KANNADA GRAMMAR
The grammar of a language can be constructed in different ways based on
the theoretical principles and the linguistic model that one has adapted.
However a historical reconstruction and the consequent comparison with cognate
languages will give us a portrayal which is proximate to reality. ‘Ancient
Kannada grammars’ including ‘the venerated ‘Shabdamanidarpana’
by Keshiraja are heavily influenced by Sanskrit grammars and their models of
description. They have grappled with problems that have arisen because of their
choice. The models that were developed during the early decades of the
twentieth century have had Latin and English models which were essentially Indo
European. The preponderance of Sanskrit words in Kannada vocabulary led to the
erroneous conclusion of tracing the origin of Kannada to Sanskrit. The
hegemonial relations that operate in Indian society were instrumental in
cementing this belief.
It is now proved beyond doubt
that Kannada belongs to the Dravidian family of languages and that its
relationship with Sanskrit is a historical development. Hence, a Kannada
grammar whether it is descriptive or historical can be constructed only when it
is compared its cognate languages such as Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Tulu and
many more minor languages and dialects that have retained the original
structures. Actually some dialects of Kannada such as havyaka Kannada have
retained earlier forms with greater fidelity. But Kannada pedagogy has adapted
the Sanskrit model for such a long time that attempt at moving away from that
model is treated as detrimental to Kannada. This issue is not merely concerned
with models of analysis. Prescriptive grammars that do not take the cultural
dynamics of the society make it harder for the communities in the lower rungs
of the societal echelon to join the main stream. This prescriptive tendency is
inevitably linked with the creation of a standard language laden with Sanskrit
words. This makes it difficult for the lay man to become a part of the
scholastic universe. His world-both external and internal- does not get any
opportunity to become an integral part of the intellectual pursuits. Of course
one has to notice that English too is playing a similar role in the
contemporary society.
It is necessary to
reconstruct the grammar Kannada at various levels such as phonetics, phonology,
morphology, syntax and semantics. Reconstructing various stages of its
evolution based on its Dravidian lineage is essential. But it is more important
to create modern models that have relinquished the redundant patterns acquired
from Sanskrit. For instance the rules related to conjunction of words (sandhi)
and compounding of words (samAsa) need to be looked in to, as also the dynamic
patterns that have emerged in adapting words from other languages. The gender,
number and case systems as delineated so far have to undergo major changes.
This is a question of political/societal will.
Each one of these stages
presents problems of its own. To illustrate the situation let us take a look at
the phonetic level.
Traditionally Kannada is
supposed to contain 14 vowels (svara), two yOgavAhas and 34 consonants. The
total number touches 50. However Tamil manages with out the aspirated sounds.
It is possible to pronounce L and O as
CAiÀiï and Cªï. IÄ and its elongated partner are not found in native Kannada
words. The velar and palatal nasals may be included among the allophones of
Kannada. This is true with respect to the aspirated sounds also. Similarly the
distinction between ±À and µÀ is hardly found in every day speech. Consequently
one may conclude that Kannada alphabet contains only thirty one letters in its
alphabet. Of course this will lead to a heated debate and theoretical issues
will recede to the background. A reconsideration of morphology, syntax and
semantics as related to Kannada will give rise to similar debates. It is not
merely a question of prescription or description but one has to consider the
socio linguistic issues that are involved in this problem.
References:
1.
‘Kannada
Madhyama Vyakarana’, T.N.Srikantaiah, 1939,
2.
A
Generative Grammar of Kannada, AK Ramanujan - 1962 -
3.
Kannada:
Descriptive Grammar, S.N.Sridhar, 1990, Routledge.
4.
A
Case Grammar of Kannada, P.P. Giridhar, central
5.
‘Kannadakke
Beku Kannadadde Vyakarana’, D.N.Shankara Bhat, 2000, Bhasha Prakashana,
6.
‘Vyakaranashastrada
Parivara’, N. Ranganathasharmaa, 2002, Rashtrakavi Govinda Pai Samshodhana
Kendra, Udupi.
7.
‘Kannada
Bhasheya Kalpita Charitre’,
D.N.Shankara Bhat, 1995,
8.
Kannada
Vyakarana Parampare, D.N.Shankara Bhat,
9.
Kannada
Jagattu: Ardha Shatamana, 2007, K.V.Narayana,
9.
Liinks: 1. Kannada grammar - Wikipedia,
the free encyclopedia