Are not Sourashtras a Linguistic Minority in Tamil Nadu?

Extract from
BHASHA SAGAR – JULY 2008 – This is a ‘chamaasi’ [six monthly] journal published by
Sri Suresh A.Keswani, Ex-MP (RS) & CLM [Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities].
This is Bi-Yearly House Magazine for circulation among Central/State Govts./Panchayats Offices in all districts. [Not for Sale]
Dr.S.Shiva Kumar, Asst.Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities, Southern Zone, Chennai has written an article
“An Overview”Tamil Nadu:
“Tamil is the official language of the State. Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Urdu, Hindi and Gujarati have been declared as the minority languages in the State.
The Govt. has recognized these languages and provided facilities for learning in these languages. Three language formula s are not followed in the State. However, the provision for learning in the minority languages at primary/secondary stage can be traced back to the erstwhile composite state of Madras Presidency. Recently, this provision has been given a jolt by an Act of the Government of Tamil Nadu, making learning of Tamil compulsory.
The CLM visited Chennai from 24-25 March, 2008 and participated in various functions.
On the 24th March, 2008 he held a press conference at Chennai PIB and stressed the importance of growth of linguistic minorities in the country, sidelining of whom would hit the growth. He pointed out that the opportunity to grow had been lost because of the lack of access to primary education in their mother tongue. He stated that Tamil Nadu, as a state is an example for its ability to nurture talent and to preserve culture, religion and tradition. He also stressed the state to meet the demand of Kannada and Telugu speakers for primary education in their mother tongue. On 25th March, 2008 he inaugurated a seminar of Tamil Nadu Urdu Schools Educational Awareness. The worshipful Mayor of Chennai and his Highness of the Prince of Arcot were also present during the occasion. The CLM stressed the need for learning in mother-tongue and said the languages such as Urdu should not be neglected which have a rich cultural repertory. The speakers largely demanded for amendment to the Tamil learning Act to enable the linguistic minorities to learn in their mother tongue and Tamil as an optional language.”

You can find that SOURASHTRA language is not a Minority language in the State. Only Gujarati is stated as the language declared as the minority language in the State.

UPAMANYU’S examples for writing Sourashtram in roman script. (7)

UPAMANYU’S examples for writing Sourashtram in roman script. (7)

