Revitalizing Tamil Language Among Urban Youth in Chennai A Community-Based Digital Preservation Initiative
Keywords:
Tamil language preservation, urban youth engagement, digital language learning, community-based intervention, cultural heritage conservation, ChennaiAbstract
This community service project addresses the declining proficiency in Tamil language among urban youth in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Despite Tamil being one of the world's oldest classical languages with rich literary heritage, younger generations increasingly favor English and Hindi in daily communication. This initiative implemented a six-month digital preservation program involving 150 youth participants aged 15-25 from three urban communities in Chennai. The program integrated mobile applications, social media campaigns, and interactive workshops to enhance Tamil language skills and cultural appreciation. Methods included collaborative learning sessions, digital storytelling, and intergenerational dialogue facilitated by community elders and language experts. Results demonstrated significant improvements in participants' Tamil reading comprehension (42% increase), writing skills (38% improvement), and cultural awareness (65% enhancement). The program successfully created sustainable community networks and digital resources for ongoing Tamil language preservation, providing a replicable model for linguistic revitalization in urban Indian contexts.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Rajesh Kumar Venkataraman, Priya Lakshmi Sundaram, Ananya Devi Krishnan
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