Tej K. Bhatia and Kazuhiko Machida, The Oldest Grammar of Hindūstānī.
Journal name: Acta Orientalia
Original article title: Tej K. Bhatia and Kazuhiko Machida, The Oldest Grammar of Hindūstānī. Contact, Communication and Colonial Legacy. Historical and Cross-Cultural Contexts, Grammar Corpus and Analysis. 3 Vols.
ACTA ORIENTALIA is a journal focused on the study of Oriental languages, history, archaeology, and religions from ancient times to the present. The journal includes articles reviewed by a senior scholar in the relevant field.
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Christina Oesterheld
Acta Orientalia:
(Founded in 1922 and published annually)
Full text available for: Tej K. Bhatia and Kazuhiko Machida, The Oldest Grammar of Hindūstānī. Contact, Communication and Colonial Legacy. Historical and Cross-Cultural Contexts, Grammar Corpus and Analysis. 3 Vols.
Year: 2010 | Doi: 10.5617/ao.7340
Copyright (license): CC BY 4.0
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Summary of article contents:
Introduction
The book under review, "The Oldest Grammar of Hindūstānī" by Tej K. Bhatia and Kazuhiko Machida, presents a scholarly analysis of a previously unpublished grammar written in Dutch by Jean Josua Ketelaar in 1698. This manuscript, long considered lost until the 1930s, offers valuable insights into the historical and grammatical aspects of the Hindustānī language. The work is composed of three volumes: the first discusses historical contexts and grammatical analysis, the second focuses on the lexical corpus, and the third provides a facsimile of the original manuscript. The editors successfully navigated the challenges of deciphering a complex and damaged manuscript to shed light on a significant moment in the language’s history.
The Colonial Context of Hindūstānī Grammar
One of the key concepts explored in the book is the colonial context surrounding Ketelaar's work. Bhatia describes Ketelaar's grammar as emblematic of the "religious-colonial-business" model prevalent during his time. This perspective allows researchers to examine how Ketelaar's efforts contributed to understandings of bilingualism and language variation within the socio-cultural milieu of seventeenth-century India. Despite minor errors, Ketelaar’s work is recognized for laying groundwork in comparative-historical linguistics through his lists of Persian, Dutch, and Latin terms. His observations and transcription styles provide researchers with a rich source to explore the intersections of language and colonialism, expanding the understanding of Hindūstānī's evolution.
Issues of Linguistic Representation
Another significant theme in the review is the challenge of accurately representing Ketelaar's linguistic targets in modern contexts. Bhatia and Machida's substitution of the term "Hindī" for Ketelaar's original use of "Hindustānī" raises questions about the implications of linguistic labeling. This decision often led to the depiction of modern standard Hindī forms in place of the varied dialects that Ketelaar encountered, potentially misrepresenting the linguistic landscape of his time. The editors' focus on modern standards may have overshadowed the linguistic nuances captured in the original text, leading to inaccuracies in the transcription and analysis of certain terms and grammatical forms.
Conclusion
Overall, "The Oldest Grammar of Hindūstānī" is a commendable effort that significantly advances the field of South Asian linguistics. The work addresses the historical complexities of language within the colonial context, while also highlighting the challenges of accurately interpreting historical linguistics. Despite some discrepancies in transcription and representation, the editors have made an exceptional contribution to language studies, encouraging further research and exploration of Ketelaar's grammar and its implications for understanding the evolution of Hindūstānī.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What is the main focus of The Oldest Grammar of Hindūstānī?
The book studies the Hindūstānī grammar written by Jean Josua Ketelaar in 1698, exploring its historical and cross-cultural context, grammatical corpus, and analysis through three volumes.
Who was Jean Josua Ketelaar and his contribution?
Ketelaar, born in 1659, worked for the East India Company and wrote a groundbreaking grammar of Hindustānī. His original manuscript was lost until a copy surfaced in the 20th century.
What challenges did the editors face in deciphering Ketelaar's manuscript?
The manuscript's florid writing style, inconsistent Dutch transcription, and ink blotches made reading and understanding difficult, requiring extensive effort from the editors to clarify the content.
How do Bhatia and Machida address language labeling issues?
Bhatia uses 'Hindī' broadly to encapsulate Hindī-Hindustānī-Urdū. However, this leads to questions regarding the accuracy of representing Ketelaar’s original target forms in modern standard Hindī.
What is the significance of this work for language studies?
The book serves as a valuable resource for researchers interested in the history of Hindustānī grammar, bilingualism, and language variation, despite some misinterpretations in the analysis.
Glossary definitions and references:
Oriental and Historical glossary list for “Tej K. Bhatia and Kazuhiko Machida, The Oldest Grammar of Hindūstānī.”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of History, Linguistics, Religion, Philosophy, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism etc.
