Chapter 2Notes on Phonetic Transformations

Old Sanskrit to Greek

Greek Origins.

The following rules govern normally the transliteration of the Old Sanscrit into the Greek Prakrit. There are however other variations.

Vowels.

becomes

or

, normally, but these short vowels may be lengthened by the old Aeolic tendency into diphthongs, or

. In certain cases

may become

, but this is rare.

becomes

, or

.

becomes

, or

.

becomes , or

.

becomes , or

and lengthens into

, or

.

becomes or

.

becomes .

becomes

or

.

becomes

.

becomes

.

Consonants becomes

, or a rough breathing or entirely disappears. In the middle of a word it either disappears or becomes

.

becomes a rough breathing, remains

, becomes

or

or disappears.

becomes or

at the beginning of a word; in the middle it also becomes

.

becomes a guttural.

becomes or disappears. In conjunct letters it sometimes becomes , but usually disappears.

becomes or remains

.

becomes or remains

.

becomes

, sometimes

(in conjuncts) or disappears.

becomes or remains

.

remains .

, , become .

becomes or remains

.

becomes or

or remains

.

becomes or

, or remains

.

becomes

or

.

becomes or

or remains

.

remains .

becomes or remains

.

becomes or

.

become dentals.

remains .

becomes or remains

.

remains .

becomes

or

.

becomes or

.

becomes or

.

becomes .

Sanskrit to Tamil Rules — derived from common Tamil changes.

1. The vowels are modified in various ways. Eg for

, 2. The akar is dropped at the end of the stem — passim.

3. is continually changed into

. Eg , 4. Medial consonants are dropped or replaced by

or

.

for

,

for 5. is represented by

,

or

.

for ,

for

,

for 6. All soft letters are converted to the corresponding hard, which is however softened or aspirated in the middle of a word. — A general rule of Tamil.

7. All aspirates except

, the pure aspirate, are converted into the corresponding unaspirated letters. General rule of Tamil.

8. A compound letter is simplified. Eg for Special Rules for Change of Consonants not dropped.

1. There is no sibilant in pure Tamil, only

representing

, & — A recognised rule.

2. There is no . It is often changed into

. Eg pronounced 3. is changed into

.

for 4. and easily interchange. Eg from 5. becomes or

.

for

,

for

,

for 6. is changed into

. Eg for 7. sometimes becomes

, when preceded by a guttural. Eg