Classical Language

Classical Language Status Criteria:

• The recognition of a classical language is based on criteria established by a Linguistic Experts Committee.
• According to the committee, the following revised benchmarks must be met for a language to be considered “classical”:
  • High antiquity of (its) is early texts/recorded history over a period of 1500- 2000 years.
  • A body of ancient literature/texts, which is considered a heritage by generations of speakers.
  • Knowledge texts, especially prose texts in addition to poetry, epigraphical and inscriptional evidence.
  • The Classical Languages and literature could be distinct from its current form or could be discontinuous with later forms of its offshoots.
• Other Recognised Classical Languages are: Tamil ( 2004), Sanskrit (2005), Telugu( 2008), Kannada (2008), Malayalam( 2013) and Odia (2014).

Benefits of Classical Language Status

• Once a language is designated as classical, the Ministry of Education provides various benefits to promote it, including:
  • Two major international awards annually for scholars of eminence in the language.
  • Establishment of a Centre of Excellence for Studies in the Classical Language.
  • Requesting the University Grants Commission (UGC) to create Professional Chairs in Central Universities dedicated to the classical language.

Q1: What is the University Grants Commission of India?

It is a statutory body under the provisions of UGC Act, 1956. It is responsible for coordination, determination and maintenance of standards of higher education. It provides recognition to universities in India, and disburses funds to such recognized universities and colleges.

Source: Cabinet approves conferring status of Classical Language to Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese and Bengali languages

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