Tulu Language Achieves Milestone with Unicode Recognition

Mangalore: The Tulu language has reached a significant milestone with its recent inclusion in the Unicode Standard. This development, marked by the addition of the Tulu script in Unicode version 16, brings 80 Tulu characters into the digital realm, promising to enhance the language’s digital presence and utility.

Despite Tulu not being recognized as an official language under the Indian Constitution, its script has now been formally incorporated into Unicode, under the designation “Tulu-Tiglari”. This recognition opens up new avenues for the language, including applications in natural language processing, text-to-speech, speech-to-text, and artificial intelligence.

The journey towards this milestone began in 2017, when the Tulu Sahitya Akademi established a committee to finalise the Tulu characters. Information technology specialist U.B. Pavanaja, who has been instrumental in this effort, provided technical guidance. A list of characters was submitted to Unicode following extensive correspondence and revisions.

U.B. Pavanaja reflected on his prior efforts to include Kannada in Unicode in 2001 and his subsequent push to have Tulu recognised. Although there are minor discrepancies between the characters initially proposed by the Tulu Sahitya Akademi and the finalised list, the majority of the letters have been incorporated, marking a significant achievement.

The Tulu Wikipedia, launched in August 2016, and Google’s provision of Tulu translation services have also contributed to the recognition of the Tulu script. These initiatives have been crucial in demonstrating the language’s digital and practical relevance.

Taranath Gatti Kapikad, president of the Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Akademi, celebrated the Unicode recognition as a realisation of the academy’s and the Tulu-speaking community’s long-held aspiration. He expressed gratitude towards the experts who tirelessly petitioned and submitted revisions to ensure the Tulu script’s acceptance.

The inclusion in Unicode is anticipated to facilitate further development of the Tulu language, potentially leading to the creation of Tulu language typing tools, software, and operating systems. This development represents a substantial step forward for the Tulu-speaking community, underscoring their dedication to preserving and promoting their linguistic heritage.

The recognition of the Tulu language in Unicode is not just a technical achievement but a testament to the resilience and determination of those who have championed the cause of their mother tongue. It marks a new chapter in the digital presence of Tulu, paving the way for greater visibility and utility in the modern technological landscape.