Differences and Similarities between Arabic and Tamil Languages: A Comparative Study

The current study aims to present a comprehensive comparative analysis of Arabic and Tamil, two ancient and culturally significant languages belonging to the Semitic and Dravidian language families, respectively. Adapting a qualitative comparative methodology, the research systematically examines the typological differences and similarities across the phonological, morphological, and syntactic domains of both languages. It is based on a linguistic theory that the researcher used books, articles, theses, and website articles to obtain the necessary secondary data. Moreover, the study talks about the unique linguistic synthesis that gave rise to Arabu-Tamil (Arawi), a hybrid language that emerged over centuries of cultural and religious contact. The study revealed that the two languages are almost entirely different from each other at the levels of sound system, morphology, grammar, syntax, and word order. Conversely, the emergence of Arawi demonstrates a significant historical and sociolinguistic connection, highlighting the capacity for linguistic adaptation and synthesis. This study contributes to comparative linguistics by shedding light on the complex relationship between two major linguistic traditions and the language-contact phenomena that result from them.