<P> Pali, the older Prakrit used by Theravada Buddhism, uses the term milakkha . It also employs milakkhu, a borrowing from a Dramatic Prakrit . The term Mencha, probably a tadbhava, was also used by the medieval Marathi saint Samarth Ramdas . </P> <P> Some explanations of the name "mleccha" suggest that the word was derived from the Indo - Aryan perception of the speech of the indigenous peoples . Namely, "mlech" was a word that meant "to speak indistinctly ." As such, some suggest that the Indo - Aryans used an onomatopoeic sound to imitate the harshness of alien tongue and to indicate incomprehension, thus coming up with "mleccha". </P> <P> Early Indians spoke Sanskrit, which evolved into the various local modern Sanskrit - derived languages . Sanskrit was believed to include all the sounds necessary for communication . Early Indians would therefore dismiss other languages as foreign tongue, "mleccha bhasha". As the Sanskrit word itself suggests, "mlecchas" were those whose speech was alien . "Correct speech" was a crucial component of being able to take part in the appropriate yajna s (religious rituals and sacrifices). Thus, without correct speech, one could not hope to practice correct religion, either . </P> <P> The notion of being Arya suggested a knowledge of Sanskrit in order to effectively perform ritual hymns; thus suggesting the importance of language . Parasher discusses the importance of knowing the correct speech in order to perform sacrifice and ritual in the religion of the brahmanas . Parasher continued that: "The best experts of the sacrificial art were undoubtedly the various families of the brahmanas who, placed in a hierarchy within the Indo - Aryan social system, became the upholders of pure and best speech". </P>

Who could not speak sanskrit language were called mlecchas