Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

A bit strange that Sinhala is classified as Indo-European rather than as Dravidian, as one might think from geography.


I initially found that strange too given that there is a distinct Sri Lankan Tamil dialect (Jaffna, Batticaloa versions etc) but it looks like Sinhala came in as an original Indo-Eurpoean language and mingled with surrounding languages to borrow some words etc. Here are some opinionated commentaries on that:

http://www.applet-magic.com/sinhaleselan.htm

http://www.island.lk/2003/11/05/featur02.html

Would love to see an authoritative source confirming these.


The sinhalese people of Sri Lanka are Indo-European, not dravidian. IIRC they came from Modern day Bengal.


But Sinhalese culture,food etc is closer to Dravidian.




Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: