Tr^ *

Kegan Paul, Trench,

AND CO.. LTD.
Oriental & African Booksetter
39 NEW OXFORD ST.,
LONDON. W.C.I.
PEOGRESSIVE GKAMMAE
OP COMMON TAMIL
BY

THE EEV. A. H. ARDEN, M.A.

PUBLISHED AND SOLD BY THE SOCIETY FOE PROMOTING CHRISTIAN

KNOWLEDGE, 17 CHURCH STREET, VEPERY, MADRAS

1910

(All rights reserved)

 PREFACE
SEVERAL years' experience in teaching Tamil to the members
of the Indian Civil Service at Cambridge has made the
author increasingly to feel the need that exists for a Tamil

Grammar, written on the same general system as the

Telugu Grammar, which he published, when in Madras,
in the year 1873, and which has for long been adopted
as the textbook for the I.-C.S., as well as by the various
Missionary Societies, working in the Telugu Country.
The author is far from undervaluing the works which
have already been published on the same subject. The
student of Tamil must ever feel grateful to Dr. Pope, who
has done so much to promote the study of this interesting

language. But excellent as Dr. Pope's Tamil Handbook

is, for its own particular purpose, being written on the
Ollendorf system, it necessarily presents the grammar of

the language in a somewhat broken and piecemeal form.

There appears, therefore, to be a real need for an addi-
tional book in the English language, giving a compact
outline of Tamil Grammar and this need the author has
;

now endeavoured to supply.

The Tamil Grammar of the Kev. C. T. E. Ehenius supplies
the want to some extent ; but not only is it almost out
of print, but it needs revision and rearrangement; and
as many years have passed since it was published, ad-

ditional light has been thrown upon the language, and

great improvements have been made in Tamil type.

2047445
 The object of this book is to present the reader with

grammar of common Tamil only, as it is correctly spoken

and written. In ordinary conversation and writing several

vulgarisms and colloquialisms are used. These can easily

be mastered by observation, and by intercourse with the

people of the country and therefore they are only briefly

;

noticed in these pages. When once the correct forms and

expressions known, vulgarisms and colloquialisms can

are

easily be recognized and understood.

After mastering this Grammar, the student will then be
in a position to proceed to the study of the higher dialect,
and to the perusal of Native Grammars. It is in the

higher dialect that Tamil poetry, and some also of the

Native prose works, are written. So different is it from

the common dialect, that a person who only knows the

latter, cannot understand the former. It requires, there-

fore, separate treatment, and practically forms a distinct

branch of study.
It is hardly necessary to add that the Native Grammars
were composed for those who were already well acquainted
with common Tamil as their own vernacular ; and hence
they are written in Tamil, and deal with the higher dialect.
However useful therefore to advanced students, they are
not adapted for teaching common Tamil to Europeans.

In this, as in the Telugu Grammar, the special effort

of the author has been to adopt a strictly progressive

system ;
in other words not to introduce matter which
practically implies a knowledge of Tamil which has not
been as yet imparted ; and on the other hand, only to

give such information as is absolutely required at the

stage at which the student has arrived. Strict attention

to this principle, while it makes the book much easier

to study, must be pleaded as an excuse for any features

in the arrangement of the subject-matter, which may at

first sight strike the reader as somewhat peculiar. As

instances of this, may be mentioned the explanation in

para. 68 of the pronunciation of the first consonant, after the

explanation of several letters which precede it in the alphabet

the insertion of syntax in Chapter VI ^bhe reservation

of information to the supplementary Chapter XI, etc.

Though, in some instances, it might have been advisable

somewhat to alter the terms used, e. g. the word stem

in many places for the word root, etc., yet to prevent
any confusion, the author has thought it best to retain
those terms which have been already adopted in his own

Telugu Grammar, and in the Tamil works of Dr. Pope.

The examples given have been chiefly selected from the
textbooks prescribed for the I.C.S. examinations.
The first chapter, on the alphabet and orthography, may
to be somewhat long, and to be written in
perhaps seem
a style, which strictly speaking, may not be quite suited
to the pages of a Grammar. But after some years of

experience in teaching Tamil, the author has found that,

owing to the peculiarities of the Tamil language, the sys-
tem here adopted is at once the easiest and the shortest.
He therefore does not hesitate to insert it. It enables
the student; with the indispensable assistance of a quali-
fied teacher, to acquire the power to read and to pronounce

Tamil correctly, which is the first great and essential step

in mastering the language.

Much time and labour have been spent upon the verbs
and the rules for the formation of their tenses. All the

verbs in Winslow's Dictionary have been collected and

arranged under rules; and thus a regular classification

has been made, which, when once mastered, will give the
student a clear^and comprehensive view of the subject.
 A copious index, both in Tamil and English, is given
at the end of the book, and will be found most useful

for reference.

A few introductory remarks are added in reference to

the Tamil language, and the manner in which it should
be acquired.
The languages of Southern India, of which Tamil is the

most important, are termed Dravidian. The principal mem-

bers of this group of languages are

(1) Tamil. This is the vernacular of about thirteen

millions of people, who principally inhabit the country

on the Eastern side of the Ghauts from Madras to Cape

Comorin, South Travancore on the Western side of the

Ghauts, and also the Northern parts of Ceylon.

(2) Malayalam. This is closely akin to Tamil. It is

the vernacular of about five millions of people, who principally

inhabit the country on the Western side of the Ghats,
from Mangalore to Trivandrum.
(3) TelugU. This is next to Tamil in importance, from

which it differs very considerably. It uses an entirely

distinct written character ; and introduces the Sanskrit

aspirates, which Tamil does not. It is the vernacular of

about seventeen millions of people, who principally inhabit
the country stretching North from Madras to the confines
of Bengal, and far inland into the heart of the Dekhan.

(4) Canarese. This language is closely akin to Telugu.

It is the vernacular of about eight millions of people,
who principally inhabit Mysore and Canara.
While, on the one hand, it
may truly be said that
no can be properly mastered with-
oriental living language

out a residence in the country where it is spoken, yet, on

the other hand, the author believes, that if a suitable

teacher can be procured, it is of the highest value, especially

for an Indian Civilian, to study the language for a time,
before he leaves his own country. The novelty of oriental

life, the new scenes around him, the trials of the climate,
the heat, the lassitude which is often felt by one new
to the country, added to official calls, the requirements of

society in the presidency town, the journey to an up-

country station, the civilities that have again to be gone
through there, the settling down to a new home, and the
effort to learn some of the official duties that will ere

long devolve upon him, all these are very serious hin-

drances to steady work with the rudiments of a language,

and often greatly impede the progress of the young Civilian
Whereas, if the rudiments of the language have been
thoroughly mastered at home, much of the drudgery work
will have been already surmounted, everyday rapid prog-
ress will be made after arrival in India, and the acquisition
of the language will be a pleasure rather than a toil.

In learning Tamil the motto of the student, especially at

first, should be 'Quality not Quantity". A little thoroughly

mastered, is of much more value than a far larger quan-

tity Some, by being too rapid at first,

only half learnt.
bring upon themselves the great extra trouble of having
to unlearn faulty pronunciations.

The student should, from the very beginning, provide

himself with a pocket-book, and enter into it all the Tamil
words which he finds in the early chapters of this book,
with their English meaning placed opposite to them.
These he should carefully commit to memory, and con-

stantly repeat. They will form a most useful vocabulary

of common Tamil words, the acquisition of which is of

primary importance in learning a living language. After

the mind has been stored with a well-learnt vocabulary,
it will be found useful to enter in the pocket-book a
number of common sentences illustrating the words in the

vocabulary, and these also should be carefully committed

to memory.
The student should daily practise Tamil handwriting,
by writing copies at first of Tamil letters, and afterwards
of Tamil words and sentences.

It only remains for the author very heartily to thank

the kind friends who have rendered him much valuable

assistance in the preparation of this work. They are too

many to mention individually, but he cannot pass over in

silence the names of A. K. Hutchins, Esq., I.C.S., and
F. Brandt, Esq., I.C.S., Lecturer in Tamil and Telugu at the
University of Cambridge. The former has been most kind
in correcting the manuscript for the press, and the latter

has most carefully read the book whilst in preparation,

and offered many very useful suggestions.

MALVEBN, A. H. ARDEN
1891.

N.B. The author will be greatly obliged for any cor-

rections, suggestions, criticisms, etc., which may strike the
reader as he goes through this work. They can be sent
either through the publishers, or direct to his private
address Curborough, Great Malvern. They would be of
much value in preparing a second edition.
 CONTENTS
Chapter I. On the alphabet and orthography.
Chapter II. Eules concerning the combination, insertion,
and changes of Tamil letters.
Chapter III. On nouns, pronouns, and adjectives.
Chapter IV. On numerals, postpositions, conjunctions,
adverbs, and interjections.

Chapter V. On the imperative mood, and the tenses of

verbs.

Chapter VI. On syntax.

'

Chapter VII. On the infinitive mood, the verbal participle,

relative participles, participal nouns, affixes

attached to relative participles, and verbal

nouns.

Chapter VIII. On the negative form of verbs, passive verbs,

reflexive verbs, and causal verbs.

Chapter IX. On auxiliary verbs, conditional sentences, the

optative mood, certain parts of the verb en

to say, and on the principal parts of

a Tamil verb.

Chapter X. On the uses of the several tenses combinate

forms of the tenses and participles certain
uses of the verbal participle translation of
Tamil and English intensive verbs and
on the idiomatic uses of several verbs.

Chapter XI. Supplementary information.

Chapter XII. Appendices.
Index in English and Tamil.
2
 CHAPTER I
On the Alphabet and Orthography

1. Before commencing this chapter, the student should

read the preface, and especially the introductory remarks,
which form the conclusion of the preface.
2.This chapter shows the system on which Tamil is

written, and explains the pronunciation of the various let-

ters, so far as it is advisable to attempt to do so on

paper. It must from the first be clearly understood that

it is impossible to explain correctly through the medium
of the English language, all the exact shades of pronun-
ciation that occur in the Tamil letters, and in their various

combinations. It ispresupposed that the student has the

assistance of a competent teacher, and without such as-

sistance it is better for him not to attempt to study Tamil

for colloquial purposes. With such assistance, it is un-

necessary in these pages to do more than give a general

description of the sounds of the Tamil letters, leaving the
more delicate shades of pronunciation to be communicated

by oral instruction.

3. When learning to write Tamil, great care must be

taken to form the letters in the proper manner. Watch
the teacher as he writes each letter, and notice carefully
how he forms it. Theoretically there is no difference be-
tween the forms of the Tamil letters in printing and in
handwriting ; but, as a matter of fact, the printed letters
 12

naturally assume a somewhat more uniform and sharply

cut shape; whereas in handwriting they are more rounded
off, and somewhat less sharply denned. The native running

hand need not be studied till a considerable knowledge of

the language has been acquired.
4. When learning to read and to speak Tamil, the

greatest attention must be paid to pronunciation. There

are several sounds which do not exist in English and the ;

meaning of a word not unfrequently depends upon the

hard or soft pronunciation of a consonant. Mark carefully
the teacher's pronunciation repeat each letter and each
;

word after him several times ;

and speak clearly, distinctly,
in a loud voice, and with the head well up, and the
shoulders thrown back.

SECTION 1
5. In Tamil there are twelve vowels, and eighteen
consonants.
6. The twelve Tamil vowels are given in the follow-
ing table, with
approximate sounds in English, as
their

they are sounded in the Tamil alphabet.

7. The second, fourth, sixth, eighth, and eleventh vowels
are the lengthened sounds of the short vowels which im-

mediately precede them. The short vowels are pronounced

somewhat more abruptly than the corresponding English
sounds.
8. All the Tamil long vowels have a drawling pronun-
ciation, which is not used in English, and therefore cannot

be exactly rendered by the English examples given below.

Thus, for instance, 57 has the sound of the French e in

meme.
9. resembles the sound of u in up, (or of final a in China.)
^jjy

U a father. (Para. 8.)

 13

resembles the sound of i in ink.

(j)
or FT ee ,, eel. (Para. 8.)

g u full.

sxsrr u June. (Para. 8.)

<5T e ember.

,57
a ache. (Para. 8.)

gg the word eye.

,,
o in police.
6p
<s?> ,,
o opium. (Para. 8.)
ou ounce.
<QSfT
10. There are no Tamil vowels which have the exact
sounds of the English a in pan or of the English o in
hot. Great care must be taken not to give these sounds
to <JV and 5&. One of the most common and ruinous faults
in an Englishman's pronunciation is to pronounce =jy like
a in pan. Hence it is better from the first to associate =gy
with the sound of u in up, although it might be equally
well represented by final a in China. When transliter-

ating, it is better to represent =ay by &.

SECTION 2
11. In order to explain the Tamil consonants, at first

a few only of them will be given which present no diffi-

and with them the general system

culties in pronunciation,

of Tamil writing and reading will be illustrated. The re-

mainder of the consonants will then be given, some of
which present special difficulties in pronunciation.
12. As a consonant cannot be sounded without tbe help
of a vowel, it is necessary to introduce the sound of a

vowel, in order to pronounce the consonants in any alpha-

bet. Thus, in English, the sounds of the vowels e and
a respectively are introduced to pronounce the consonants
 14

b and k, as be, ka. In pronouncing the consonants in the

Tamil alphabet, the sound of the vowel <jy is uniformly
introduced. It is not written, but understood hence the :

vowel =*y is considered as inherent in each of the eighteen

Tamil consonant forms. Thus, for instance, the six Tamil

consonants &, u, LD, T, so, ssr, are pronounced ka, pa, md, rd,

la, nd. (Para. 10.) These six consonants must be thoroughly

learnt, before proceeding farther.

13. When it is required to denote the entire absence

of any vowel sound, or, in other words, to denote that

the consonant is mute, a dot is placed over the conso-

nant. Thus the English word up would be written in
Tamil letters jytJ; and the English words pun, rum, run,
would be written ussr, <JLO, ar&sr. When it is necessary to
name mute consonant, the vowel 3) is sounded before
a
it. Thus when speaking of the mute consonants -a, u, LD,
,T, so, sin, they are called $&, ju, ^LQ, J).7, $ei>, ^&sr.
Learn the following Tamil words, LOJL& a tree, u&&ii> a side,
<sr&ff
my, tL-sa
cjyLjL/Lo bread, thy.
14. The following is a most important rule to remember.
When Tamil consonants are doubled, they are pronounced
much more strongly and distinctly than in English. Com-
pare the pronunciation of the English word upper with that
of the Tamil word ^UULD bread.

15. When a word begins with <sr or j, these vowels

usually take a sound of y. Thus GresrsBT What ? and <ussr

Why? are usually pronounced yenna and yen. Initial $

and FF also sometimes take the y sound. Thus }ji~&&u>
mercy, is often pronounced yirakkam instead of irakkam.

16. In Tamil there are no capital letters. The vowels

given in para. 9 are called the initial forms of the vowels,
because they can only be used to begin a word. In all other

positions the vowel takes a different form called th secondary

 15

form of the vowel which is combined with each of the

consonant forms, so that the two together make what

is called a compound letter. For example, the secondary
form of ) is O which, in the case of most letters, is placed
at the top of the consonant form with which it is combined ;

thus JD combined with & becomes the compound letter Q

Id. The dot, being only placed over a consonant when it

is mute, disappears when the secondary form of any vowel

is attached to the consonant. The next step is to learn

the secondary form of each of the twelve vowels.

17. The vowel =gy has no secondary form, because it is

inherent in each consonant form (para. 12). The absence

of the dot, which would make the vowel mute (para. 13),
implies the presence of ^', as &, u, LO, cr, <s\), ssr. Exam-
inssnJb the mind, u<si> many.
ples <so a stone,
18. The secondary form of ^ is ir, which is
placed
immediately after the consonant form ; thus a combined
with ^ becomes &rr kff. In the same manner are formed

uir, CD-T,
a- IT, so/r. In the case of three letters, all of which
will be given hereafter, the secondary form of <gg is ^j,
which is written underneath the letter from
right to left.

Thus <5st combined with =g becomes <g). Examples /rco

a urreti milk, &ir<5tiu> time, LDTSST a 8 t ag

leg, i

19. The secondary forms of ) and (j? (or AF) are

""
and respectively, which, in most instances, are placed
at the top of the consonant form as Q, i3l, iS, ifi, e, ;

<ssFl, and 8, 8, &, f, etf, .

Examples 6afl
yet, i^ear
after, issr a fish, L&ssrsjmffO
lightning (para. 14).
20. The secondary forms of e_ and ar present several
variations. They are of three kinds, namely (1) A curve
passing below the letter from right to left for e_, and a
circle added to it for &SSL ;
thus, when combined with these
vowels, LZ and ^ become q.p, (Lp, and (tfj, ^. The letter
 16

a? becomes (5 and A. (irregular) (2) A short downward

stroke for e_, and a curve added to v
it for sc thus u
;

becomes L/ and y, (3) A loop under the letter ending at

the right side of it for e_, and rr attached to it for ear:

thus so and ssr become jja, &>tr, and &JH, j32/r. Examples
Lje a tiger, (^tc/rjsar a son, <*.dJ wages, L^ a flower.
21. When the vowel e- ends a word, it is pronounced
very softly and slightly ;
as ussrsgi a tax, _L/L/ salt (para.

14), 5&C/5
one.

22. The secondary forms of GT and & are O and G?

respectively, which are placed immediately before the con-

sonant as Qa, Ou. QLG, Or, Qeo, Ossr ; and G?, <3u. Qu>,
;

Qa~, G?so, Qesr. Examples QLDSO slowly, QLD&) upon, <2ae9

calumny.
23. The secondary form of 83 is t>, which is placed
immediately before the consonant ; as <ss>a, <ss>u, <SS>LD, enrr.

In the case of four letters, which will be given hereafter,

the secondary form of co is $; thus, when compounded
with 5, the letters s and ssr become &o and &BT.

24. The vowel 85 has the full sound of the English

word eye, only when it occurs in a word of one syllable, or

in the first syllable of a word ; as ss>u a bag, sv><s&(3j to the
hand. In all other positions, and especially at the end of
a word, it is pronounced almost like 57. with a slight sound
of y in it.
Compare the sound of ei in the English word
neighbour. To prevent confusion, and mistakes in spelling,
it will be best for the beginner to pronounce c8. when
not in the first syllable of a word, like the in fight.

Examples kffisr a cat, Qu(Tfjss>L> greatness, e-sar&ar thee,

SLtLszoLfi
you. (Para. 14.)
25. The secondary forms of <sp
and & are O and G?

respectively, placed immediately before the consonant, and

IT
placed immediately after it; as Q<s/r, QUIT, QLDIT, QUIT,
 17

Qs\)/r and (Satr, QUIT, (2u>/r, Qitr, Gedtr. The three letters
which take
^ instead of /r as the secondary form of ay

(para. 18) retain this form also in the secondary forms of

5& and s&. Thus, when combined with these vowels, ear

becomes Q<6&) G(g).

and Examples Qds/r&o murder Gutrsar
QLornr buttermilk.
gold, (Para. 28), QUIT go (thou).
26. The secondary form of s^str
is O prefixed to the

consonant, and srr affixed to it ; as Q^srr, Qusrr, QLUSIT, QVGIT,

Qssrsrr. 'SiMsnssnJb silence.
Qstisir, Example
27. All the secondary forms of the vowels have now been
explained; and it has been shown how they are united with
each of the six consonants &, u, LT>, n, eti,
<ss\ to form

compound letters. (Para. 16.) Thoroughly learn the following

table of compound letters in horizontal lines, and write them
out.

U LJIT iSl l3 Lj
L Ou (aU 6V>U QufT QuT OufffT

L> r,T i_S /n Pir\ QlLD QuMT 0LDSW

I
np (?LO 65>i> (a>L>T

T yfr ffl i?
Qfj
HR GIJ QT s3)/r Q-J/T (J/r/r Qnsn
s\) so/r eiS) siP jp; jy/r OffO (Jso ^o Qso/r Qeorr Os\}<sir

S3T
^3J Sa/7 63T Jaffa 63}fT QsST (oSST OotST 0(C3) Q$58\ OSOTSIT

28. (a) The consonant ^ is usually written rr, that is,

without the little stroke at the right foot of the letter,

except where it might be mistaken for the secondary form

of ^t> > as efi1 ^ a village, /f/f
you, atfl charcoal but LATLQ
;

a tree, etc.

(b) The letter /r

always has a distinct r sound, and
must not be slurred as it often is in English (not in Scotch).

Notice the difference in pronunciation between the English

words near, par, Parker, and the Tamil words &ir you,
Lj/r/r look (thou), urriraG to look.

29. When a Tamil word has both long and short vowels,
a certain amount of emphasis naturally falls upon the long,
3
 18

as in the word (^Lo/rjsar

a son. But when all the vowels

in a word are short, or all long, the emphasis is always

thrown upon the first syllable. In many English words
the emphasis is thrown upon the second syllable, as in the
words support, refresh, corrupt. Great care must be taken
not to do this in Tamil ;
but the emphasis must always be
thrown upon the first syllable as u>7/i a tree, ^gguuLj send
;

(thou). Compare the pronunciation of the Tamil word <jysw/r

he with the English word aver.

SECTION 3
30. Thus far six only of the consonants have been given.
The next two steps are (1) to learn all the eighteen Tamil
consonants in their proper order; and (2) to learn the way
in which each of these consonants is combined with each of

the secondary forms of the twelve vowels. It will be found

best to learn these two steps together ; for some of the

consonants are rather difficult to pronounce, and their

pronunciation will be far more easily acquired by sounding

them with each of the vowel forms in succession.
The following table of compound letters must now be
carefully learnt in horizontal lines. The top line gives the
initial forms of the twelve vowels. The first perpendicular
column gives the eighteen consonants in their proper order.
Each horizontal line of compound letters shows the combi-
nation of the consonant which begins the line with each of
the secondary forms of the vowels. The following table of
compound letters is divided into four parts, which must

be learnt separately. Whilst learning each part, the notes

on that particular part (para. 31, etc.) must be carefully
studied. The next part must not be commenced, until
the preceding part has been thoroughly mastered together
with the notes upon it.
 19

,
 20

O O j
<3 o <3 G
a
O

& I I I I fe

K e
J d d J j G

GOG G G o I
 21

NOTES ON THE COMPOUND LETTERS

31. PART I. The letter a has the sound of A; in kill; as

&&> a stone. It has also other sounds which will be ex-

plained hereafter (paras. 68 71).

32. The nasal tea has the sound of nga ; but it is
always
mute (except in compounds of the rare word itassnty
: When
following this letter, the consonant -SB
always takes a g

sound ;
as jy/B<2<35 there, jJg)/E7(2<s here, <orr&Ga where ?

(Para. 15.)
33. The sound of the letter <& varies in different parts

of the Tamil country. For the present, it will be sufficient

to regard it as
equivalent to the English letter s in sun ;

as U& a cow, g)jvr*/r a king :

(para. 64).
34. The nasal letter <gj has a soft sound of gnya ; as

(toTjir
sin L> wisdom. It only combines with the vowels *&j, ^,
<sr, and 5^.

35.PART II. In pronouncing some of the Tamil con-

sonants, much depends upon the right position of the

tongue. The annexed diagram, if carefully studied, will

be found of much assistance. In it y represents the upper

lip ;
a the front tooth in the upper row ; b. b. b. the roof

of the mouth ; c the angle or ridge in the roof of the mouth,

just above the back of the top row of front teeth.

36. Figure 1, below the ridge marked c, shows the

of the tongue strikes
place where the upper side of the tip
the roof of the mouth in pronouncing the English
against
letters d, n, I, t, as in do, not, lip, tin, and the Tamil

letters so and n, as in L/S$ a tiger, ussr^u a tax.

37. The letter <_ has a very hard metallic d sound, which
is not found in English. pronounced by curling back
It is

the tongue, down the throat and striking the under side of the
tip of it
against the roof of the mouth, at the point marked 3

in the diagram, i. e. above the ridge in the roof of the mouth

marked c. Carefully pronounce the following words u/r
suffering, sir a jungle (para. 21), UITL^LO a lesson, ui$- learn

(thou), >u}-
seize (thou), Gar give (thou), =gysj>i_ obtain

(thou).
38. The curling back of the tongue to pronounce L_ (and
other kindred letters) often gives to the preceding vowel a
somewhat broader sound than it otherwise has. Thus the FT-

in FT- a pledge sounds something like the English (not

Scotch) pronunciation of the word ear ;

57 in 57 a page of a
book sounds something like air; (?<$ in (2<55 ruin sounds

something like care.

