Re: [indic] Halant - can it be called a "Linguistic Zero" (Panini)?

From: JAGANADH G (jaganadhg@gmail.com)
Date: Wed Apr 28 2010 - 12:31:17 CDT

  • Next message: N. Ganesan: "Re: [indic] Halant - can it be called a "Linguistic Zero" (Panini)?"

    On Wed, Apr 28, 2010 at 10:50 PM, N. Ganesan <naa.ganesan@gmail.com> wrote:

    > A question for linguists. In Indian scripts,
    > there is a sign called halanta
    > which is used to delete an
    > inherent vowel /a/ in an Indic syllable.
    >
    > For example, in any Indic script,
    > http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virama
    >
    > A syllable with /a/ + Halant = A "pure" consonant (with /a/ "killed")
    > i.e.,
    > [ka] + Halant = [k]
    >
    It is wrong.

    [ka] - [a] = [k] not [ka] + [Halant] = [k]

    like wise

    [ka] - [a] + [i] = [ki]

    > Usually, in early Brahmi, the halant "vowel-killer" sign is like a macron
    > above any consonant syllable. In Tamil, halant is a dot (bindu) above
    > of on the side a syllable, which is same as bindu for zero
    > in Khmer inscriptions.
    >
    > My question: Can we call Indic Halanta (the "killer" of vowel,/a/)
    > a form/kind of "Linguistic Zero" of PaaNini?
    >
    > What is ment by "Linguistic Zero"? 

    -- 
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JAGANADH G
http://jaganadhg.freeflux.net/blog

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