I heard that the difference between formal literary Tamil and the day-to-day spoken language is as great as the difference between modern English and the English of Chaucer's time? Is this really true?

 It is expected that one should learn Grammer First to learn Tamil. These are not followed as many argue, that if I can speak in the world and can read Tamil, what is the need for learning Grammer. Many know Grammar not in debth.

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Is written Tamil an artificial language as no one speaks like that?

There is only one Semmozhi in literary form. There are not many changes. Over the years, it is accepted to use words from other languages as it is.

Vazhakkumozhis are different. Dialelects changes every 50 kilometres, forget about overseas.

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Changes are few in literary tamil.

Diaelects changes every 50 kilometres in Tamil Speaking regions.

Nellai Tamil is different from Madurai Tamil.

Kongu Tamil is different from Nattukkottai Tamil.

But these four diaelects are more or less in alliance with literary Tamil.

Now the twist, we do have regions North of Cauvery and Tamil Nadu borders with other linguistic states, since 2nd century and Tamil Nadu also home to Madras Presidency people speaking Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam. History brought us, Thanjavur Marathis and Saurashtrians. We also have Seths, Gujaratis killing Tamil in a Rajasthani / Gujarati genderless style.

We also have “humiliating Tamil” spoken by habitants of State capital. Those people should be shamed of speaking Artificial language, instead of pointing towards literary Tamil.

Over and above, we do have Sri Lankan Tamils speaking “Malayalam” and swearing it as Tamil.

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Listen any News in TV Channels, Read Newspapers and Magazines or political meetings - all speak somewhat in line with literary Tamil.