What language does the original text of the Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu use?

The Classical Chinese Language

The original text of the Tao Te Ching was written in a language called Classical Chinese, or "wenyan." Classical Chinese is an archaic form of written Chinese that emerged during the Spring and Autumn period (approximately 771 – 476 BCE) and the Warring States period (475 – 221 BCE). The language served as the literary standard for Chinese texts for over two thousand years before being replaced by Vernacular or Modern Written Chinese. Classical Chinese is characterized by its concise and poetic style, which lends itself well to the philosophical nature of the Tao Te Ching.