9 Ancient Languages That Are Still Used Today

Classical Arabic: Classical Arabic, the language of the Quran and ancient Arab literature, is still used today as the liturgical language of Islam and as a medium of communication among Arabic-speaking scholars

Hebrew: Hebrew is an ancient language that dates back thousands of years. It is the language of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) and is still spoken in modern-day Israel and by Jewish communities worldwide.

Greek: Ancient Greek, the language of Homer, Plato, and Aristotle, has evolved into Modern Greek, which is spoken in Greece and Cyprus. Many Greek words and concepts have also influenced other languages, particularly in fields like philosophy, mathematics, and science.

Latin: Although Latin is considered a “dead” language, it is still used today in specific contexts. It serves as the official language of the Roman Catholic Church, is studied in educational institutions, and influences many modern languages, especially those of Romance origin.

Tamil: Tamil is one of the oldest living languages in the world, with a rich literary tradition that dates back over two millennia. It is spoken in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu and parts of Sri Lanka.

Chinese: The Chinese language has a long history that can be traced back to ancient times. Classical Chinese, also known as Literary Chinese, was used in ancient texts and scholarly writings. Modern Standard Chinese (Mandarin) is the official language of China and is spoken by the majority of its population.

Sanskrit: Sanskrit is an ancient Indo-Aryan language that originated in ancient India. It is still used today as a liturgical language in Hindu religious rituals and ceremonies and is studied by scholars interested in ancient Indian literature, philosophy, and scriptures.

Coptic: Coptic is the liturgical language of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria in Egypt. It evolved from the ancient Egyptian language and is still used in religious ceremonies and hymns.

Akkadian: Akkadian was an ancient Semitic language spoken in Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq and Syria). While it is no longer spoken, its influence can be seen in modern Arabic and other Semitic languages in the region.