Official and Most Spoken Language: Malayalam
Kerala is a linguistically diverse state, with multiple languages spoken by its residents. The official language of the state is Malayalam, which is also the most widely spoken language. Malayalam, belonging to the Dravidian language family, has a rich literary tradition and is used in daily communication, education, and administration. It is also spoken in the Union Territories of Lakshadweep and Puducherry, as well as by diaspora communities abroad.
Other Regional Languages: Tamil, Tulu, Konkani, Kannada, and Hindi
In addition to Malayalam, Tamil is widely spoken in the southern districts of Kerala, especially in areas bordering Tamil Nadu. The proximity to Tamil Nadu has led to a significant Tamil-speaking population in regions such as Idukki, Kanyakumari, and Kottayam. Tamil, also a Dravidian language, shares many linguistic similarities with Malayalam but retains distinct phonetic and syntactic features.
Hindi is another language commonly used in Kerala, especially in urban areas and for communication with people from other parts of India. Hindi has gained prominence due to its role as a national language and is taught in schools as a second language.
Tulu is spoken by a small community in the northernmost part of Kerala, particularly in the Kasargod district. It belongs to the Dravidian family and is distinct from Malayalam and Kannada, although there are similarities in vocabulary and grammar.
Konkani is spoken by the Konkani-speaking community, particularly in the coastal areas of the state. It has roots in the Indo-Aryan language family and shares cultural and linguistic features with Marathi.
Kannada is spoken by some people in the border regions of Kerala and Karnataka. While not as widely spoken as Malayalam or Tamil, Kannada has a presence in districts like Wayanad and Kannur, where cross-border exchanges have influenced local speech.
English in Kerala
Finally, English is extensively used for official and educational purposes, and is widely understood by the educated population in Kerala.
