Devanagari--Can There Be A Script Without A Language ?

                                    The Indic branch of Indo-European Family of languages consists of 3 dead languages(Sanskrit,Prakrit,Pali) and more than a dozen living languages. It is believed that all these languages use a script called “Devanagari’ script .This script is a fully developed script with vowels and consonants structured in a perfect manner.

                       Linguists are aware that in a natural language speech develops first, followed by development of script ,perhaps, after sufficient period of cultural and intellectual stabilisation.Many languages do not have a script at all. While ‘script’ is not a must for a language, a sufficient phase of ‘spoken language’ is a condition precedent for formation of script based on phonology. This is so because the ‘script letters’ represent the sounds of the spoken words, in phonetic languages.(However in non-phonetic languages, the chances of ‘pictographic script’ developing prior to ‘speech’ cannot be  ruled out.)

                     Indian History or World History does not have any evidence to prove that there was a language called ‘Devanagari’ and it was spoken by any people, for a significantly long period.Then, the question that arises is ‘How did this script develop?’

                     I proceeded to solve this problem on the following lines. I examined all the possibilities and my findings are:

1       Possibility: The script could have been borrowed from any IE language.

            Findings: Ruled out as no basic similarity is evidenced, Even the construction  of vowels and consonants are unquestionably different.The number of vowels and consonants do not agree,after allowing a margin of, say, five for possible additions

2       P :The script could have been borrowed from an established language spoken in the  geographical area where Indic languages were  spoken.

           F: The only other language family with established presence in India, is the Dravidian family of languages. The lead language of the family, Tamil has a history of atleast 2000 years and evidence of having been spoken widely in major parts of Indian sub-continent .As Tamil literary works dating circa 500 BC are available , the ‘speech’ should have been pretty old. Tamil has a perfect script which could not have been borrowed, considering its history of independent development and the geographical insulation of  its command area. Considering these factors, Tamil appears to be the prima-facie  possible source of the ‘ Devanagari script’.

                  I sat down to confirm the position, Here is my comparative  analysis,taking Hindi script as a representative for the purpose.

        Vowels:Tamil has 12 vowels . Hindi has 13. Certain Tamil vowels are absent in Hindi.Additional vowels in Hindi are ‘ru’ and ‘am’.It may be observed that the additional vowels in Hindi are not pure vowels but a combination of vowel and consonant sounds.As such it could have been additions, necessitated by certain  sounds prevalent in Sanskrit but not prevalent in Tamil.

       Consonants: Tamil has 18 consonants whereas Hindi has more than 30 in number.It may be observed that the additional consonants in Hindi are nothing but sound variants of the 18 consonants of Tamil only.For example, the consonant ‘k’ of Tamil has additional 4 variants namely ‘kha’,’ga’,and’gha’in Hindi.Similarly ‘cha’ of Tamil has three additional variants ‘chha’ ’ja’ and’jha’.These script letters seem to have been carved out of the original Tamil letters by slight alterations .Such alterations are quite easy as the basic skeletal framework is already provided by Tamil .The  illustration provided in the annexure to this e-mail (as a .jpg attachment) would help you understand my point better.

                         Based on the foregoing findings I propose that the script used  by the Indic branch of the Indo-European family of languages is basically provided by Tamil and has to be accepted as such unless contrary is proved with evidence .As this is an investigative exercise I have not limited my search in the defined linguistic territories.I have also not considered the various language families ,as we know them, as water-tight compartments. I am of the view that imposing such kind of restrictions on a fact finding process will not help finding out the correct position or the possibilities that can be thought of .

                       I invite comments and suggestions in the matter, especially covering  the question whether a fully developed script capable of taking care of the ‘script needs’of  more than a dozen languages ,could have formed without a established spoken language preceding.Comments on possible script contribution from a language other than Tamil are also welcome.

(Published in Linguist List)

Etymology Of Sanskrit Word 'Mehta'

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Tamil Is The Mother Of Sanskrit !

