Tulu

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A language of India

ISO 639-3
tcy
Alternate Names
Tal, Tallu, Thalu, Thulu, Tilu, Tullu, Tuluva Bhasa
Population

1,720,000 (2001 census).

Location

Karnataka, South Kanara (Dakshina Kannada) and Udupi districts; Kerala, Kasargod district; scattered in other states.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification
Dravidian, Southern, Tulu
Dialects

Brahmin Tulu, Common Tulu, Northeast Tulu (Belthangadi, Kerala), Northwest Tulu (Mangalore, Udipi), South Central Tulu (Bantwal, Puttur), Southeast Tulu (Sullia Subrahmanya), Southwest Tulu (Kasaragod, Manjeswara).

Language Use

Also use Kannada [kan], Hindi [hin], English [eng], or Marathi [mar].

Language Development
Literacy rate in L2: 80%–83% in Dakshina Kannada [kan] for Udupi districts. Magazines. Radio programs. Films. Dictionary. Grammar. NT: 1847–2000.
Writing
Kannada script. Tulu script, philosophical texts and religious verses are sometimes written in this script.
Other Comments

Hindu, traditional religion.