In India, we find the concept of bhasha traya or the triple split of languages – Sanskrit, Prakrit and the vernacular (Tamil, Kannada, etc,). Prakrit was considered to be the language of the snakes. It was believed to be Patal Bhasha – language of the netherworlds or nagbhasa – the language of the snakes.
Concept of Bhasha Traya
School Story Curriculum 