Tulu Language
The Tulu language is a Dravidian language primarily spoken in the region of Tulu Nadu in Southern India. It is the native language of the Tulu people, who are also known as Tuluvas. This language, though not recognized officially at the national level, has a rich tradition of oral literature and a vibrant culture associated with it.
Usage and Script
Tulu is written in the Tigalari script, which is a Southern Brahmic script. This script was historically used for writing Vedic texts in Sanskrit and is also employed in Kannada. However, today, Tulu is more commonly written in the Kannada script due to its widespread use in the Karnataka region.
Cultural Influence
Tulu has a significant impact on the cultural fabric of Tulu Nadu, including its influence on Tulu cinema, which has produced numerous films in the language. The Tulu film industry is a thriving part of the regional entertainment sector, with movies being produced that reflect the stories and culture of the Tulu people.
Tulu-Bohuai Language
The Tulu-Bohuai language shares its name with Tulu but is distinctively different, being a West Manus language. It is spoken by approximately 1400 people in Manus Province, Papua New Guinea, particularly on central Manus Island and Peli Island. The Tulu-Bohuai language is part of the Austronesian language family, differentiating it significantly from the Dravidian Tulu language.
Sociolinguistic Aspects
While the Tulu language in India continues to thrive as part of its regional identity and cultural practices, the Tulu-Bohuai language in Papua New Guinea represents a smaller linguistic community with unique cultural ties to its native speakers. This juxtaposition presents an intriguing case of how language can develop and persist within different cultural and geographical contexts.
Connection to Other Languages
Tulu is often grouped with other South Dravidian languages such as Tamil and Malayalam, which share historical roots and linguistic characteristics. However, Tulu-Bohuai, with its distinct classification, aligns more closely with languages such as Nyindrou and Sori-Harengan of the Manus group.