39. In English, the letters th have two distinct sounds
(a] as in the words thought, thumb, thigh, where they have
a pure th sound; and (b) as in the words though, thus, thy,
where they have almost the sound of dh. (No English word
begins with the letters dh.) When pronouncing these letters,

the tip of the tongue is in both cases placed at the edge of

the top row of front teeth.
In Tamil, the letter p
has two distinct sounds, namely th

and dh. They are pronounced with tho tongue in the same
 23

position as in making the two corresponding English sounds

of th, mentioned above; but there is this great difference
between the English and Tamil pronunciation. In English
the tip of the tongue does not press against the edge of the
front teeth, but a current of air passes between them. This
is somewhat less the case in pronouncing words which have
a sound of dh, as though, thus, thy ; yet in these words too
it is done to some extent. But in pronouncing the Tamil p,
whether with a th or dh sound, the tip of the tongue always
presses against the edge of the front teeth, and is then
suddenly withdrawn, and no current of air passes between
them.
40. (a) The letter p (as will be explained in para. 53),
when it is the first letter in a word, or is doubled, takes a th
sound ; as Qj5(Tfj a street, C^/rso leather, ap^jl a knife, upgp
ten. Compare the difference in pronunciation between the
English word thin, and the Tamil word Sjlesr eat (thou). In
the alphabet, p is pronounced with the th sound.
(&) The letter,^ (as will be explained in para. 53),
when stands singly in the middle or end of a word, takes a
it

dh sound as urrpLo the foot, &IT&I the ear, =jy^7 that (thing),
;

^)^f this (thing), OT^ which (thing) ? Compare the slight

difference in pronunciation between the English words yea
though and the Tamil word QiuGpir.
41. Mark most carefully the difference in sound between
i and ^. Compare the pronunciation of the following words :

a jungle. C UITL^U^ a lesson,

the ear. \urr<Lo the foot.

42. As regards pronunciation, the English letters d and t

(as in do, take) bold a middle position between the Tamil

letters, being not so hard as i, and not so soft as <. Great

care must be taken to get the correct pronunciation of these

letters in Tamil; for they form one of the peculiarities of the

 24

language, and as seen above, the meaning of a word sometimes

depends upon the hard or soft pronunciation.

43. The letter sssr as a very hard metallic n sound, which

isnot found in English. In pronouncing it, the tongue is

placed in exactly the same position, as in pronouncing i

See para. 37. Examples USSSTGISSH make thou, &6sn&(ff) an

account (para. 21),
&SBST the eye, ^j^sssr an oath (para. 24),
Quswr a woman (para. 38), USSSTLC money. Compare the
pronunciation of the two words usssrssv)} make thou, and
uGSTGgii a tax.

44. The letter K has theoretically a softer sound than

<ssr. The pronounced just like the English n, but
latter is

/5 is pronounced with the tongue in the same position as in

pronouncing 5. See para. 39. Examples rtrr&sr I, /5/rii

we, /
you (para. 28), rt/fl a jackal.
thou, /f/r /Woso good.

45. PART III. The consonants u, u>, <r. so have already

been explained, and illustrated. The letter ILI has the sound
of the English y; as snuiLiesr a boy. The letter su has a

very soft v sound, something between the English letters v

and w ;
as G?si/ck\) work, sSl^ffO a finger, sinsu^^iLieJsr (pa.ra.

24) a physician, ^sustsr he, airajev guard.

46. PART IV. The sound of the letter tp is very pe-
culiar. The tongue is curled back, as in pronouncing i

or ajar
;
but it does not touch the palate, and a peculiar

sound between y and r is made between the tongue and the

palate. Owing to the difficulty in pronouncing this letter, in

some parts of the Tamil country it is vulgarly pronounced

like ILI, and in other parts like GIT, which is explained in
the next paragraph. Examples LASMLP rain, uipub fruit,

zuy9 a way, <oT(t>^^i writing, Sip (para. 38) under.

47. The letter srr has a hard metallic sound of I, not
found English. in It
pronounced by placing the is

tongue in exactly the same position as in pronouncing i

 25

(para. 37). Examples <gj6)jsir she, w/rsrr a day,

low land, tr>j/E/<&srr
(para. 32) trees, LSlsnSsrr a child, <2<a;srr

hear (thou), Qa^fE/ssir hear (ye). In connexion with the

pronunciation of the last three words, read para. 38.

48. Compare the pronunciation of the following words :

time. (Lf&fl tamarind.

work. \ Lf*& a tiger.
( .SSYT
toddy (a drink). fQsr/rerr
take (thou).

^3 a stone. [O^/r^o kill (thou).

49. The letter p, has a rough sound of r, as in the English
word hurrah. Theoretically it has a rougher sound than <r,
but practically little difference is made in the pronunciation

of these two letters. In writing, it is most important to

<asffi means
distinguish carefully between them ;
thus charcoal,
but &{Sl means curry. Examples /5/rsar
uif-aQG^tssr, I am
learning ; ^jeussr uuf-&*(ysr, he is learning ; cjysusrr uty.

&S(ysir, she is learning.

50. The letter <ssr has already been explained in para. 44.
The table of compound letters given in para. 30, should
now be read over several times. When doing so, the two

following points must be carefully noted

51. (1) The letters <6tRt), Qy,
and take a curve below @
them, instead of rr, as the secondary form of =j^.
Hence
with the secondary forms of ^ and <p they become 0(633),

(5(633); Q(iy, Q(y\ and <2<ss), G^B).

52. (2) The four following letters take the secondary form
of c8 in a peculiar manner namely cbo, (far, 'Bm, and Ssosr.
;

SECTION 4
ON THE VARYING SOUNDS OF THE TAMIL CONSONANTS
53. The letter p takes a soft th sound (para. 40), when
it is the first letter in a word, or is mute, or is doubled ; as
a mother, UjSjgi ten. But when it comes in the middle

4
 or end of a word, not being mute or doubled, it takes a
soft dh sound (para. 39), as LDsoflpear a man, ^y/5^ that,

^D/5^ this, <oT'^ which ?

