The Tradition of Eelam Muchchanthi Literature - A Study

பாணினி - தொல்காப்பியா் ஸீபவைஹி ஆகிய மூன்று மரபிலக்கணிகளின் உயிரொலிப் பகுப்பு

Abstract

The paper will discuss the categorization of vowel sounds by the three foundational grammarians of Sanskrit, Tamil and Arabic Panini (400 BCE), Tolkappiyar (300 BCE), and Sibawayhi (800 CE). Both grammararians, although they belonged to quite different families of languages and different historical periods, were the first authority of grammar in their respective languages. The paper contrasts their methods of vowel classification using the contemporary phonological features. Panini categorizes vowels in terms of duration (matra), pitch (tone), phonological environment, and syllabic context which is very systematic and concise. Tolkappiyar divides into short (kuril) and long (nedil) vowels in the Tamil language, according to the duration, and secondary vowels. The six vowels of Arabic are split into soft and long vowels (Sibawayhi) with the emphasis being placed on articulatory descriptions. Although these three grammarians have one thing in common, they have a common understanding of the vowel length as a significant attribute, they differ in the thoroughness of their analysis and terminologies. It is concluded in the article, that though these three traditions have their independent origin, they do show universal phonological principles, and their similarities do indicate foundational properties of human language.