Part of: Kerala Gk set 40

..... is the principal language of the State of Kerala.

Category: Kerala Gk

Hint: Consider the official language of Kerala.

Correct Answer: C) Malayalam

Exam Relevance: UPSC, SSC, State PSC

Difficulty: Easy

Explanations:

The principal language of the State of Kerala is Malayalam. Malayalam is one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is spoken by the majority of the population in Kerala. It is a Dravidian language with a rich literary tradition and is used in various aspects of life in the state, including education, media, and administration.

Malayalam is written using the Malayalam script, which is an abugida derived from the ancient Brahmi script. The language has a long history and has been influenced by Sanskrit, Tamil, and other languages over the centuries. It is known for its complex grammar and rich vocabulary, which includes many loanwords from Sanskrit and other languages.

While Kerala is located in a region where several South Indian languages are spoken, Malayalam is the predominant language within the state. The neighboring states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh have their own principal languages: Tamil, Kannada, and Telugu, respectively. These languages are distinct from Malayalam and are not the principal languages of Kerala.

Understanding the principal language of a state is important for various reasons, including cultural identity, administrative purposes, and educational requirements. In the context of competitive examinations, knowledge of the principal languages of different states is often tested to assess a candidate's familiarity with regional languages and cultural diversity in India.

Option Analysis:
  • Option A: Tamil is not the principal language of Kerala. It is the official language of Tamil Nadu, a neighboring state.
  • Option B: Telugu is not the principal language of Kerala. It is the official language of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, states located to the north of Kerala.
  • Option C: Malayalam is the correct answer. It is the principal language of Kerala and is used in education, media, and administration within the state.
  • Option D: Kannada is not the principal language of Kerala. It is the official language of Karnataka, a state located to the north of Kerala.

Mnemonic: M - Malayalam, M - Malayalam, M - Malayalam

Back to Kerala Gk set 40 – Practice all questions