* Ancient Origins: Tamil is one of the oldest living languages in the world, with a history dating back to at least the 3rd century BCE.
* Continuous Evolution: Languages evolve and change over time. There wasn't a single moment when Tamil "began." It's likely that Tamil emerged gradually from earlier Proto-Dravidian languages, which were spoken in the Indian subcontinent thousands of years ago.
* Literary Evidence: The earliest known Tamil inscriptions and literary works date back to the Sangam period (around 300 BCE to 300 CE), providing evidence of a well-developed language with a rich literary tradition.
* Oral Tradition: It's highly probable that Tamil existed in an oral form for centuries before written records emerged.
Instead of a starting date, we can talk about:
* Earliest Known Literary Evidence: The Sangam period literature provides a strong foundation for understanding the early history of Tamil.
* Linguistic Evolution: Linguists can trace the development of Tamil over time by examining its grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation.
* Cultural Significance: Tamil has a long and rich cultural history, with its literature, music, and traditions influencing South Indian culture for millennia.
So, while we can't say exactly when Tamil "started," its deep roots and long history make it a truly ancient and fascinating language.