Old Telugu

Old Telugu
  • తెనుఙ్గు
  • తెనుఁగు
An Old Telugu inscription found in Keesaragutta, Telangana reading "tolucuvānḍru" (c. 5th century CE)
Pronunciation[ˈt̪enuŋgu], [ˈt̪enũgu]
RegionAndhradesa (modern-day Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, India)
EthnicityTelugus
Erac.200 BCE - 1000 CE
Dravidian
  • South Dravidian
    • South Dravidian II
      • Old Telugu
Early form
Language codes
ISO 639-3None (mis)
Glottologoldt1249

Old Telugu (Old Telugu: తెనుఙ్గు, తెనుఁగు, romanized: tenuṅgu, tenũgu; Telugu: పాత తెలుగు, romanizedpāta telugu) is the earliest attested stage of the Telugu language. It is attested in various inscriptions, labels, and in early loanwords.

Old Telugu later evolved into Middle Telugu around 1000 CE, which then evolved into Modern Telugu around 1600 CE.