The present treatise is the First Volume of a research project, viz., "Studies in Tibeto-Himalayan Linguistics" undertaken by the undersigned with a view to presenting a detailed analysis of structural aspects of the languages belonging to the Tibeto-Himalayan group.
Pattani, though work on other dialects also is in progress, was given preference to others because of its central position among these languages and of the ready availability of detailed material connected with it. The collection of the data was undertaken in hand in 1975 and was completed in 1977. Thus it took me nearly four years to collect the data for this Volume and the subsequent analysis thereof.
In this treatise I have made an attempt to present a complete analysis of this dialect, falling within the purview of descriptive linguistics. I have presented the entire data hierarchically in four sections, viz., phonology, morpho-phonemics, morphology and syntax. In the introductory chapter, I have also made an effort to give a brief account of the geographical background of the region in which this dialect is spoken, along with the socio-cultural background of its speakers. I am sure that this will help the readers to appreciate the study in its right perspective. In the Appendices I have reproduced some portions of the text on which I have based the present study and also have appended a glossary of Pattani words along with their English glosses.
Moreover, about the presentation of these data, I have also to state that, being the first detailed analysis of one of the languages of this region, I could not resist the temptation of citing copious examples to illustrate various aspects presented in this analysis. I am sure that these citations will help to present a clearer view of the language as a whole. I, however, have nothing to say about the contribution. It is before the scholars and they are the best judge of it.
I am grateful to my friends and well-wishers for the help that I received directly or indirectly from them in the preparation of this treatise. But for the pleasant task of expressing my gratitude to scholars, whose works I have not only freely utilized in its preparation, but also which have influenced the results of the present investigation in various ways, I find myself in an embarrassing position because of not being able to make a mention of all of them individually.
In the descipline of linguistic researches dialectology is a comparatively new field of explorations. In India till recently it had received very little attention from scholars. Our linguists were mainly interested in the study of the origin and development of some of the major languages of this subcontinent. It was with the advent of neo-linguists in the West that our attention, too, was drawn towards this important aspect of the linguistic studies.
0.1. IMPORTANCE OF THE STUDY Now a days, the study of dialects has found an important place, almost, in all countries where linguistic investigations are being carried on in a systematic way. Underlining the importance of this type of study Dr. Andre Martinet, the great pioneer of dialectology, says "A dialect is not a language plus a few appendages, it is a whole that deserves to be considered and studied as such."1
Moreover, the study of an uncultivated language makes us rethink of the statement that simple culture would make use of simple language. The concept of 'simplicity' may be confined to a few vocabulary items only, as will be evident from the present study. It has been noticed that the grammar including the sound system of the so-called, uncultivated or simple, languages is much more complex in its structure than that of many cultured and advanced languages.
Besides, the language of a particular tribe or an area is the most potential source of providing unmistakable evidences of the history and the culture of the people making use of it, for the reason that language is very conservative in its character; it allows the minimum changes in otherwise changed circumstances. As such, besides its linguistic importance the study of a dialect is also equally important for the understanding of the history and the culture of its speakers.
In this context, it may be mentioned that the Himalayan region as a whole has a special significance, owing to its very rich linguistic heritage and innumerable varieties of dialects belonging to various linguistic families of the Asian continent.
For privacy concerns, please view our Privacy Policy
Send as free online greeting card
Email a Friend
Manage Wishlist