Sanskrit does have an image of antiquity,greatness,mother etc. not based on facts but more on 'marketing techniques'.Its like Coca Cola commanding a better image than pure 'water' just by its 'marketing'.Tamil is like 'pure water' with no 'Marketing Department '!
                        Certain questions raised by Alvaro Hans ,in his study on the oldest languages of the world, is quoted below.
"What Language Did Aryan’s Speak ?
                                                                            When Aryans invaded India, Circa 1500 B.C.they did not come with a language which had any known name.They should have spoken a kind of minor language with no script or literature.They found Tamil ,a highly developed language, spoken throughout Indian sub- continent upto Baluchistan  in the Himalayas. Tamil was found to be  a  language with 3 independent fields of ‘Iyal(Prose),Isai(Music)and Natakam(Drama)’ .Dr.Vincent Smith ,a noted British historian,in his book on Early Indian History, refers to the contribution of Tamil,especially  words borrowed by Aryans into their language. Tamil had developed advanced grammar ,as proved by the great grammar treatise ‘Tholkappiam’ .Later,.Panini’s Sanskrit grammar, has borrowed heavily from ‘Tholokappiam’.For e.g. ‘Sandhi rules’ of sentence construction.
Shaping Up Of Sanskrit
                 Over a period of time Sanskrit appropriated many Tamil words, altered a bit phonetically and made it as Sanskrit.Tamil was not used in official dealings .Instead of calling Tamil family of languages as’ Tamil Family of Languages’ they chose to call it ‘Dravidian’ languages.’Dravidian’ only means ‘Tamil’ in Sanskrit !Imagine ‘English’ being called in French ’Anglais’ language in Britain itself ! Similarly they borrowed Tamil script and called it as imaginary ‘Devanagari’ Script! There is no spoken language called ‘Devanagari’ at all !Then how can there be a well-developed script alone ?Similarly Tamil music was appropriated and called’Carnatic’ music !The point to note here is that this ‘Carnatic Music’ is not found in Karnataka ! Tamil food is ‘South Indian food’ and Tamil hits are ‘Madarasi hits’!
                 Many north Indians are not aware of such a great language at all.My Gujarati friend was asking me innocently,whether Tamil word ‘Thannee’ for ‘water ‘is from Hindi ‘Paaani’! Then I explained to him how Hindi ‘Paani’ is from Tamil ‘Thannee’!
A Myth Is Born !
                                Over a period of time, a great  myth, that Sanskrit was older than Tamil ,was born.It  was also projected that Sanskrit is the most important language of India as well as the world ! This myth has been sustained over a  period of almost 3000  years through media and all centres of higher learning .One should not forget the fact that Sanskrit was never a spoken language of the masses. It was basically a court language and widely used only for coded Vedic rituals .
Roots Of Sanskrit
            The very word‘Sanskrit’appeared much later and means ‘refined script’.The word is derived from two Tamil words ‘semmai ‘meaning ‘refined’ and ‘kirukku’ meaning ‘scribble’ ie script. Most of the important Sanskrit words have their etymological roots clearly  linked to Tamil..All spiritual words like ‘veda,puja,guru,vigyan, atma, homkund etc. are all Tamil words slightly altered phonetically and so ,it sounds different.For example,the Sanskrit word ‘Puj’ and Tamil word ‘Pusai’ are considered cognate words.While in Sanskrit the word is a morpheme (vide page 641 of Sanskrit-English ,Dictionary-Monier Williams), in Tamil the word ‘Pusai’ breaks down into “Poo+sei’.’Poo’ is ‘flower’ and ‘Sei’ is ‘to do’.The Tamil ritual ceremony done with flowers toTamil Gods , is thus called ‘Pusai’in Tamil.In contrast ‘Puj’ in Sanskrit means ‘to honour,to worship’and this inference has no basis. Hence the etymology of Sanskrit word 'Puja' is Tamil word 'Pusai' only.’Poosari’ is ‘priest’ in Tamil.
              Tamil etymology is clear,logical and acceptable unlike Sanskrit etymology which prima-facie appears uncertain and untenable.Research shows presence of large number of  Tamil words in Sanskrit awaiting acknowledgement."
    Hence Tamil certainly appears to be the mother of all Indian languages including Sanskrit.The word'Arya' itself is from Tamil 'Ayya' which means 'respectable'.

Real etymology of Sanskrit word 'Sundar'

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 Real Etymology Of Word 'Sundar'