Older or Newer Language Quiz
From ancient scripts to modern tongues — can you tell which language came first?
Older or Newer Language Quiz: Test Your Knowledge
Sumerian is considered the oldest written language at roughly 5,400 years old, while Korean's Hangul alphabet was invented in just 1443. This quiz presents 50 questions spanning the full history of human language — from the earliest cuneiform tablets to constructed languages like Esperanto.
How It Works
Each round randomly selects 10 questions from a pool of 50. You'll compare languages, writing systems, and linguistic milestones to determine which is older. Pick the correct answer from four options, get instant feedback, and see your final score at the end.
What You'll Learn
You'll discover the ages of the world's writing systems, learn which languages are surprisingly ancient (and which are surprisingly modern), and gain a deeper appreciation for the evolution of human communication across millennia.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the oldest known written language?
Sumerian is considered the oldest known written language. Sumerian cuneiform script appeared in Mesopotamia (modern Iraq) around 3400 BC, initially as pictographs for record-keeping before evolving into a full writing system. The language itself died out as a spoken language around 2000 BC but continued as a scholarly language for centuries.
How old is the Chinese writing system?
Chinese has the oldest continuously used writing system in the world. The earliest confirmed Chinese characters are Shang dynasty oracle bone inscriptions dating to around 1200 BC, though the system likely developed earlier. Unlike Sumerian and Egyptian hieroglyphs, Chinese characters have been in continuous use for over 3,000 years.
When was the Korean alphabet invented?
The Korean alphabet, Hangul, was created in 1443 by King Sejong the Great and his scholars. It was designed to be easy to learn so that commoners could read and write — before Hangul, Korea used Chinese characters. Hangul is remarkable for being one of the few alphabets whose exact creator and creation date are known.
Last updated: April 2026