UPSC Prelims 2005 Q126: Geography – Population & Demography
In which one of the following countries is Tamil a major language?
- (a) Myanmar
- (b) Indonesia
- (c) Mauritius
- (d) Singapore
Answer: (d) Singapore
Explanation
Countries where Tamil is a major language
| Country | Tamil status |
|---|---|
| Singapore | Yes — Tamil is one of the four official languages |
| Myanmar | Tamil spoken by a small community, not a major language |
| Indonesia | Not a major language |
| Mauritius | Tamil is spoken by some, but not a major or official language |
Of the options, Singapore is the country where Tamil is a major (official) language, along with English, Malay and Mandarin.
Answer: (d) Singapore.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Tamil is only a minority language in Myanmar.
- (b) Incorrect. Tamil is not a major language of Indonesia.
- (c) Incorrect. Mauritius uses English and French officially, with Creole widely spoken.
- (d) CORRECT. Tamil is an official language of Singapore.
Key point
Tamil is official in Sri Lanka and Singapore; widely spoken in Malaysia.
Remember
Tamil is an official language of Singapore.
Common mistakes
- Choosing Mauritius for its Indian-origin population.
- Forgetting that Singapore has four official languages.
- Mixing Tamil with Hindi and Bhojpuri in Mauritius.
Exam tip
Tamil official status abroad: Sri Lanka, Singapore.
Sources
- Constitution of Singapore — languages
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — Tamil language