Words in which short vowel ‘e’ is used
ekadEs n. the eleventh day [tithi] after new moon or full moon [amaas, punnim]
eggani adv. for this matter
enguD adv. this side
eTcini n. an evil spirit
eDal n. being not knitted or tied close [saulo eDal eDal kan sE]
eDo n. deaf person
ettunam n. vessel, utencil [ettunam badunam=pots & kettles]
elle, elyo pron. this
eLo, eLaakkailo n. cardamom
eLpam n. denigration
kekuDo n. squaint eyed person
kenkaN n. bracelet, bangle; firm commitment to do a thing
kecchandi n. gunny bag
keTTu piLchaar n. Rasam [thOru beLo sijjaDe pani cherchi kerariyo piLchaar]
keTTumaan n. discipline
keTTe n. human body [figurative] [keTTe lambo keraste=to lie down for a while]
keTTo n. river bank, sea shore [keTTo hingaste=attain salvation,mukti]
keNam n. low lingering fever in children
keNDo n. skin; gold or silver thread; bobbin
ketrikke n. scissors
keduro n. string of thread or silver ornament worn by males in their waist
kenar n. musty, rancid and stale taste [tElum kenar = musty taste]
keraste vt. to do
keraDaste vt. to cause someone to do
kerum n. funeral rites; unpleasant thing; action done in previous birth; duty
kerlaste vt. to do for one’s own interest
kelaam n. lead coating to copper vessels
keLa kaanti n. brightness of the face; charming look
keLo n. banana fruit [kacchikeLo = unripe banana fruit]
keLtar n. interest on loan [vaDDi]
keLLu n. toddy
kheDatte vi. to boil
kheni n. story[kheto=story]
khevDaste vt. to boil
gejin n. prickly heat that appears especially on the back of humans
gejju n. yard [measurement] [gejju khaTTi=yardstick=measuring rod]
geNu n. joint of [sugar cane, bamboo]
geNda puraaN n. that which is very hard to obtain
gettu n. authority, commanding power
geruv n. arrogance; conceit
geLchaste vt. to conquer; to get victory over
gheDi n. Indian hour of 24 minutes [gheDi oNTaaL=every now and then]
ghenam n. pride, fame, prestige, dignity
cekkaste vt.. to cut with a sword or axe
ceDakku n. alertness, smartness
ceDaav adj. superior, excellent
ceraste vi. to associate with, to assemble, to gather
celmo n. spring dug out in a dry river bed
cellaDam n. trousers [ lamba cellaDam=full pants]
ceduv n. education
jegincaste vt. to conquer, to gain victory over
jenjem n. sacred thread worn by men over their shoulder
jeNDi n. obstinate, stubborn and very lazy fellow; obstinate woman
jenaste vt. to give birth to [pallaste=jenaste]
jepaav n. answer
jeman n. feast, banquet [festival, marriage feast]
jeyam n. victory
jelum n birth [jelum tokan ave chaaLin=inborn character]
jellu n. drivel, slaver
jelleD n. sieve
jheTani n. husband’s elder brother’s wife
jheDo n. war, quarrel
tenu pron. they [teno = he; tino = she]
teram adv. 1. The third day to come; 2.the third day
termaste vt. to drive away
telaste vi. to float
telkaD n. pillow
telpi dekkaDaste vt. to mock
telle pron. that, it [telyo=it]
tevannu adv. automatically
teLiv n. clearness; intelligence, sagacity
theLcaste vi. to be awakened
thevDayo adj. a few, a little
dekkaste vt. to see
dekkaDaste vt. to show
deguDo n. stone; mile [distance] [deyDaa monnu=stone heart]
deTchaN n. mercy
deNDu n. useless thing
deLko adj. fat; thick
devar n. husband’s younger brother
devi n. small pox; vaccination for small pox
devrani n. husband’s younger brother’s wife
desdi kaam n. tenth day funeral rites
dheguno n. bedbug [dheyno]
dheraste vt. to catch, to seize, to grasp
dheri avaste vi. to become suitable
dherum n. 1 virtue, moral and religious merit 2 alms giving, charity
dheLin n. red swelling of skin because of insect’s bite
nekku n. nail of fingers and toes
negaro n. kettledrum
neram n. nerve [neraal]
nelungu n. festivity in marriage ceremony when bride and bridegroom daub each other with sandal paste and other gestures; song sung at that time
peTi n. chest, box
pette jaaste vi. to separate from a joint family
peyno n. pen; journey
peraal n. puffed rice
pevTaste vt. to set fire in [fire place etc.]
phelET pillo n. first child to a woman
beTi n. daughter [beTki=girl]
beTo n. son [beTko=boy]
bettam n. cane, rattan; bamboo rod
bedur n. fright startle
beyi n. elder sister
beyil n. wife [beyilmenik = woman]
bestaar n. Thursday
bheyin n. younger sister
bheyis n. buffalo [Tamil = eRumai]
bheLi adv. very [bheLLi = very much]
meki part. 1. All right, let it be 2. Then 3. However
meccaste vt. to praise
meTTu myaaro n. due regard and politeness
medhuD n. brain
menik n. man [menkyaan=people]
mellaste vt. to request
meLi part. even, also [meLLi]
rekke n. wing, feather
regat n. blood
rengu n. colour; dye
reccho n. noise, buzz
reTTe n. shoulder; shoulder blade
rettu n. temple cart; war chariot
rendu n. gap, cleft
ressu n. juice
rheTo n. wheel used for winding woofs around a bobbin
lekku n. target; lakh; place, point; time
legin n. wedding solemnizing hour; marriage procession; marriage ceremony
lecche n. amulet, talisman
lentu postp. till, upto
vegaDu n. drowsiness
veTTu n. cut, stroke; hair cut [veTTu taylaste=to have one’s hair cut]
vedur adv. in front; postp. in front of
veni n. plaited hair [of women]
sheNam adv. early, quickly
segun n. omen
sengu n. company
sejjo adj. next; near
settu n. truth; vow
setlo adj. last adv. lastly
seddu n. sound; noise, clamour
seni n. dried cow dung cake used for lighting fire
serki n. cotton seed
serko adj. right, correct; adv. precisely, correctly
serchulaste vt. to consult
sermyaar n. Saturday
hegaddi pron. this much
hecchu adj. much; excellent; respect, nobleness
heDaste vt. to remove
heDDe n. foolish man [heDDin n. foolish woman]
heto n. affliction, lamentation
hedaartukan adv. without any ulterior motive, in good faith
hempaste vi. to pant [hempini koLaar=asthma]

