* China: The Chinese writing system, with its roots in oracle bone script, has been in continuous use for over 3,000 years. While the language itself has evolved significantly, the basic principles of the writing system have remained remarkably consistent.
* India: The Sanskrit language, which is considered the "mother" of many modern Indian languages, has a written history dating back over 3,000 years. Sanskrit is the language of ancient Hindu scriptures and continues to play a significant role in Indian culture and religion.
While both China and India have strong claims, it's worth noting that:
* Other ancient civilizations: Mesopotamia, Egypt, and the Indus Valley Civilization also had their own writing systems that existed for thousands of years. However, these systems eventually fell into disuse, unlike those of China and India.
* The "oldest" language: The question of the "oldest" language itself is complex, as many languages, like those spoken by indigenous communities, lack written records and may be even older than documented languages.
Ultimately, it's a matter of interpretation and perspective. Both China and India have demonstrably ancient and continuously used language systems, making them both strong contenders for the title of "oldest."