Classical language
Old language with established literature or use / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For classical languages in India, see Classical languages of India.
According to the definition by George L. Hart of the University of California, Berkeley, a classical language is any language with an independent literary tradition and a large body of ancient written literature.[1]
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Classical languages are usually extinct languages. Those that are still in use today tend to show highly diglossic characteristics in areas where they are used, as the difference between spoken and written language has widened over time.