The fourth most spoken language in India, Telugu is a Dravidian language that is famously called the Italian of the east. With numbers in the range of 100 million people in the south of India primarily in the states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, Telugu is now also one of the fastest growing languages in the USA. An estimated 2–3 million Telugu speakers live outside India, making it one of the largest Indian diaspora language communities. Heavy concentrations of speakers are found in the United States (especially in tech hubs like Silicon Valley, Seattle, New Jersey, and Texas), the Middle East, Australia, the UK, and Southeast Asia.

The earliest Telugu inscription is from 633 AD, and the history of Telugu written literature begins in the 11th century with the translation of the Mahabharata. Telugu was granted Classical Language status by the Government of India in 2008 in recognition of its antiquity and rich literary tradition.

As a linguistic culture, Telugu represents a multi-cultural space where Jainism, Buddhism, and Islam along with Hinduism, have a long history. In Hyderabad and Telangana, we find both significant physical and cultural influence of Islam and Sufism.  Thus, the Telugu language spoken in Hyderabad and Telangana is largely influenced by Urdu and Persian cultures. As such, we find substantial Urdu words sprinkled through the spoken Telugu in Hyderabad and its neighboring areas.  

Telugu cinema, based in Hyderabad, is one of the largest film industries in India by its output and revenue. Telugu has historically played an essential role in the history of Indian music and dance, being used extensively in classical Carnatic music. A large portion of the Carnatic repertoire (especially the compositions of Tyagaraja, Syama Sastri, and Annamacharya) is in Telugu. Kuchipudi is a distinctive popular dance form of the Telugu region. These musical and dance forms have now spread through the diaspora as well.

In addition, Telugu is among the top languages on the Indian internet, with rapidly growing digital content consumption.

Telugu at Penn

Penn offers a full sequence of Telugu courses, from beginning through advanced levels, with an emphasis on communicative proficiency alongside engagement with authentic literary and cultural materials. These courses provide students with a structured path to pursue various interests in Telugu: connecting with heritage, professional preparation, research, or the pleasure of accessing one of the world's great literary and cultural traditions in its original language.

TELU 0100 Beginning Telugu Part I

This course introduces students to basic Telugu language skills, with an emphasis on the practice of listening comprehension, and speaking Telugu. Combined with exposure to Telugu culture, the classroom and online work in this course will enable interested students to pursue further language study in Telugu at the intermediate level, to carry out field research in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, and to prepare them for advanced work in Telugu Studies. This introduction to Telugu is also useful for students who wish to acquire basic Telugu language skills for the sake of learning a new language, to be able to communicate with Telugu speaking family and friends, or to enjoy Telugu music and films.

TELU 0300 Intermediate Telugu Part I

This course is designed to expand students' basic language skills in Telugu, enabling them to function adequately in Telugu-speaking environments, to immerse themselves in rich Telugu culture, and to accomplish a more advanced competency in an interesting foreign language. This course is also aimed at students planning to conduct scholarly research in Telugu history, literature or society, or humanities or social science fieldwork in Telugu speaking areas.

TELU 1500 Advanced Telugu

This is a course designed for students who have completed four semesters of Telugu or have the equivalent proficiency. Topics vary each semester and individual student interests can be explored.

Students who wish to formalize their Telugu focus often pursue the SAST minor with an emphasis on Telugu, combining four Telugu courses with two foundational SAST courses. Telugu courses can likewise be counted toward the SAST major.