Yerukala Language
Yerukalas has a dialect of their own which is called ‘Yerukula basha’ or ‘Kurru basha’ or ‘Kula vaatha’. It is derived from Dravidian languages, mostly Telugu, Tamil and Kannada. They use both the Yerukala dialect and Telugu. The Yerukala language has no official written script and is still in existence in oral tradition.
The Government Of India, in its census data reports, mentions Yerukala language as dialect of Tamil, so groups Yerukala language under Tamil. According to the 1991 census, there are 63,133 Yerukala language speakers. According to the 2001 census, there are 69,533 Yerukala language speakers. Click here to view the 2001 census language data report.
Yerukala language is close to Ravula (language of Korava community in Karnataka and Kerala) and Irula (language of Irula community in Tamil Nadu).
An unofficial written script for Yeruakala language has been designed by Gunna Ramakoteswara Rao. Click here to read more.
TV9 news coverage of Yeruakala language script by Gunna Ramakoteswara Rao. Click here to view.
References from books
Reference of Yerukala language in a book from 1878, A SKETCH OF THE MODERN LANGUAGES OF THE EAST INDIES can be found here.
Reference of Yerukala language in a book from 1879, THE MADRAS JOURNAL OF LITERATURE AND SCIENCE For the Year 1879 can be found here.
Reference of Yerukala language in a book from 1880, MISCELLANEOUS ESSAYS RELATING TO INDIAN SUBJECTS By Brian Houghton Hodgson can be found here.
Books on Yerukala Language
The only book on the Yerukala language published so far is Yerukula Dialect by G. Srinivasa Varma, Dept. of Linguistics, Annamalai University, 1978. This book is available at most of the good public libraries. Click here to search for this book in the public libraries.
Yerukala Language Words
Some of the language terms, mostly relations.
English |
Kurru |
English |
Kurru |
English |
Kurru |
Father |
Ava |
Father's Father |
Jejava |
Father's Mother |
Jeji |
Mother |
Amma |
Mother's Father |
Tata |
Mother's Mother |
Ammamma |
Son |
Momu |
Elder Brother |
Berannu |
Younger Brother |
Thenbhi |
DaughterDaughter |
Maga |
Elder Sister |
Berukka |
Younger Sister |
Thangisee |
Grand Daughter |
Pethi |
Grand Son |
Pyathu |
Aunt |
Atta |
Elder Sister-in-law |
Nanga |
Younger Sister-in-law |
Merchenchi |
Uncle |
Mama |
Click here to view the full set of words as found in A Study of Socio-Linguistic Aspects of Kin Behaviour Among the Yerukala Tribe in Rayalaseema Region of Andhra Pradesh by K. Viswanadha Reddy