(adjectival) (para. 15).
54. In some words, introduced from Sanscrit or some
foreign language, initial ^ is sometimes pronounced dh
when it is
pronouncedso in the original language from
which the word is taken; as Qpeuesr (Dhevan) a god,
SITLALO charity (para. 28).
55. The letter i has a hard d sound (para. 37) ; as
uTiLD a lesson, GIT a jungle. But when it is mute or

doubled, it has a hard t sound ; as ^/_!_L/ friendship, <su L_C_U;

an assembly.
56. No pure Tamil word begins with /_, but there
are a few words introduced from other languages, espe-
cially from Hindustani, which commence with this letter.

In such words, i has the sound of d or t

according
to the sound of the letter in the original language; as
iiruLj (Dappu) a list. When the initial letter has the sound

oft, it is sometimes written double; as L-iTttr) or

L.i^r,^
(tana) a police station.
57. Compare the pronunciation of the
following words
fuiL silk. ( a0il having left.
(Participle.)

}^uB3j}
ten. \<s9f5&i seed.
58. When p is doubled, they take the exact sound of the

English letters tt as (&)ppii> a fault <sfr

rojyj wind.
; ;
Compare
the pronunciation of the
following three words <s/r/J_

(genitive case) of the jungle, srrp^u wind, air^^gi (participle)

having watched. Compare also the two words ^LLss)i_
(accusative case) a sheep, and ^pstnr) (accusative a case)
river. (Some Tamil people insert a sound of r, when pro-
nouncing pp^)
59. When p is mute, it may take the sound of t ; but it

is also pronounced with the sound of r. Thus ^pp. to

 27

it
may be pronounced adhdtku ;
but it is also frequently
pronounced ddharku.
60. When /D is preceded by sr, the sound of d is inserted
between them; thus <OT^M (participle) having said, is

pronounced endru.
61. When & is preceded by (g> 7 it takes a j sound, as

u(^3r (punju) cotton.

62. In some words introduced from other languages, initial

& takes a.j sound, when it is so pronounced in the original

language ; as fssrib (janam) people, fssrsyrsv (jannal) a window.

63. The letter & takes a sound like the ch in church,

when it is mute or doubled ;

as ^fsmf desire. (Para. 24.)
It also takes this sound, when preceded by il or /D; as

<frrLL& a witness, Q.pujp& an effort.

6-i. The above rules regarding & are observed in all parts
of the Tamil country; but in the case of words not coming
under these rules, the -f somewhat varies.
pronunciation of
Thus it is sometimes pronounced like the s in sun (para. 33),
and sometimes it is pronounced with a peculiar sound of

sh, made by placing the tip of the tongue against the roots
of the lower row of front teeth. (It is then pronounced

like the Telu^,u 3".)

In the case of Sanscrit words introduced
into Tamil, some maintain that & should be pronounced

according to tha sound of the corresponding letter in the

original Sanscrit. Hence they pronounce the & in GP&LO,

a country, as sh, and the & in <ffil\Liir& a hermit, like

the English s in sun.

65. The letter u has a p sound when it

begins a word,
or is mute, or is doubled, or is preceded by /_!_ or rb'
} as
UVL-IM a lesson, <fupu> a sound, ^fuutsf. in that way,
^LLt-j

friendship, iStpuir after. (Para. 59.)

66. The letter u has a soft 6 sound, when it occurs in
the middle or end of a word, not being mute, or doubled,
 28

or preceded by L! or p', as <pstr>u an assembly, i3ls3n^ after,

fLDUstrili wages.

67. In some words introduced from other languages,

initial u usually takes a b sound, when it is so pronounced
in the original language ;
as utuu> (bayam) fear, LJ<^} (buth-thi)

wisdom. Thus UG&I with a p sound means a ball, but

with a b sound ic means a relation UTGULA with ; a p sound
means sin, and with a b sound it means thought.
68. The letter has a k sound, when it begins a word,
or is mute, or is doubled or is preceded by tL. or <b; as

a knife, u&$ (para. 67) reverence, U&&LO a side,

bashfulness, .s/ra^dSTJW a watchman. (Para. 59.)

69. When s is preceded by IB or ear
(para. 32), it has
a pure g sound ; as ^iHiQ<s there, jSlssrSQiDssr I am eating.
70. When & comes in the middle or end of a word,
not being mute nor doubled, nor preceded by LL, p, isi,

or SST, it is often pronounced, specially in Madras, with a

simple g sound : but in other parts, specially in Tinne-

velly, it takes an aspirate sound of gh. The exact pro-

nunciation can only be learnt from the teacher. Exam-
ples LJD&SST a sou, sy/r^dssar a merchant. This letter is

used to represent the Sanscrit h ; as LoSsapLo glory.

71. In a few words introduced from other languages,

initial & takes the sound of g, when it is so pronounced
in the original language ;
as asarub (ganam) honour,
a religious teacher.

SECTION 5
GENERAL NOTES UPON THE TAMIL LETTERS
72. Bead paras. 15, 21, and 24, and 14.

73. For the vowel fpsir (para. 26), the two letters

are often substituted ; thus OLosrrajru) is often written

ssnsi silence.
 29

74. It will be noticed that in such words as

there is a little ambiguity, for srr
might also stand for
the letter I.
(Para. 47.)
75. The exact sound of a vowel is often somewhat
affected by the pronunciation of the consonant which
follows it, because the tongue has to be brought into posi-
tion for giving the correct sound to the succeeding conso-
nant. The following words are illustrations Q& ruin,
a house, Qtusssi a woman, StLp under, LSlenSstr a child,

hear (thou). See paras. 38, 43, 46, and 47.

76. In a few instances custom has slightly affected the

pronunciation of a word : all such peculiarities can be easily

learnt by practice in talking the language.
77. The following is a list of the eighteen Tamil conso-
nants. When repeating them, the first ten are said in

pairs
< <F L SS3T } <5 fi LJ LQ,
fBJ, (6J, }

\u, a, so, e>J, Lp, sir, p, esr.

