Yerukala language

{{Short description|Dravidian language of South India}}

{{Infobox language

| name = Yerukala

| nativename = {{lang|yeu|ఎరుకల}}

| region = South India

| ethnicity = 519,337 Yerukala (2011 census)

| speakers = 58,065, 11% of ethnic population (2011 census)

| ref = {{Cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011Census/Language_MTs.html|title=Statement 1: Abstract of speakers' strength of languages and mother tongues - 2011|publisher=Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India|website=www.censusindia.gov.in|access-date=2018-07-07}}

| date = 2011 census

| familycolor = Dravidian

| fam2 = Southern

| fam3 = Southern I

| fam4 = Tamil–Kannada

| fam5 = Tamil–Kota

| fam6 = Tamil–Toda

| fam7 = Tamil–Irula

| fam8 = Tamil–Kodava–Urali

| fam9 = Tamil–Malayalam

| fam10 = Tamiloid

| fam11 = Yerukula–Korava–Kaikadi

| ancestor = Old Tamil

| ancestor2 = Middle Tamil

| iso3 = yeu

| glotto = yeru1240

| glottorefname = Yerukula

}}

Yerukula is a Dravidian language mainly spoken by the Yerukala tribe. This language is also called Kurru basha or Kulavatha. Yerukala is linguistically close to South Dravidian languages such as Ravula and Irula. Lexical similarity among these languages ranges from 53% to 81%; in the case of Irula, it varies from 33% to 38%; in case of Ravula, it varies from 28% to 45%; in case of modern Tamil, it varies from 27% to 45%.{{Cite web|url=http://www.ethnologue.com/show_language.asp?code=yeu|title = Yerukula}}

Sathupati Prasanna Sree has developed a unique script for use with the language.

Some of the language terms, mostly relations.

class="wikitable"
English ! Kurru ! English ! Kurru ! English ! Kurru
Father | Aava | Father's Father | Jejaava | Father's Mother | Jeji
Mother | Amma | Mother's Father | Tata | Mother's Mother | Ammamma
Son | Momu | Elder Brother | Berannu | Younger Brother | Thenbhi
Daughter | Maga | Elder Sister | Berukka | Younger Sister | Thangisee
Grand Daughter | Pethi | Grand Son | Pyathu | Father's Sister | Atta
Elder Sister-in-law | Nanga | Younger Sister-in-law | Merchenchi | Uncle | Mama