So you’ve decided to conquer the captivating Tamil language, one of the world’s oldest surviving classical languages? Before you grab a warm cup of coffee and download Mondly, your go-to language-learning platform, here’s one thing you should know: There’s no Tamil on Mondly! How can a platform renowned for its wide variety of language courses overlook such an ancient and historically rich language? Let’s get to know more about that in this comprehensive review. Let’s begin!
Tamil – A Language With A Rich History
Tamil, one of the world’s oldest languages, traces its origins back more than two millennia. Tamil literature, known for its profound philosophical and aesthetic depth, stretches back to the 3rd century BC. This classical language, known for its elegance and intricacy, is spoken predominantly in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and the northeastern region of Sri Lanka.
This ancient language has not only survived through the ages but also thrived, standing strong as the first language of over 84 million people worldwide today. That’s more than the entire population of Germany and Thailand! And with a diaspora reaching every corner of the globe, from Canada to Malaysia, the influence of Tamil goes far beyond its home territories.
Tamil’s deep roots and historical significance have led UNESCO to classify it as a “classical language,” a title bestowed on languages that possess an ancient, independent tradition, rich literature, and unique cultural significance. Joining the ranks of Greek, Latin, and Sanskrit, Tamil holds an esteemed position in the world’s linguistic landscape.
Where Is Tamil Spoken?
While Tamil hails from the Indian subcontinent, it has spread its wings far beyond that region, making its presence known worldwide. Tamil Nadu, a state in southern India, is the heartland of the language. Travel a little further, and you’ll find the language thriving in the northeastern region of Sri Lanka, where Tamil is also an official language. But Tamil speakers aren’t just confined to these regions.
Tamil is also spoken by communities in Malaysia, Singapore, and Mauritius, making it a global language in its own right. More surprisingly, the Tamil diaspora extends to places as far-flung as the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and the United States. In fact, Tamil is recognized as a minority language in South Africa, and it’s also the first language of the Tamil community in Reunion, a small island located east of Madagascar. Talk about reach, right?
Is Tamil Difficult To Learn?
Let’s be real here. Any language that isn’t your native tongue comes with its own set of challenges, and Tamil is no exception. It’s no walk in the park, but it’s certainly not an unconquerable mountain either.
While Tamil might seem a little intimidating at first, especially if you’re used to Latin script, don’t let this discourage you! Tamil is a phonetic language, which means it is pronounced as it’s written. A little less guesswork, huh? Nice!
The trick to learning Tamil lies in approaching it methodically. Start with the alphabet, familiarize yourself with the different characters and their corresponding sounds. From there, build your vocabulary slowly and steadily, focusing on commonly used words and phrases.
Learning the script might seem like a Herculean task, but remember, even the longest journey begins with a single step. The Tamil script, once mastered, will open the door to a rich repository of literature and other written material.
Grammar? Yes, it’s complex. But no more so than other languages. If you’ve ever studied a language like German or Russian, the cases in Tamil grammar won’t seem so terrifying.
So, is Tamil difficult to learn? It might be, but it’s also a fun and rewarding journey. With patience, practice, and perseverance, you can definitely master it. It’s just a shame that Mondly doesn’t yet provide a roadmap for this fascinating linguistic journey.
Language Learning With Mondly App
Ladies and gents, allow me to introduce you to Mondly – a language-learning app that claims a user base of over 70 million worldwide. Now, that’s a big deal! Founded in 2014, Mondly has emerged as a popular player in the digital language learning space. The app touts itself as a one-stop solution for aspiring linguists and language enthusiasts.
From its user-friendly interface to its intriguing gamification of language learning, Mondly has indeed carved a unique identity for itself. Whether you’re a visual learner who loves color-coded grammar tips or an auditory learner who relies on conversations and pronunciations, Mondly caters to all with its eclectic mix of learning strategies.
But for me, one of Mondly’s highlights is its use of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) to create immersive language learning experiences. Imagine practicing Spanish with a virtual character in the comfort of your living room or learning Japanese by ‘ordering food’ in a virtually rendered restaurant. Pretty cool, huh?
