What language do they speak in Chennai?

Tamil is the predominant language spoken in Chennai and the majority of the city's citizens speak it as their mother tongue. Tamil is not only the official language, but it also plays an important role in the people's cultural identity. It is commonly used in everyday communication, education and municipal government.

Chennai is a cosmopolitan city with a diversified population, hence many different languages are spoken there. English is widely used, particularly in business, education and by expatriates. It is a second official language and is widely spoken in cities. Additionally, numerous populations in the city speak languages such as Hindi, Telugu, Malayalam, Bengali and Punjabi.

Chennai has a distinct linguistic characteristic known as Madras Bashai, a colloquial version of Tamil that contains parts of English, Telugu, Urdu and other languages. This dialect has evolved and is especially popular among specific groups, including auto rickshaw drivers and fishermen. It exemplifies the city's long history of cultural interchange and adaptation.

In conclusion, while Tamil remains the dominant language in Chennai, English and several regional languages add to the city's diverse linguistic environment. You can see more about Diversity of Languages in India - 22 languages of India

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