How to Use Reported Speech and Indirect Speech in Tamil

Understanding Reported Speech in Tamil

Reported speech, also known as indirect speech, is used to convey what someone else has said without quoting their exact words. In Tamil, reported speech is commonly used in daily conversations and writing to relay information.

Direct vs Indirect Speech

Direct speech quotes the exact words spoken, usually enclosed in quotation marks. For example:
He said, "I am coming."
Indirect speech, on the other hand, reports the meaning without quoting exactly. For example:
He said that he was coming.

Forming Reported Speech in Tamil

In Tamil, reported speech is typically formed by changing the verb tense and using specific particles or conjunctions to introduce the reported clause. The verb forms often shift to reflect the change from direct to indirect speech.

Common Structures for Indirect Speech in Tamil

Here are some common ways to form indirect speech in Tamil:

• Use of the particle "என்று" (eṉṟu) meaning "that" to introduce the reported clause.
• Changing the verb tense to past or appropriate form depending on the context.
• Using verbs like "சொன்னார்" (soṉṉār) meaning "said" or "கூறினார்" (kūṟinār) meaning "stated" to attribute the speech.

Example Sentences

Direct speech: அவர் கூறினார், "நான் பள்ளிக்கு போகிறேன்."
Indirect speech: அவர் பள்ளிக்கு போகிறேன் என்று கூறினார்.

Translation:
Direct: He said, "I am going to school."
Indirect: He said that he was going to school.

Verb Tense Changes in Tamil Reported Speech

When converting direct speech to indirect speech in Tamil, verb tenses often change to reflect the time shift. For example:

• Present tense verbs in direct speech often change to past tense in indirect speech.
• Future tense verbs may change to conditional or past future forms.
• Imperative sentences are reported using verbs like "அவனிடம் சொல்லினார்" (he told him) with appropriate verb forms.

Examples of Tense Changes

Direct: அவள் சொன்னாள், "நான் வருவேன்."
Indirect: அவள் வருவேன் என்று சொன்னாள்.

Direct: அவர் கூறினார், "நான் வேலை செய்கிறேன்."
Indirect: அவர் வேலை செய்கிறார் என்று கூறினார்.

Common Reporting Verbs in Tamil

Some common verbs used to report speech in Tamil include:

• சொன்னார் (soṉṉār) - said
• கூறினார் (kūṟinār) - stated
• விளக்கியார் (viḷakkiyār) - explained
• அறிவித்தார் (aṟivittār) - informed
• கேட்டார் (kēṭṭār) - asked

Practice Phrases for Reported Speech in Tamil

Tips for English Speakers Learning Tamil Reported Speech

1. Pay attention to verb tense changes when converting direct speech to indirect speech.
2. Use the particle "என்று" (eṉṟu) to introduce reported clauses.
3. Practice with common reporting verbs to become familiar with their usage.
4. Listen to native Tamil speakers to understand natural usage of reported speech.