UPAMANYU’S examples for writing Sourashtram in roman script. (5 & 6)

Words in which short vowel ‘u’ is used.

ukkaste vt. to pluk [ironical –kaay ukkes? = what has he performed !]
ukki n. punishment [sitting and standing again and again holding the ears with
crossed hand]
ukku khaambu n. a place in Madurai at the junction of East & South Masi Streets
ugaadi n. Telugu New Year Day
uchlaav n. income, salary
ujaste vi, to be born
ujvaav n. birth
uncho adj. high
uTchaste vt. To draw, to pull
uDit n. black gram
uDgaste vi. To become feeble, to diminish
uNarcchi n. feeling, emotion
uttar n. North; answer; permission to leave
uddam n. vexation, trouble
unno adj. less, deficient
upir n. excess, much, more [unno upir = neither less nor excess]
ubayam n. adj. two; n. donation for religious purpose
umko n. husk of grain
uraav adj. remainder; left out
urupiDi n. thing that is countable; musical composition
[tuu urupiDi hOnaa = you will not thrive]
ushLaste vi. to jump
uShTo n. saliva
usuvusaal n. breathing heavily, gasping
uskaste vi. to bark (as dogs)
ussuno n. a little, a bit
kucchi postp. for; small stick

UPAMANYU’S examples for writing Sourashtram in roman script. (6)
Words in which long vowel ‘uu’ is used.

uuDuto n. squirrel
uute adj. useless
uuru n. thigh
uuShTu n. excess heat in the body, an anomaly
kuuccham n. hesitation, shyness
kuuT dheraste vt. to catch with both hands
kuuTTal n. addition
khuur n. pungent odour from chillies etc.
guu n. excrements, dung; bad [guu beTki = bad girl (nursery)]
ghuuko . owl
ghuuD n. nest
ghuus n. bandicoot
cuuk n. deficiency, mistake [cuuk ghalaste= to blame]
cuuL n. quantity of palmful
juum n. louse
jhuul n. leech
Tuur n. tour
Duu soDaste vi. to break off friendship [nursery]
tuu pro.n. you [singular]
tuup n. ghee
tuumbo n. gutter, drainage
duut n. milk
dhuum n. smoke
dhuuLi n. dust
nuutanam n. newness
puuT n. dose of medicine, one course of meal; lock;
the gap between warps through which the shuttle [of loom] runs.
puuraa adv. Completely
puurti n. fullness, completeness
puurviikam n. origin [hailing from]
phuul n. flower
buunji n. fungus
buuT n. bottom of [vessel]
bhuuri deTchaNo n. remuneration to priest for performing rites.
bhuuShaNo n. ornament; a Title for excellence
muuT n. fist
muut n. urine
muuru n. hammer
muuro n. length
muulo n. corner
muuL n. root of a plant; problem
muusel n. fainting
mhuurtu n. time fixed for solemnizing the marriage; about 1 hour and 30 minutes
yuugam n. inference; reasoning, logic; deep thought
ruuDhi n. custom, practice, habit
ruupu n. shape, form, figure
ruus n. Quick perception of an indignity
luupdo n. greedy person
shuudru n. member of the 4th varna, person of lower caste
suutu khaaL n. gambling
suudu n. deception
suud avaste vi. to get desire of eating aroused through watching someone eating
suunu n. son
suupu n look, glance[Tirupati dialect]; soup
huun n. sun shine.

