Tamil (or தமிழ், pronounced [ˈtæmɪl]) is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly in South India, North-east Sri Lanka and Singapore. It is one of the longest surviving classical languages in the world – Tamil literature has existed for over 2000 years, as the earliest period of Tamil literature, Sangam literature, is dated from ca. 300 BC – AD 300. The variety and quality of classical Tamil literature has led to its being described as “one of the great classical traditions and literatures of the world”. Writing system: Tamil alphabet (Brahmic) Official in: India, Sri Lanka, Singapore