General Knowledge

Discover the Oldest Spoken Languages in the World

The Egyptian language, spoken since 2690 BC, is the oldest living language globally. The ten oldest living languages are also recognized.

Oldest Spoken Language: The Egyptian language, spoken since 2690 BC, holds the title of being the oldest living language on the globe. Recognize the names of the ten oldest living languages on the globe.

In addition to being a mode of communication, language reflects the history, culture, and identity of a civilization. While several ancient languages remain vibrant, they continue to reverberate with the thoughts and concerns of our predecessors. In this article, we explore the earliest languages that are still in use today. An investigation into the linguistic terrain of the globe reveals an abundance of archaic tongues that have endured for centuries, imbued with the reverberations of earlier periods. These languages, each possessing its distinct narrative and importance, function as portals into the diverse array of human experiences and expressions.

Oldest Spoken Language: Know The Oldest Languages in the World

People throughout the globe preserve several ancient languages still spoken today, safeguarding centuries of culture and tradition. Greek, Egyptian, Aramaic, Hebrew, and Farsi are some of the earliest languages that are still in use today. Throughout millennia, these languages have been present during the ascent and decline of civilizations, encapsulating the diverse fabric of human history. They remain spoken despite the passage of time, which reflects the enduring heritage of their respective civilizations and cultures.

Oldest Language in the World

The earliest extant language in Africa and Egypt is Egyptian, which originated in 2690 BC and subsequently developed into Coptic. Despite having a long history of 4700 years, more than 56 million people still speak this language today, primarily in religious contexts. Arabic, which dates back to the 10th century, influences a multitude of languages and holds historical significance. Both languages embody the lasting influence of culture and communication that has persisted for millennia.

The Top 25 Second Languages Spoken Worldwide

Top 10 Oldest Languages in the World Still Spoken

The oldest still-spoken language in the world is Egyptian, which dates back to 2690 BC. Sanskrit, Chinese, Aramaic, and Greek are the subsequent earliest languages.

Ten of the earliest languages still spoken in the world are listed below:

Oldest Languages of the World
Rank Language Origin Approximate Age
1. Egyptian 2690 BC Circa. 4700 years old
2. Sanskrit 1500 BC Circa. 3500 years old
3. Greek 1450 BC Circa. 3500 years old
4. Chinese 1250 BC Crica. 3300 years old
5. Aramaic 110 BC Circa. 3100 years old
6. Hebrew 1000 BC- 200 CE, 1800 Circa. 3000 years old
7. Farsi 522 BC Circa. 2500 years old
8. Korean No later than 57 BC Circa. 2300 years old
9. Italian Descendent of Latin, 100 BC Circa. 2100 years old
10. Arabic Roughly 100 CE Circa. 1900 years old

Egyptian

Egyptian remains the oldest spoken language in the world, according to a list of the top ten.

The oldest known language to humans is Egyptian, which was developed around 2690 BC. Originating from Africa, it adopted a proto-writing system and has the earliest documented complete sentence. This serves as evidence of the enduring legacy of Coptic, which spans millennia.

Sanskrit

Sanskrit is the oldest still-spoken language in the world, ranking second on the list of the oldest languages (50.1).

Sanskrit, which has been in continuous use since around 1500 BC, is among the most ancient languages in the world. Sanskrit is predominantly used in religious settings such as Jainism, Buddhism, and Hinduism, and is also applied in bureaucratic institutions throughout South and Southeast Asia. Although few people claim it as their native tongue, a significant number of individuals study it as a second language. Its impact has even permeated contemporary literature, music, and the global lexicon via loanwords.

Top 20 Native Languages: Know The Most Spoken Languages Worldwide

Greek

Greek, the oldest still-spoken language in the world, ranks third on the list of the oldest languages in the world (60.1).

It originated around 1450 BC, is recognized as one of the most ancient languages in the world, and is still widely used in everyday discourse. Although it has undergone significant development over time, it can still be traced back to the ancient language. The language has an estimated 13.5 million native speakers and has demonstrated an exceptional degree of continuity for almost 3,500 years, from the time of Homer to the present.

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