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Telugu language
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Thematic map of South Asia showing the distribution of Dravidian languages, with different regions shaded or marked to indicate where specific Dravidian languages and subgroups are spoken. Most languages are concentrated in southern and central India, with some northern outliers in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and eastern India. A key identifies the languages by number and subgroup, and striped areas indicate regions where several subgroups overlap. A linguistic family tree diagram showing the evolution of Proto-South-Central Dravidian languages, branching into Proto-Telugu and Proto-Gondi-Kui, with further divisions into Savara, Telugu, Gondi, Konda, Pengo, Manda, Kui, and Kuvi.
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Telugu language

Written by
Bhadriraju Krishnamurti
Vice Chancellor emeritus, University of Hyderabad. Author of The Dravidian Languages and Comparative Dravidian Linguistics: Current Perspectives.
Bhadriraju Krishnamurti
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Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
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Telugu language, largest member of the Dravidian language family. Primarily spoken in southeastern India, it is the official language of the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. In the early 21st century Telugu had more than 75 million speakers. The first written materials in the language date from 575 ce. The Telugu script is derived from that of the 6th-century Calukya dynasty and is related to that of the Kannada language. Telugu literature begins in...

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