SOURASHTRAM WRITTEN IN ROMAN SCRIPT (3)& (4)

UPAMANYU’S examples for writing Sourashtram in roman script. (3)
Words in which vowels i and ii are used. Length is indicated by doubling the letter. But ‘ii’ can also be written [unconsciously] as ‘ee’ for, in English ‘ee’ is pronounced as ‘ii’ only. Example: keep, cheek, cheese etc.
ika param=this world and next
ikku=drawback, snag, flaw [temaam oNTe ikku hotes= there was a snag in it]
ikkuuyo=all these things [itkuuyo become ikkuyo] [> means changes to]
igaste=to study [igattenko=chevdattenko]
iDiyappam=a kind of noodle made from pounded rice baked in steam
itko=how many, how much[ikko]
ivar=details [ivar poDatte=to be understood] [vivar>ivar]
isaanye=a thing like this one
iski=hiccup [ Tamil vikkal]
isotiso=in this or in that manner [isotiso keri jegincityo=somehow he won]
kiso=how [kOnak}
girai=demand; buyer; bride or bridegroom in offer; not accepting an offer out of vanity [teno vEn girai kerlarEs; ture beTik konni girai paDinjeniyaa?]
ghingam=small cymbals used for bhajans [kaam nhiijiyet ghingam teTTi jaa=If you have no work, go and strike the cymbals]
cinuk=rain (salem dialect)[chinkul=drizzling in Madurai dialect]
jivni=life [titkeyo jodunci jivnim teno kaay dekkes?=What he found in his life after earning a lot?]
tidduvaLi=settlement of an account [kaay lhekko tidduvaLi kertiyo yaa?=Have you settled the account?]
diSTi=sight; evil eye [pillaak diSTi laiDriyo=child is suffering from an evil eye]
dhiDo=a kind of rice pan cake fried on a pan [Tamil dOsai]
nitto=straight; vertical; upright [nitto vaaTum jano; vakuNTa vaaT hOnaa=proceed in the straight path not in the bending, zigzag path]]
pirkile=coward (Bangalore dialect)
piso=mad [piso raam bhoddur=innocent and foolish person, simpleton]
phiraste=to go round; to revolve, to rotate; to turn back [gaam cuTTu phiraste=to wander]
biguncaste=to tighten, to fasten [hani biguncaste=to beat soundly]
bhigare=beggar[bhiyare bhiim magarEs=beggar is begging]
mingi=ant [mingi gaaN sEru=virtually nothing]
ritto=empty, blank [ritti kendo=empty bobbin]
rhiyeti meLLi= even then, notwithstanding
lipi=script [sauraaSTra lipi=Sourashtra script]
likkatte=to write [ in Salem dialect, is it rikkatte? Salem people are to confirm]
vincu=scorpion [vincuk vikku puusum=For Scorpion poison is in its tail]
vicciNe=ladder (Bangalore dialect)[in Madurai Dialect saTo]
shikSo=training in learning and arts
siguraste=to sneeze
singaar=beauty [singaraal=beauty] ironical usage - teka singaraal kaLaanaakii?=What he achieved? Don’t we know?
hindo=today [hindaardik=till today]
hiriDi=gum [hiriDim khajju =sore in the gum of teeth]


UPAMANYU’S examples for writing Sourashtram in roman script. (4)

Words in which long vowel ‘ii’ = I = ee is used.
iigu=education, learning
iicche=appearing lonely [of an ornament] deNDo iicche kan dekkaarEs.
iivincaste=to distribute
iivu=quotient
iisaanyam=north east direction
iispuru dhauro=shiva’s temple
-kii= a marker of interrogation [avaykii?=will he come?]
Kiirti=fame
khiiL=latch, bolt
giirvaaNa bhaaSo=Sanskrit language
ciiTu khaaL=playing cards [a game]
ciis=tamarind
ciiT phaTaste=to remove a person from a job [dismissal]
jiip=tongue
jiiv=life [state of being alive] [teka jiiv jEDiyo=he died]
Tii=tea
tiiL=seasame [tidi kerattevEL tiiLu pani soDan=On death anniversary, seasame water is offered to ancesters]
thiine=three
thiindi kaam=funeral rites finished on the third day instead of on 11th day
dii vaaL=two times
diisu=day time [raat diis=night and day]
dhiirgaayusu=long life
niiDo=nest, cage; shado
niiti=prudent conduct; justice; moral philosophy
piiTu=flour
piiThiko=preface
piip=pus
piiL=twist of rope etc.
phiir=again
bhiig=begging
bhiit=wall
miiT=salt
riiN=debt
riiti=manner, mode
rhii=from
liim=margosa
liilo=sport,play; amorous play
viit=street
viiLTo=evening
viis=twenty
siinu=weariness
siim=border; foreign country
hiir=well [Tamil kiNaRu]
UPAMANYU--19-9-2008.

