Learn More About Sinhala Language, Sri Lanka

The Sinhala language (or Sinhalese) is one of the official and national languages of Sri Lanka, alongside Tamil. Sinhala is predominantly spoken in the southern, western, and central regions, while Tamil is primarily used in the northern and eastern areas. In this blog post, Sri Lanka Immigration Services will provide you with details about the Sinhala language and offer some useful phrases that can enhance your travel experience!

Sinhala language of Sri Lanka

The History of The Sinhala Language

The Sinhala language was developed over 2,500 years ago, with roots embedded in ancient Indo-Aryan languages brought to Sri Lanka by settlers from northern India. Evolving through various stages influenced by Pali, Sanskrit, and Tamil, Sinhala developed into its distinct form, reflecting the island's rich cultural interactions.

The "Sinhala" is known to originate from the term "lion-blood" in Sanskrit. This refers to the founder of the Sinhala people, Prince Vijaya. Legend has it that Prince Vijaya is descended from the mythical King Sinhabahu, a lion and princess's offspring.

Sinhala has been impacted by a number of languages over the centuries as a result of trade, colonization, and religious connections, including Tamil, Portuguese, Dutch, and English.

What Language is Sinhala? Sinhala Language Words

Sinhala belongs to the Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European language family, which is renowned for its complex verb conjugations and honorifics. The language also includes loanwords from Pali, Sanskrit, Tamil, and English, highlighting Sri Lanka's historical and colonial influences.

Sinhala Script and Writing System

Sinhala alphabets consist of 52 letters that do not correlate to any letter in the Latin alphabet. If you can only learn some common phrases to travel to Sri Lanka, let's choose the Sinhala language. This is because seventy-five percent of individuals in Sri Lanka can speak it. You will, thus, have more opportunity to utilize it than the 25% of Sri Lankans who speak Tamil.

Sinhala language words are written from left to right. It is an abugida script, where consonants have an inherent vowel sound that can be modified using diacritics. The script's elegance and uniqueness add to the cultural identity of Sri Lanka.

Round letters are a distinguishing feature of the Sinhala script. This is derived from the historic technique of writing on palm leaves, where straight lines could destroy the writing surface.

Pronunciation and Grammar

Sinhala grammar is distinguished by the use of postpositions rather than prepositions, and it follows a subject-object-verb (SOV) word order akin to Japanese or Korean.

Mama gedara yanawa (මම ගෙදර යනවා) translates to "I am going home" (Mama = I, gedara = home, and yanawa = going).

To express politeness and respect, the language uses honorific terms.

Verbs vary depending on tense, subject, and politeness level.

Phonology: The language has a rich phonetic inventory with a distinction between long and short vowels, and a variety of consonant sounds.

Regional Variations

Sinhala is spoken in various regional dialects, each with its own unique pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar. The major dialects are Uva, Sabaragamuwa, and Kandyan.

Some Common Words for Communication in the Sinhala Language

• Hello - "Aayubowan" (greeting), "Hello" (modern usage)
• How are you? - "Kohomada?"
• What’s your name? – Oyāgē nama mokakda?
• I love you - "Mama oyāṭa ādareyi"
• Thank you – Stuuti.

These phrases encapsulate basic communication in Sinhala. By knowing some common phrases in the Sinhala language, you can enhance your experience while in Sri Lanka.

Sinhala Language Alphabet

Where is the Sinhala Language Spoken?

Primarily spoken in Sri Lanka, Sinhala is the mother tongue of the Sinhalese people, accounting for approximately 75% of the country's population. It is the official language alongside Tamil, reflecting the island's diverse linguistic landscape (Understanding Sri Lanka's official language). Additionally, tens of thousands speak the Sinhala Language in Singapore, the United States, Canada, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates. 

In certain regions of the country, people who may speak a combination of Sinhala, Tamil, and English depending on the circumstance are multilingual or even trilingual. All things considered, Sri Lanka's linguistic variety reflects the country's distinctive culture and rich heritage. Whether you want to study English, Tamil, or Sinhala, there are many opportunities to thoroughly delve into the language and culture of this country.

5 Fun Facts about the Sinhala Language

Do you want to understand this language better? Reading on to find out the 5 interesting facts about the Sinhala language of Sri Lanka:

1. Sinhala is a syllabic language

Every consonant in the syllabic language of Sinhala has a corresponding vowel. At the start of a syllable, vowels are represented by a distinct letter. This language is derived from the Brahimi script and reads from left to right. In addition to Sinhalese, Pali and Sanskrit are written in the Sinhala script.

2. Influence of Buddhism

Sinhala has absorbed numerous terms from Pali, the sacred language of Theravada Buddhism. The ancient Buddhist writings, which were written in Sinhalese, contributed to the spread of the faith in the area. That feature increased the vernacular's worth.

3. Literary Heritage

Sinhala has a rich literary tradition. Ancient texts like the "Mahavamsa" and modern works by celebrated authors contributed to its cultural tapestry.

4. Diglossia

The Sinhala Language is diglossic, as there are two dialects of Sinhala that coexist. One is used for daily conversation, whereas the other is a formal rendition of literary works. The vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation of the two versions are also different. Although both variants are used by native speakers, the colloquial version is more frequently applied.

5. Sinhala was first used around 200 BC

Researchers have found rock drawings that may be the first examples of Sinhala use. These sculptures are from 200 BC. A literary Sinhala language emerged by 1250 and has persisted to this day. Though pronunciations have evolved, modern Sinhalese is similar to that of the 1250s.

Fun facts about the Sinhala language

The Sinhala language is generally a testament to Sri Lanka's vibrant cultural mosaic, blending ancient roots with contemporary expressions. Learning a few words or phrases in this language will allow you to connect with the local people on a deeper level. Whether your purpose is to discover the astonishing natural beauty or visit Sri Lanka’s historical landmarks, understanding a few of the characteristics of the Sinhala language will increase your sense of being immersed in the nation.