Periyar E. V. Ramasamy would often claim that Tamil Language, Telugu language, Kannada language and Malayalam language originated from the same mother tongue of old Tamil. He also explained that Tamil language is called by four different names since it is also spoken in four varied Dravidian states.

Nonetheless, the present understanding of Dravidian language also contains statements which contradict such claims. For example, the currently known classification of Dravidian language also provides the following distinct classes: Southern (including Tamil-Kannada (Malayalam) and Tulu); Central (including Telugu-Kui and Kolami-Parji); and, Northern (including Kurukh-Malto and Brahui).

Periyar E. V. Ramasamy, at the same time, was known to made controversial remarks on the Tamil language and people from time to time. On one instance, he referred to the Tamil people as "barbarians" and the Tamil language as the "language of barbarians". He had some strong ideas and concepts about the vowels in Tamil language.

In stone inscriptions from 400 or 500 years ago, many Tamil letters are found in other shapes. As a matter of necessity and advantage to cope with printing technology, Periyar thought that it was sensible to change a few letters, reduce the number of letters, and alter a few signs. He further explained that the older and the more divine a language and its letters were said to be, the more they needed reform. Because of changes brought about by means of modern transport and international contact, and happenings that have attracted words and products from many countries, foreign words and their pronunciations have been assimilated into Tamil quite easily.

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