To
All Supporters of Devanagari Script !
From 1920 onwards attempts are made to adopt Devanagari Script for Sourashtra Language.

I presume all those who supported the resolution of adopting Devanagari Script for Sourashtra Language in 1920 and after, had no idea of the fact that 'it is not possible to use Devanagari Script for Sourashtra Language, as it is and that some more symbols are required to implement the resolution'.

The resolution of adoption of Devanagari Script for Sourashtra Language is periodically passed again and again by Sourashtra Madhya Sabha.
Yet Sourashtra Madhya Sabha could not print its notices, reports etc. in Devanagari Script.

Now Central Institute of Indian Languages, Mysore (CIIL) has devised a chart of PARIVARTHANA DEVANAGARI for the use of Sourashtra Language.

The chart is already posted in the blog.

In this chart two more symbols are missing.

How they are going to write Sourashtra Language without these two symbols?
That we have to see.

It is to be noted that both the Bhasha Samman Awardees Sri Thadya Subramanyam and Sri K.R.Sethuram were participating in the workshop conducted at Bangur Dharmasala,Madurai by CIIL jointly with Sourashtra Madhya Sabha.

In fact Sri K.R.Sethuraman was participating in the workshop for the second time.
Earlier he had attended the first workshop held at CIIL premises in Mysore.

Though Sri K.R.Sethuraman has published his own 'Sethuraman's mumozhi akaradi-Sourashtra-Tamil-English', yet he could not point out the missing two symbols while preparing the Parivarthana Devanagiri Script.

I am least bothered for I prefer to Sourashtra Script.

I am just watching the development of of Sourashtra Language through Devanagari Script [now through PARIVARTHANA DEVANAGARI SCRIPT]

I was told by Sri C.K.Manikandan, P.A. to Director, CIIL that they will invite supporters of Sourashtra Script for a similar workshop conducted by them for Sourashtra Language.

But so far no invitation is extended to us.

Dr.Suba Krishna, CIIL, Mysore participated in the inaugural function of RISHI [Research Institute of Sourashtra Heritage and Immigration]and assured that CIIL will give all assistance for development of Sourashtra Language.

It is said text books are being prepared by CIIL, Mysore.

It is but fair, that before they publish the text books, they should seek suggestion from the supporters of Sourashtra Script.

There are many languages in India which uses more than one script.

Then why our Sourashtra Madhya Sabha is adamant in using ONLY ONE SCRIPT and that Devanagari, which is not usable as it is, but require some seven more additional symbols.

We shall wait and see how far they succeed in implementing the resolution passed in 1920 by the 5th Sourashtra Brahmana Mahanadu.

Parivarthana Devanagari

Language & Dialect

I do not want to take your precious time.
Those who are interested in languages alone need to read this.

I am learning Japanese language by fits and starts.[from 1983!]
My friend Dr.Uchida Norihiko, KOBE, Japan has provided me some Japanese books for learning. Recently only, I am able to visit your website.
The controversy whether a particular language is a distinct language or the dialect of a particular language is everywhere.
Nearly for more than 200 years, the controversy between 'Konkani is the dialect of Marathi' and 'Konkani is an independent language' is going on in India. Of course, now Konkani is recognized as a separate language.
Similarly my mother tongue Saurashtram [also SOURASHTRAM] spoken in South India is now recently categorized as a dialect of Gujarati spoken in Gujarat State. Earlier in 1971 Census returns it was shown as a separate language. But in 1991 Census returns, it is clubbed under Gujarati as a dialect.
Some authoritative study is yet to be undertaken to decide its status.
What I wanted to say is if the Nihongo is understood by Okinawa people and Okinawa language is understood by Japanese people, then it can be treated as dialect [variation due to difference in pronunciation and corruption in the spelling]
I have ventured to translate Japanese into Tamil Language, a Dravidian language spoken in South India. Already someone has published something comparing Japanese with Tamil Language.
If you are aware of this, kindly let me know the same.
This is my feedback given to Teach Yourself Japanese site.