78. In the case of the first ten consonants, each alter-

nate consonant (&, &, i, p, u,} is followed by its own
corresponding nasal (IB, <gj, em, G, ic). It is a help to

spelling correctly to remember that the latter, when mute,

are by the former respectively as in the
always followed ;

words ^yiEiQa there, u^a- cotton, aswriiTesr he saw, ^Kp

that, ^JUJLJ an arrow.
79. A mute ILI is pronounced like y, with rather an
emphasis upon it ;
as Qfiu do (thou), Q-faj^rrssr he did
(Para. 53), KssrQytu well, properly (para. 60).
80. No Tamil word begins with IBJ, nor with any of
the last four consonants, namely 50, <sn, p, and ear. No
pure Tamil word begins with i~; but a few foreign words
have been introduced, which commence with this letter.

(Para. 56.)
 30

81. No Tamil word properly begins with >r or eo ',

but

*>_ is prefixed to words in which <r and e\) are united with

the vowels &-, &&-, $)> or eg; and Jj) is prefixed to words
in which they are united with any other vowel; as e_0
uib form, ^T&KirQ two. This initial - or ) is pronounced

very slightly, and no emphasis is made upon it.

(Para. 29.)
A few foreign words oinit these prefixed letters; as JILI^^J
a cultivator.
82. The following five letters, introduced from Sanscrit,
are used in Tamil, and make the pronunciation very clear.

They can take the secondary forms of the vowels.

sp This letter has the sound of sh in shut. The Tamil

letter used in its place is i
', as GS^ILCI (GiL-i LCI)

loss, (Lp<srrl<aL$ a native teacher.

ow This letter has the sound of s in sun. It is always

mute ;
as I~J&V^<SLC> a book, eto^st?! a woman.
(After &iv the letter p has a th sound.)
& This letter has the sound of j. The Tamil letter used
in its place is <&', as SSJTLO (^fssruri) people, ^eafl
a saddle. When combined with e_ and ass. this

letter becomes ^ and &}->; as cg^so a horsecloth.

my, This letter has the sound of ksk, being merely the
union of & and a. The Tamil letters used in its

place are i-l<5F

(para. 63) ; as Guj/r^Lb (^IMITLL^LL)

heaven.
anj This letter has the sound of h in hut. The Tamil
letter used in its place is <*
(para. 70) ;
as
affl/r>fl harm, loss.

83. N.B. The last two of these letters are not so fre-

quently used in Tamil as the first three.

84. Additional information on the subjects treated of in
this chapter, which are unnecessary for a beginner, will be

given in Chapter XI of the grammar.

 31

85. All the Tamil words given in this chapter ought

to be entered in a pocket-book, and carefully committed to

memory. In learning a living language, it is most important

to store the mind with a good vocabulary.
 CHAPTER II
Rules concerning the Combination, Insertion and
Changes of Tamil Letters
86. The following simple rules are of such constant and
universal application in Tamil, and enter so largely into the

language, and even into the formation of cases that it is neces-

sary to insert them here. The student, however, must not

spend much time upon them at first, but merely read them
carefully over, and then refer to them as occasion requires.
87. NJJ. The expression '
a word consisting of two
short open syllables' will often occur in this book. It

means, a word in which each of its two syllables has a short

vowel, and consists of a single vowel or a single compound

letter only; as $)&! this, uai- a cow. Hence it excludes such
words as <<,</ a knife, ^LJULZ bread, uigj)&- cotton, (61),

itLLi-i friendship, (65).

(A) ON WORDS ENDING IN A VOWEL

88. KULE I. With the exception of words consisting of

two short open syllables (87), all words ending in the vowel
e_, when followed by a word beginning with a vowel, drop
final -. Thus /r^7 the ear and $&) in become arjSlffi) in
the ear ; RiLi-i friendship, and $}&> in become fiLLiSeti in

friendship.
N.B. The Tamil words which answer to English preposi-

tions are affixed (not prefixed) to nouns, as in the English

words thereto, thereby, etc.
 33

89. RULE II. Words ending in -, which consist of two

short open syllables only (87), when followed by a word be-
ginning with a vowel, insert the consonant <sv. Thus ugt-
a cow and {)<s\) in, become uat-sSlGd in a cow. (N.B. The words
<={Si, D,j5J, and sr^y are exceptions to this rule and follow
Rule I).

90. RULE III. With the exception of all words ending

in e_, when a word ending in a vowel is followed by a word
beginning with a vowel, if the final vowel of the first word
be ), IT-, or ?, the consonant ILI is inserted; but if it be

any other vowel, the consonant <&i is inserted. After final

si either iu or j
may be inserted. Thus Rffl a jackal and

ffi) in become /5//?u5so in a jackal ; ^/r/r^/r a king and ^&>

in become ^jTrrffreQe\) in a king; L a flower and $)$ in

become ysSleti in a flower.

(B) ON WORDS ENDING IN A CONSONANT

91. RULE IV. When a word of one syllable, of which
the vowel is short, ends in a mute consonant, that consonant
is doubled, when followed by a word beginning with a

vowel. Thus <ff>> a stone and {jftsv in become aetieQev in

a stone.
92. RULE V. With the exception of words coming under
the preceding rule, when a word ending in a mute consonant
is followed by a word beginning with a vowel, that mute
consonant combines with the initial vowel of the word
which follows it. Thus L<SST a fish and (jfieti in become
J?63$0o in a fish ; Lneafi-Sftfr a man and $)e\) in become
Lb<saftj<5sfle\) in a man.

(C) A FEW GENERAL RULES

93. RULE VI. When a word ending in a vowel, is fol-

lowed by a word beginning with one of the consonants

5
 34

6f, <?, &, or u, this consonant is, in certain instances only,

doubled, i.e. it is inserted mute between the two words.

The principal instances in which this is done, are when
the first of the two words is

(a) <$\K3} that (adjectival), fjftifjB this, <sr^ which?

^fuuis^. in that way, (jftuuiy- in this way, Gruuiy- (72) in
which way? as sgjii><u LjeQ that tiger.

(b) A word which combines with the word which

follows it to form a compound expression; as uss-A^if
3reuir
(63) a side-wall.

(c) A word ending in the adverbial affix ^J or ^<s ;

as fts3T(yiJLi& Q&ILJ. Do (it) well.

(d) A dative case, which always ends in (5 ; as

Q<ar/r. Give (it)
to him.