However, there’s one glaring omission in Mondly’s otherwise impressive language lineup, and that, my friends, is Tamil. Despite the rich history and global reach of Tamil, it’s nowhere to be found on Mondly. Let’s dive into this a bit deeper, shall we?
Why Is There No Tamil On Mondly?
The question that’s been lingering like an elephant in the room: why is Tamil, the language spoken by millions, missing from Mondly’s portfolio? Unfortunately, the reasons behind this glaring omission remain unknown. However, we can make some educated guesses.
One plausible explanation could be the demand-supply dynamics. Mondly might have prioritized languages that have a higher global demand among language learners, which usually includes languages like Spanish, French, German, or Mandarin. Despite the rich cultural heritage and widespread use of Tamil in certain regions, those factors may not be enough to motivate the company to develop lessons for that language.
Another plausible explanation could lie in the intrinsic complexities of the Tamil language itself. Tamil, with its distinctive script and intricate grammar, might present a formidable challenge in terms of developing a comprehensive and learner-friendly course. Certainly, hiring native speakers could help create accurate content, but from a business perspective, there may be additional considerations and complexities to overcome.
Finally, the creation of a new language course demands an array of extensive resources, such as linguistic experts, voiceover artists, as well as substantial time for development, creation of new features, and rigorous testing. Thus, it could be the case that Mondly is meticulously working behind the scenes to guarantee that they offer an exemplary Tamil course when it’s ready for the global stage.
However, none of these reasons dismisses the fact that Tamil deserves its rightful place on global language learning platforms like Mondly. After all, every language, including Tamil, is a portal to a unique cultural universe, and learners should have the opportunity to explore it. Let’s explore some alternatives for eager Tamil learners, shall we?
Language Learning Apps For Tamil
In light of the fact that Tamil isn’t offered on Mondly, don’t fret because there are numerous other reputable platforms and methods available for you to embark on your Tamil learning journey. The key is to find one that aligns with your learning style and fits into your daily routine. Here are some of the best alternatives:
Ling
The Ling app is a highly interactive language learning platform designed to make learning new languages, including Tamil, fun and accessible. It utilises game-based lessons that are not only engaging but also incredibly effective in helping you retain new vocabulary and grammar rules.
One of Ling App’s standout features is its native speaker recordings. These recordings are crucial for understanding the nuanced pronunciation and tone of Tamil words. Additionally, Ling also provides an in-depth guide to learning the Tamil script, making it easier for learners to understand written Tamil.
But that’s not all. Ling also offers review options, where learners can revisit past lessons and reinforce their knowledge. Also, its smart chatbot provides an excellent platform for practising real-world conversations in Tamil right from the comfort of your home.
Simply Learn
For those interested in learning practical Tamil phrases for travel or daily conversation, Simply Learn is a great choice. It offers a large library of commonly used Tamil phrases, which native speakers clearly speak. This allows learners to get a grasp of the pronunciation and context of each phrase.
What makes Simply Learn unique is its focus on real-life scenarios. The lessons are structured around various situations you might find yourself in, such as at a restaurant, hotel, or a local’s house. This means you’ll be learning vocabulary that you can apply straight away in your interactions with Tamil speakers.
So, if you’re eager to start your journey into learning Tamil, both Ling App and Simply Learn make excellent alternatives to Mondly. They’re convenient, user-friendly, and designed with the learner’s needs in mind. Pick the one that suits your learning style and start exploring the rich linguistic traditions of Tamil today!
Learn Tamil With Ling
Well, that’s a wrap on our exploration of the Tamil language and the unfortunate absence of its course on Mondly. However, as we’ve shown, this doesn’t mean you’re left without options. On the contrary, this might just be the push you need to explore other innovative language-learning platforms like Ling and Simply Learn.
If this article has piqued your interest and you’re ready to dive into the beautiful world of Tamil, we strongly recommend giving Ling a try. It’s one of the best resources available to help you grasp this ancient language at your own pace and in a fun and interactive way. Download it now for FREE on your favorite device when you go to the App Store or Play Store!
