How Do You Spell CINGALESE?

Pronunciation: [sˌɪŋɡe͡ɪlˈiːz] (IPA)

The spelling of the word "Cingalese" can be confusing. It is pronounced /sɪŋɡəliːz/ and refers to the language and people of Sri Lanka's Sinhalese ethnic group. The first "c" in "Cingalese" is silent, and the "g" is pronounced like a soft "j." The "ea" combination in "glea" is pronounced like a long "ee." The word was previously spelled as "Singhalese," but it was altered to better reflect the Sinhalese pronunciation. It is important to use the correct spelling to properly respect and acknowledge the culture and language.

CINGALESE Meaning and Definition

1. Cingalese, also spelled as Singhalese (adj.), refers to something or someone related to the Sinhalese people, language, culture, or the island of Sri Lanka. The term is specifically associated with the Sinhala ethnic group which constitutes the majority population in Sri Lanka.

   In terms of ethnicity, the Sinhalese people are believed to be descendants of the Aryan settlers who migrated to Sri Lanka in ancient times. They primarily inhabit the lowland regions of the island and are renowned for their unique language, rich cultural heritage, and distinct religious traditions, predominantly Buddhism.

   When used as a noun, "Cingalese" refers to an individual who belongs to the Sinhala ethnic group. The term can also denote the Sinhala language, which is an Indo-Aryan language spoken by the Sinhalese people and recognized as an official language of Sri Lanka.

   Additionally, "Cingalese" can be used as an adjective to describe anything pertaining to the Sinhalese people or their cultural, linguistic, or religious practices. It can encompass their traditional art, music, literature, cuisine, festivals, and customs.

   It is worth noting that the term "Cingalese" has historical roots in the colonial era, when Sri Lanka was under British rule. Nowadays, the term "Sinhalese" is more commonly used to refer to the same ethnic group and its associated attributes.

2. Of or pert. to Ceylon.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for CINGALESE

• xingalese
• vingalese
• fingalese
• dingalese
• cungalese
• cjngalese
• ckngalese
• c9ngalese
• c8ngalese
• cibgalese
• cimgalese
• cijgalese
• cihgalese
• cinfalese
• cinvalese
• cinbalese
• cinyalese
• cintalese
• cingzlese

Etymology of CINGALESE

The term "Cingalese" is derived from the old Portuguese word "cingalês", which entered the language during the period of European colonization in the 16th century. It was used to refer to the people and language of the island of Ceylon, which is now known as Sri Lanka. The Portuguese word "cingalês" is itself derived from the Sanskrit term "Sinhala", which means "lion people" or "people of the lions". This term was used to describe the majority ethnic group in Sri Lanka, the Sinhalese people. Over time, the term "Cingalese" has been used in English literature to refer to the people, language, or things related to Sri Lanka, especially in older texts. However, it is important to note that the term is now considered dated and is less commonly used, with "Sri Lankan" being the preferred term.