WACE Tamil Second Language ATAR flashcards

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Diglossia in Tamil

Tamil has two registers: formal written Tamil (senthamil) used in literature, news and essays, and colloquial spoken Tamil (kodunthamizh) used in conversation. Comprehension tasks often contrast the two forms.

Accusative case suffix -ai

The suffix -ai marks the direct object of a verb, as in 'pusthakathai paartteen' (I saw the book). Identifying -ai helps locate what is being acted upon in a reading text.

Locative suffix -il

The suffix -il means 'in, at, on' and marks place or time, as in 'veettil' (in the house) and 'kaalail' (in the morning). It answers 'where' and 'when' questions in listening texts.

Past tense marker -tt-/-nt-

Many Tamil verbs form the past with -tt- or -nt-, for example 'paartteen' (I saw) and 'vantaan' (he came). Recognising these endings tells you an action is complete, not ongoing.

Negation with illai

Illai means 'is not' or 'there is not' and negates existence or identity, as in 'atu illai' (that is not there). Questions about what someone did not do depend on spotting this word.

Contrast connector aanaal

Aanaal means 'but' or 'however' and signals contrast between two ideas. In listening and reading tasks, the answer often lies in the clause after aanaal rather than before it.

Classifiers per and pothu

Tamil uses classifiers with numbers: 'per' for people and 'pothu' for books, as in 'irandu per' (two people). Using a bare number for people is a common distractor in listening tasks.

SOV word order

Tamil sentences follow Subject-Object-Verb order, so the verb comes last: 'naan saatham saapteen' (I ate rice). Placing the verb early is a frequent error in writing and speaking tasks.

Verb agreement ending -aan

The ending -aan marks third person singular masculine verbs, as in 'vantaan' (he came). Matching the ending to the subject's person, number and gender is required for grammatical accuracy in production.

Honorific ending -aar

The ending -aar marks respectful third-person reference and polite second person, as in 'vantaar' (he came, respectfully). It is expected in formal letters and when speaking to or about elders.

Formal letter subject line

Formal Tamil letters include a subject line (porul) between the receiver's address and the salutation, stating the purpose. Informal letters omit it and use intimate address forms instead.

Pulli in Tamil script

The pulli is a dot written above a consonant to show it has no inherent vowel, as in க் (k) versus க (ka). Correct use of the pulli affects spelling accuracy in written production.

Sequencing word muthalil

Muthalil means 'first' or 'at first' and opens a sequence. Using it with 'atarku pin' (after that) and 'mutiviyaaka' (finally) builds the cohesion examiners reward in produced texts.

Retroflex consonant ழ

ழ is a retroflex approximant unique to Tamil, distinct from ள (retroflex lateral). Pronouncing ழ as ள is a common pronunciation error that reduces marks in speaking tasks.

Text type katturai

A katturai is a formal essay with an introduction, body paragraphs and conclusion, written in formal register. It contrasts with kadhai, a narrative story using past tense and dialogue.

Imperative in advertisements

Advertisements (vilippurai) often use imperative verb forms such as 'vaangungal' (buy!) to address readers directly. Recognising imperatives helps identify persuasive purpose in viewing and reading tasks.

Tamil as a Dravidian language

Tamil belongs to the Dravidian family and is structurally distinct from Indo-Aryan languages like Hindi, though it has borrowed Sanskrit vocabulary. This explains grammatical patterns that differ from English.

Greeting vanakkam

Vanakkam is the standard Tamil greeting meaning 'greetings' or 'respect', used at meeting and parting. It appears in letters and formal speech and signals cultural awareness in produced texts.

Kinship term akka

Akka means 'elder sister' and is also used politely for any older woman. Tamil kinship terms distinguish age and side of family, unlike the single English word 'sister'.

Pongal festival

Pongal is a Tamil harvest festival celebrated in January, named after the sweet rice dish cooked for it. Recognising such cultural references helps interpret texts rather than translating them literally.

Kolam design

A kolam is a decorative pattern drawn with rice flour at the entrance of Tamil homes, especially at festivals. It appears in cultural texts and should be understood as a customary practice, not ordinary vocabulary.

Tamil script as abugida

Tamil consonants carry an inherent 'a' vowel, so க is 'ka' while க் is bare 'k'. Other vowels attach as diacritics, as in கா (kaa) and கி (ki), explaining spelling patterns.

Polite pronoun neengal

Neengal is the polite or plural form of 'you', while nee is informal singular. Using neengal with elders and teachers reflects respect and is a register requirement in speaking and writing.

Code-mixing in Tamil

Modern Tamil speech often mixes English words such as 'bus' and 'phone'. Formal writing usually prefers Tamil equivalents, so register awareness means knowing when code-mixing is inappropriate.

Stance marker ninaikkiren

Ninaikkiren means 'I think' and signals the speaker's personal opinion. Analysis questions often ask you to locate such markers to separate opinion from factual reporting in a text.

Modal verb vendum

Vendum means 'should' or 'must' and expresses obligation or recommendation. Its presence usually marks an evaluative or persuasive statement rather than a neutral fact.

Counter-argument ethirkkaruthu

Ethirkkaruthu means 'opposing view' and introduces a counter-argument in persuasive Tamil texts. Identifying it helps answer questions about how an argument is structured and rebutted.

Causal connector athanaal

Athanaal means 'therefore' or 'because of that' and links a cause to a result. Evaluating whether the stated result truly follows strengthens analysis of the writer's reasoning.

Tone word katu

Katu describes a harsh or critical tone in Tamil. Naming tone precisely, alongside words like nagaichuvai (humorous) and kanintha (serious), earns evaluation marks in analysis questions.

Hedging word orumurai

Orumurai means 'sometimes' or 'once' and softens a claim. Hedged statements are usually opinions rather than facts, which matters when distinguishing the two in evaluation tasks.

Generalisers ellorum and eppavum

Ellorum means 'everyone' and eppavum means 'always'. Sweeping generalisers without cited evidence weaken an argument, so noting them supports judgements about reliability.

Rhetorical question marker -aa

Tamil forms yes/no questions by adding -aa to the verb or predicate, as in 'varuvaayaa?' (will you come?). In persuasive texts such questions may be rhetorical, signalling tone rather than seeking an answer.