Was Colonization Really That Long Ago?
Many of the words we use daily are not actually Tamil, they are Tamil versions of Portuguese, Dutch, or English words we’ve integrated.
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Many of us may think of colonization as a distant memory, something that happened a long time ago and has little relevance to our lives today.

However, the truth is that colonization has had a profound and lasting impact on Tamil people all over the world.

In the grand scheme of things, when we look at the entire history of Tamil civilization, colonization seems like it happened just yesterday.

Within the last 500 years or so, so much of the Tamil way of life was erased or altered.

A way of life that has developed over tens of thousands of years picked at and torn a part over just a few centuries.

And of course, change is inevitable.

We will always continue to evolve.

However, it is important to consider with what awareness do we view those changes.

You see, we are part of the first few generations of Tamils who have lived free from colonization, and whether we like it or not, our actions will dictate the future of our language and heritage.

Because the truth is, colonization has affected every aspect of Tamil life, from our societal structures, traditions to even the way we feel about our identity.

So, it is up to us to question, relearn, and reclaim our heritage.

It may seem like a daunting task, but I honestly believe that lasting changes can come from the small things.

For example, consider the words we use when we speak Tamil.

Many of the words we use daily are not actually Tamil, they are Tamil versions of Portuguese, Dutch, or English words we’ve integrated into our vocabulary during colonial times.

Could keeping these words part of our vocabulary be hurting Tamil?

Take a look at some examples shared below!


What You Missed In Tamil Class
Researcher
Toronto,  Canada
What You Missed In Tamil Class is a collection of my own opinions on aspects of the Tam...
What You Missed In Tamil Class is a collection of my own opinions on aspects of the Tam...
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