///I meant "grammar" in a very loose and general way. I.e. things about the language other than the sounds of the language.///
There is the answer to your own question! In our traditional understanding of Tamil, “grammar” includes an analysis of sounds, syllables, and words. Regards, rajam > On Feb 23, 2024, at 8:12 PM, Harry Spier <[email protected]> wrote: > > Hi Rajam, > I meant "grammar" in a very loose and general way. I.e. things about the > language other than the sounds of the language. So for example I wondered > why in sanskrit should ī ,ū or e when dual terminations (and only when dual > terminations) remain unchanged before vowels.. In other words why should > whether a termination is "dual" or not effect its being changed by following > sounds. Or why should internal sandhi be any different from external sandhi. > > I received this response from Michael Witzel and I don't think he would mind > if I share it. > one has to look at Sandhi as the product of various historical sound > changes, some Indo-Iranian (RUKI rule), some pre-Indo-Aryan, some Vedic… > > Thus: ī ,ū or e when dual terminations remain unchanged before vowels. > > This is historical: ī, ū are from < i+H (laryngeal), u + H > with regular > change to ī,ū. The laryngeal disappeared with regular lengthening of the > vowel, but speakers “remembered” the gap it left. > > Like French Le Havre, not l’Avre. (from Germanic H-) > > Harry Spier > > > On Fri, Feb 23, 2024 at 10:57 PM rajam <[email protected] > <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: > Kindly pardon my ignorance. Please let us know how you define “grammar.” > > Thanks and regards, > rajam > > >> On Feb 22, 2024, at 7:02 AM, Harry Spier via INDOLOGY >> <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: >> >> Dear list members, >> I've wondered for a long time why sanskrit sandhi has any dependence on >> grammar and is not solely determined by preceding or following >> letters/sounds. >> >> For example why should internal sandhi have any differences from external >> sandhi. As MacDonell says, "The most notable divergence from external sandhi >> is the unchangeableness of the final consonans of verbal and nominal stems >> before terminations beginning with vowels, semivowels and nasal >> >> Or why should ī ,ū or e when dual terminations (and only when dual >> terminations) remain unchanged before vowels. >> >> In other words, in these cases why should grammar and not just adjacent >> sounds determine whether sandhi occurs. >> Thanks, >> Harry Spier >> >> _______________________________________________ >> INDOLOGY mailing list >> [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> >> https://list.indology.info/mailman/listinfo/indology >> <https://list.indology.info/mailman/listinfo/indology> >
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