QCAA Tamil (SEE) key terms

A vowel letter in Tamil script, one of twelve basic vowels that can stand alone as a syllable. These letters carry the pure vowel sound without a preceding consonant.

A consonant letter in Tamil, one of eighteen basic consonants. Each consonant letter inherently carries the vowel 'a' unless modified by a vowel sign.

A compound Tamil letter formed by combining a consonant with a vowel sign. These letters represent a consonant sound followed by a vowel sound in a single written unit.

The special Tamil letter 'ஃ', which has no independent sound. It occurs in specific positions and marks a hardened, abrupt articulation before certain consonants.

The 'hard' consonant class in Tamil, comprising six consonants including க, ச, ட, த, ப and ற. These consonants are pronounced with stronger, more forceful articulation.

The 'soft' consonant class in Tamil, comprising six consonants including ங, ஞ, ண, ந, ம and ன. These consonants are pronounced with gentler articulation and often occur nasalised.

The 'medial' consonant class in Tamil, comprising six consonants including ய, ர, ல, வ, ழ and ள. These consonants fall between the hard and soft classes in articulation strength.

A case marker or suffix in Tamil that indicates the grammatical relationship between a noun and other words. Tamil has eight cases, each with its own set of markers.

The singular grammatical number in Tamil, referring to one person, thing or entity. Verbs and pronouns agree with nouns in singular or plural form.

The plural grammatical number in Tamil, referring to more than one person, thing or entity. Plural markers attach to nouns and affect verb agreement in sentences.

Grammatical tense in Tamil, indicating when an action occurs. Tamil verbs distinguish past, present and future tense through specific suffixes attached to the verb root.

A verb in Tamil grammar, expressing an action, occurrence or state of being. Verbs carry tense, person and number information through their suffixes.

A noun in Tamil grammar, naming a person, place, thing or abstract concept. Nouns take case suffixes and distinguish singular from plural forms.

An adjective or adverb in Tamil grammar, modifying a noun or verb. These words describe qualities, manner or degree and are a distinct word class.

A transitive verb in Tamil, where the action passes from the subject to an object. The subject performs an action affecting something else.

An intransitive verb in Tamil, where the action does not pass to an object. The sentence focuses on the subject's own state or action.

Direct speech in Tamil, reporting a speaker's exact words within quotation marks. The original wording and perspective are preserved without change.

Indirect speech in Tamil, reporting what someone said without quoting their exact words. Pronouns and verb forms shift to reflect the reporter's perspective.

A non-finite verb form in Tamil that links clauses but does not complete a sentence on its own. It typically conveys an action preceding or accompanying the main verb.

A participial form in Tamil that functions like an adjective before a noun. It is derived from a verb but describes the following noun rather than asserting an action.

The rules governing sound changes when Tamil words or morphemes combine. Letters may be inserted, dropped or altered to maintain smooth pronunciation across boundaries.

The Tamil system of euphonic combination between words, describing how adjacent sounds change when words join. It ensures natural pronunciation in connected speech and writing.

An idiom or fixed expression in Tamil whose meaning cannot be deduced from its individual words. These phrases are culturally embedded and used as complete units.

A traditional Tamil proverb that conveys folk wisdom or moral insight. These concise sayings reflect cultural values and are frequently used in speech and writing.

A classical Tamil text of ethical couplets attributed to Thiruvalluvar. It is a foundational work of Tamil literature, organised into sections on virtue, wealth and love.

The body of classical Tamil literature composed during the Sangam period, including anthologies of poetry. These works are central to Tamil cultural and literary heritage.

The Tamil people as an ethnic and linguistic community, sharing language, literature and cultural traditions. The concept links language identity with cultural belonging across regions.

Culture in the broad Tamil sense, encompassing customs, values, arts and ways of life. It includes both tangible heritage and intangible practices passed between generations.

Tradition in Tamil, referring to inherited customs, practices and knowledge. It denotes continuity with the past and the transmission of cultural forms over time.

A Tamil harvest festival celebrated in mid-January, marked by cooking a sweet rice dish in a new pot. It expresses gratitude to nature and is a major cultural celebration.

A traditional Tamil bull-taming sport held during harvest festivities. It involves participants attempting to hold a bull's hump and carries cultural significance in Tamil Nadu.

A classical Indian dance form with deep roots in Tamil cultural tradition. It combines expressive storytelling, rhythmic footwork and codified hand gestures.

Theatre or drama in Tamil, a performance art combining dialogue, music and movement. Tamil theatre has both folk and modern urban traditions.

Religion or religious tradition in Tamil, encompassing beliefs, practices and institutions. Tamil culture has been shaped by Hindu, Muslim, Christian and other traditions.

The family unit in Tamil culture, often extending beyond the nuclear household. Kinship terms in Tamil distinguish relationships precisely and reflect social structure.

The Tamil kinship system, with specific terms for each relative depending on age and side of the family. These terms encode social obligations and respect relationships.

A Tamil greeting expressing respect, used both in person and in writing. It also functions as a polite closing in letters and formal communication.

Translation between Tamil and another language, requiring attention to meaning, register and cultural nuance. Skilled translation preserves intent rather than word-for-word equivalence.

The formation of new Tamil words through derivation, compounding or borrowing. Modern Tamil creates technical vocabulary by combining native roots or adapting loanwords.

Christianity as practised within Tamil-speaking communities, with its own Tamil hymns and church traditions. It is one of the religious traditions contributing to Tamil cultural diversity.