1) Hindi (Himdi):
In the text, 'Hindī' refers to the term used synonymously with Hindustānī and Urdū. The work examines how Ketelaar's target forms were often translated to modern standard Hindī, despite his sources and the era not strictly aligning to this modern form.
2) Language:
'Language' in this context refers to the linguistic study of Hindūstānī grammar, the historical context of bilingualism, and colonial influences on language forms in 17th century India.
3) Grammar:
The book under review is centered on the grammar of the Hindūstānī language, as penned by Jean Josua Ketelaar in the 17th century, providing a detailed analysis and linguistic context through the historical lens.
4) India:
'India' is the primary geographical focus where Ketelaar worked for the East India Company and compiled his Hindūstānī grammar, reflecting the linguistic landscape and colonial dynamics of 17th century India.
5) Book:
The 'Book' reviewed is a three-volume study on the oldest written grammar of Hindūstānī by Ketelaar, shedding light on linguistic, historical, and colonial aspects in North India.
6) Error:
Ketelaar's work contained 'errors' concerning linguistic elements like aspiration and retroflexion, which are nonetheless valuable for researchers in language processing and sociolinguistics.
7) Devanagari (Deva-nagari):
[see source text or glossary: Devanagari]
8) Persia:
Persia is mentioned in the context of Ketelaar's travels, including his mission ending in 1718, indicating the geographical breadth of his work and linguistic interactions.
9) Lexicon:
Volume 2 of the reviewed book contains Ketelaar's 'Lexicon' where the editors provide modern interpretations in Devanāgarī script along with English translations.
10) Sah:
'Shah' refers to the Mughal emperors Bahadur Shah I and Jahandar Shah to whom Ketelaar was accredited as a Dutch envoy, framing the colonial diplomatic context.
11) Central India:
'Central India' is part of the regions where Ketelaar traveled extensively during his time with the East India Company, gathering linguistic data.
12) Communication (Communicate, Communicated, Communicating):
'Communicate' highlights the value of Ketelaar's ability to engage with diverse cultures and languages, critical to his work in documenting Hindūstānī grammar.
13) Rajasthan:
'Rajasthan' is another region where Ketelaar traveled, contributing to his varied linguistic inputs while compiling the Hindūstānī grammar.
14) Etymology:
'Etymology' is relevant in the context of Ketelaar's comparative-historical method, where he analyzed and compared Persian, Dutch, and Latin words.
15) Merchant:
Ketelaar advanced to the position of 'senior merchant' in the East India Company, his travels and postings enriching his linguistic knowledge documented in his grammar work.
16) Politics:
'Politics' influences linguistic decisions in the book, such as the choice of Devanāgarī script for modern standard Hindī forms, suggesting political rather than purely linguistic motivations.
17) Pakistan:
Ketelaar addresses the linguistic landscape of modern 'Pakistan,' where Hindustānī or its variants like Urdū are spoken, influenced by his historical grammar work.
18) Lucknow:
The only existing manuscript of Ketelaar’s work was copied by Isaac van der Hoeve in 'Lucknow' in 1698, indicating the manuscript's Indian origins.
19) Nature:
The book offers insights into the 'nature' of 17th-century bilingualism/multilingualism in India, as seen through Ketelaar’s detailed and diverse linguistic compilation.
20) Window:
The grammar provides a 'window' to view historical perspectives on language, society, and colonial interactions in 17th-century India, emphasizing its time capsule aspect.
21) Indian:
'Indian' refers to the cultural and geographical context within which Ketelaar compiled his Hindūstānī grammar, bound like an Indian register, providing historical linguistic insights.
22) Rand:
'Raand' is cited as an incorrectly identified Persian word in Ketelaar's manuscript, with the correct form being 'rān,' highlighting the complexities of his linguistic transcription.
23) Power:
[see source text or glossary: Power]
24) Depth:
[see source text or glossary: Depth]
25) Kaul (Koul):
Professor Koul was part of the team working on transcribing Ketelaar’s manuscript, highlighting the collaborative effort in making this historical text accessible.
26) Lead:
[see source text or glossary: Lead]
27) Gold (Golden):
'Gold' metaphorically references Ketelaar’s errors in his grammar being a 'gold mine' for researchers in different linguistic fields, offering valuable insights.
28) Mind:
‘Mind’ appears in the context of interpreting Ketelaar’s intended words/phrases (target forms), crucial for understanding his linguistic approach in the grammar manuscript.
29) Inci (Imci):
The manuscript consists of 144 pages of 10-by-16 'inch' paper, bound similarly to an Indian register, reflecting the historical document's physical attributes.
30) Chan:
'Chan' refers to Ketelaar’s misinterpretation of the Persian word 'irādat xān,' showcasing the challenges of accurate transcription and translation in historical grammar.