Here's a breakdown of the different perspectives:
* Oldest estimates: Some scholars suggest that Malayalam originated around the 10th century CE, based on the earliest surviving inscriptional evidence and the development of distinct phonological and grammatical features.
* Moderate estimates: Others argue that Malayalam emerged as a separate language from Tamil around the 12th or 13th century CE, recognizing the significant influence of Tamil on its vocabulary and structure.
* Recent theories: More recent research points to a gradual evolution of Malayalam over centuries, suggesting its origins could be traced back to the early centuries CE, possibly around the 4th or 5th century CE, when it was a dialectal variation of Tamil.
Therefore, a precise age for Malayalam cannot be definitively stated. However, most scholars agree that it is an ancient language with a rich history spanning several centuries.
It is important to note that the process of language development is complex and continuous. Languages constantly evolve, borrowing features and influences from other languages. Therefore, pinpointing the exact moment of "birth" for a language can be challenging.
It is more accurate to view Malayalam as a language with a long and fascinating history, continually evolving and adapting throughout its existence.