Kannada

A language of India

ISO 639-3

Alternate Names

Banglori, Canarese, Kanarese, Madrassi

Population

37,700,000 in India (2001 census). Population total all countries: 37,739,040.

Location

Karnataka; Andhra Pradesh; Tamil Nadu; Maharashtra. Also in Canada, United States.

Language Status

2 (Provincial). Statutory provincial language in West Bengal (1950, Constitution, Schedule VIII).

Classification

Dialects

Aine Kuruba, Bellary, Bijapur, Gulbarga, Jeinu Kuruba, Kumta, Nanjangud. About 20 dialects; Badaga may be one.

Typology

SOV

Language Use

9,000,000 L2 speakers.

Language Development

Literacy rate in L1: 60%. Literacy rate in L2: 60%. Fully developed. Bible: 1831–2000.

Language Resources

Writing

Braille script. Kannada script, primary usage.

Other Comments

Hindu, Muslim, Christian.