High antiquity of its early texts/ recorded history over a period of 1500-2000 years;
• A body of ancient literature/ texts, which is considered a valuable heritage by generations of speakers;
• The literary tradition be original and not borrowed from another speech community;
• The classical language and literature being distinct from modern, there may also be a discontinuity between the classical language and its later forms or its offshoots.

Once a Classical language status is given, the Human Resource and Development Ministry provides the following benefits to promote it:

• Two major annual international awards for scholars of eminence in classical Indian languages.
• A Centre of Excellence for Studies in Classical Languages is set up.
• The University Grants Commission is requested to create, to start with at least in the Central Universities, a certain number of Professional Chairs for the Classical Languages so declared.