Classical Language Status : In News
The Central Government recently decided to tweak the criteria for giving classical language status.
- The current criteria evolved by the government to determine the declaration of a language as a classical language are
- It should have high antiquity in its early texts/recorded history over a period of 1,500-2,000 years.
- A body of ancient literature or texts that is considered a valuable heritage by generations of speakers.
- The literary tradition should be original and not borrowed from another speech community.
- The said language and literature should be distinct from its modern format; there may also be a discontinuity between the classical language and its later forms or its offshoots.
- Once a language is notified as a classical language, the Education Ministry provides certain benefits to promote it, which include two major annual international awards for scholars of eminence in the said languages.
- Apart from this, a centre of excellence for studies in the classical language is set up, and the University Grants Commission is requested to create a certain number of Professional Chairs in Central universities for the languages that get the classical tag.
