தமிழ் புத்தாக்கம் (Tamil
Renewal)
Lesson 1: The Leap to Fluency
Where You Are vs. Where You're Going
You can already talk. Now, let's learn to express.
This course is designed to move you from functional
conversation to nuanced, confident expression. We will
bridge the gap between "textbook" Tamil and how people
*really* speak.
•
Reviewing Your Foundation: Solidify complex grammar.
•
Embracing Complexity: Discuss abstract topics and
opinions.
•
Thinking in Tamil: Start using idioms and natural
phrasings.
Our 40-Lesson Journey (A Glimpse)
Module 1: The
Dual-Language
Module 2: Nuance
& Idioms
Module 3: RealWorld Topics
Mastering the critical difference
Using proverbs
Discussing and debating
between Spoken Tamil (பேச்சு)
(ேழம ொழிகள் ) and
current events, media, society,
and Written Tamil (எழுத்து).
colloquialisms to sound like a
and the arts.
native speaker.
The Core Challenge: Two Tamils?
At the upper-intermediate level, the biggest hurdle is diglossia. We
will learn to "code-switch" between them.
பேச்சுத் தமிழ் (Pechu) vs. எழுத்துத் தமிழ்
(Ezhuthu)
What is எழுத்துத் தமிழ் (Ezhuthu Tamil)?
Formal & Standard
Characteristics
This is the "high" variant of Tamil. It's the one you've
It has more complex grammar, uses "purer"
likely studied the most in textbooks.
vocabulary (less English), and is consistent across
Used in:
all regions.
What is பேச்சுத் தமிழ் (Pechu Tamil)?
Casual & Everyday
Characteristics
This is the "low" or spoken variant. It's what you
It has simplified grammar, uses many "loan words"
hear in movies and in daily life with friends and
(e.g., from English), and varies significantly by
family.
region.
Used in:
The Goal: Code-Switching
" A fluent speaker isn't just one who
knows one Tamil, but one who knows
*when* to use *which* Tamil.
"
Example 1: The Verb 'to be'
English
Ezhuthu Tamil (எழுத்து)
Pechu Tamil (பேச்சு)
He is a doctor.
அவர் ஒரு
அவரு டொக்டரு (Avaru doctor-u)
The book is there.
புத்தக ் அங் பக இருக்கிறது (Puththagam ange
irukkirathu)
புக் அங் க இருக்கு (Book anga
irukku)
My name is...
என் மேயர்... (En peyar...)
என் பேரு... (En peru...)
ருத்துவர் (Avar oru maruththuvar)
Example 2: Verbs (Future Tense)
English
Ezhuthu Tamil (எழுத்து)
Pechu Tamil (பேச்சு)
I will go.
நொன் பேொபவன் (Naan povēn)
நொன் பேொபவன் / நொ பேொவ (Nā pōva)
He will come.
அவர் வருவொர் (Avar varuvār)
அவரு வருவொரு (Avaru varuvāru)
They will see.
அவர்கள் ேொர்ே்ேொர்கள் (Avargal pārppārgal) அவங் க ேொே்ேொங் க (Avanga pāppānga)
Example 3: Question Words
English
Ezhuthu Tamil (எழுத்து)
Pechu Tamil (பேச்சு)
Why?
ஏன் ? (Ēn?)
ஏ? (Yē?)
Where?
எங் பக? (Engē?)
எங் க? (Enga?)
What?
என் ன? (Enna?)
என் ன? (Enna?) (Often same, but tone differs)
How?
எே்ேடி? (Eppadi?)
எே்ேடி? (Eppadi?) (Often same)
Today's Focus: Shifting Your Mindset
Listen for Patterns, Not Just Words: Notice *how* people shorten verbs and change nouns.
Use Media Actively: Watch one movie clip *with* Tamil subtitles (Ezhuthu) and listen for the
differences.
Don't "Write" How You Talk: Start to be conscious of when you are writing formally vs.
texting casually.
Practice Both: Read a news article aloud (Ezhuthu), then *explain* what it means to a friend
(Pechu).
Warm-up: Introduce Yourself (Again)
2
Ways
Your First Task
Introduce yourself.
1. Job Interview (Formal): Use full, formal sentences
(Ezhuthu).
2. New Friend at a Cafe (Casual): Use relaxed, spoken
forms (Pechu).
Activity: News vs. Chat
Let's read this formal news headline. How would you text
this information to your friend?
Headline (எழுத்து):
மசன்னனயில் இன்று கன னழ மேய் யு ் .
(Chennai-yil indru kanamazhai peyyum.)
Chat (பேச்சு):
இன்னனக்கு மச ்
னழ இருக்கொ ் !
(Innaikku semma mazhai irukkām!)
5. Describe the
picture
6W 1H
1) What- Enna?- என்ன?
2) Where- Engé?- எங் பக?
3) When- Eppódhu?எே் பேொது?
4) Why- Én?- ஏன் ?
5) Which- Endha?- எந்த?
6) Who- Yaar?- யொர்?
7) How- Eppadi?- எே்ேடி?
6. Movie Time
YouTube Link:
https://youtu.be
/3kDgoMWb3M
M
Your Task for Lesson 2
Listen (Pechu)
Watch (Ezhuthu)
Find a Tamil song or movie scene (5 mins). Write
Watch one 5-minute Tamil news clip. Write down 3
down 3 phrases you hear that sound different from
formal words you hear and try to find their "Pechu"
textbook Tamil.
equivalent.
பகள் விகள் ? (Kēlvigaḷ?)
Thank you! நன் றி! (Nandri!)
Image Sources
https://public-images.interaction-design.org/tags/td-iterative-development-illustrations-bridge.png
Source: www.interaction-design.org
https://ambassadorindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Marina-Beach-Chennai.jpg
Source: ambassadorindia.com
https://elements-resized.envatousercontent.com/elements-video-cover-images/8157cb35-0327-4cb0-bce4cf5323dbdd6e/video_preview/video_preview_0000.jpg?w=500&cf_fit=cover&q=85&format=auto&s=e04ec0b7c49917f652a347fa0559a6b41c9cec7671130b70cd9c7bbaa
ede49f8
Source: elements.envato.com