Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • An Indo-Aryan language: The native language of the Sinhalese people, which is one of the official and national languages of Sri Lanka.
2. Adjective:
   • Relating to the Sinhalese language: Of or pertaining to the Sinhala language.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • She is fluent in Sinhala and Tamil.
  • The official documents were published in Sinhala.
• Adjective:
  • He studies Sinhala grammar.
  • The Sinhala script is used for writing the language.

Advanced Usage

• Historical Linguistics: In academic contexts, Sinhala is described as an Indo-Aryan language that has evolved from Sanskrit and Middle Indo-Aryan dialects, with significant lexical influence from Pali, and later from Portuguese, Dutch, and English.
  • The Sinhala language exhibits unique phonological developments that distinguish it from other North Indian languages.

Variants and Related Words

• Sinhalese: This is a synonym and variant form for both the adjective and the noun referring to the language. It is equally common.
  • The Sinhalese (or Sinhala) community is the largest ethnic group in Sri Lanka.
• Sinhala script: The writing system used for the Sinhala language.

Synonyms

• Sinhalese (n. & adj.)

Notes on Different Meanings

• The word Sinhala specifically refers to the language. The related term Sinhalese is more commonly used as the noun for the ethnic group ("the Sinhalese") and as the general adjective ("Sinhalese culture"). However, Sinhala is the precise and preferred term for the language itself in linguistic and official contexts.

Adjective

1. of or relating to the Sinhalese languages
   • the Sinhalese versions of the Ramayana

Noun

1. the Indic language spoken by the people of Sri Lanka