(e)
An accusative case, which always ends in c8 ; as
& Q&ILJ (63). Do it.

(/) An infinitive mood, which always ends in ,jy ;

as oanfF Qfirsvgp (63). Tell (him) to come. (See also

paras. 616, 617.)
94. EULE VII. When followed by a word beginning
with &, f, &, or LJ, final <sin and si> are grammatically

changed into p ', and final stssr and sfr are changed into L!
Thus arrsueo watch, and ^/TTOTT (a masculine termination)

become as/reu/D^/r-rsar a watchman (68), /5/rgrr a day and

sstr
(the plural termination)
become ftrrLL&err days.
95. EULE VIII. Final ii before i s changed into IB.

i> n <55

ii >) r* n &
IM is dropped.
Thus LQTtx, a tree and ssrr, the plural termination, become

(32) trees ;
ufreui^ sin and Q&iijjSrresr he did become
3&tLjp<T<5sr (61). He did (or committed) sin, i. e. He
sinned.
 35

96. A few additional rules are given in the supplementary

chapter, paras. 618 to 624; but they are not necessary for
 CHAPTER III
On Nouns, Pronouns, and Adjectives

(I) ON NOUNS
ON THE TRANSLATION OF THE ENGLISH ARTICLE

97. In Tamil there are no definite and indefinite articles,

as there are in English : the English article may be regarded

as inherent in Tamil nouns. But the numeral 5^(75 one is

often used in Tamil, where in English the indefinite article a

or an is used, and specially where the English expression a

certain occurs ;
as 5^(5 <suir<<5a6sr a certain merchant. The
force of the English definite article the is sometimes expressed
in Tamil by prefixing the demonstrative adjective pronouns
that, those, or j$R& this, these.

ON THE DECLENSION OF NOUNS

98. Tamil nouns are divided into two great classes, namely
(I) rational, and (2) irrational.
99. (1) Rational Nouns, that is, nouns denoting rational
beings only, are subdivided into two classes, namely
(a) MASCULINE NOUNS. These denote gods, and men

only ;
as Q^susisr a god, gjftftpiljear the god Indra, Lo&ffl^esi

a man, Loassr a son, <5Lci5l a younger brother, @(5 a religious

teacher.

(b) FEMININE NOUNS. These denote goddesses, and

women only ; as QpsQ a goddess, $e\)L-3rifi (61 and 81) the

goddess Lakshmi, o^sir a daughter, u^SssisQ a wife.

 37

100. (2) Irrational Nouns, that is, nouns denoting ani-

mals and inanimate things, are regarded as neuter; as

all

KtriLj a dog, LDTLD B, tree. Distinct words are often used to

distinguish the sex of animals but all such words are ; still

regarded as neuter as Q&GUGV a cock, QuLLstni a hen.

;

N.B. In English also animals are often spoken of in the

neuter gender, e. g. Leviticus viii. 14, 15.
'
He brought the

bullock . . . and he slew it,' etc. In Tamil they are in-

variably regarded as neuter, except when personified in fables.

101. The word iSlsir&rr when meaning a child, and (3jLp

n<o$>p an infant are regarded as neuter, because the sex is not

specified. Compare the English expression Who is it ?

102. Tamil nouns have two Numbers (1) The Singular, and

(2) The Plural.

103. In each number there are seven Cases ; namely

(1) The nominative, the vocative, (3) the genitive, (4) the
(2)

dative, (5) the accusative, (6) the locative, (7) the instrumental.

104. N.B. In Native Grammars the cases are eight in

number, and are arranged in a different manner. Some of

these eight cases have more than one termination and ; to

the locative case no less than twenty-eight terminations are

assigned. The native form of declension is given in the

supplementary chapter (625). It will be found far easier to

learn the Tamil nouns in the form here given.

ON THE FORMATION OF CASES

105. (A) Singular Number. The nominative case sin-

gular is the noun itself ; as f>ifi a jackal, LDTLO a tree.

106. N.B. Every Tamil noun ends in one of the six

vowels ^j,, ), IT>, e_, sat, or 3, or in one of the eight mute
consonants GSST, L&, ILI, IT, en, tp, err, or esr.

107. The vocative case, is always formed from the

nominative, and usually by adding the vowel &;
Jackal !
(90).
 38

108. The remaining cases are all formed by adding certain

casal affixes to the inflectional base, by which is meant
1

that particular form of the noun that takes the casal affixes.

It is often the same as the nominative ; but it some-

times has a peculiar form of its own. Thus the inf. base
of //? is eifl ; but the inf. base of LAJLO a tree is Lt>ja>gi.

109. The genitive case takes either the pure form of

the inflectional base, or adds ^)ssr to it. To either of

these forms may be added, at pleasure, the postposition

e_63>i_<L/ of. Thus /5//? (inf. base /*//?) gen. fiifl or ftffiuSesr
or ff/fluS.flBraot-flJ (/5/flaysa>L_uj not common) a jackal's or of
a jackal (90). LCTLO a tree (inflec. base
uxijsgi) gen. Lc,T<s>g]
or u>T<$s3r or Lc(r<5p!gij5s)L-.iLi (92) a tree's or of a tree.
110. The dative case is formed by affixing a(3j to an
inflectional base ending in $), or and one
FT-, 3, &-&(3j to
ending in any other letter. Thus Rifi
(inflec. base wfi) dat.
to a jackal ;
LDJ-LD
(inflec. base /LDJ^^) dat. Lbjpgi
/5'fl<35(<5

&(3j (88) to a tree; y, a flower (inflec. base y,) dat. ^y

to a flower &<s\> a stone (inflec. base S<M) dat.
(5 (90) ;

<ssoj)3/<95(<9j (91) to a stone.

111. The accusative case, the locative case, and the

instrumental case, are formed by adding c8, @o, and ^&)

respectively to the inflectional base. Thus Kifi, (inf. base

ace. isifteBUf loc. miflaSeo, in a jackal, ins. fstfitufreo
by
/5/fl),

a jackal ; IMTLO, (inf. base Loff^j?) ace. LDtr/smfS, loc. LQJ

^^ffi) in a tree, ins. UMT^^/r9 by a tree.

112. (B) Plural Number. The plural nominative is

always formed from the singular nominative. The forma-

tion will be explained under each declension. It is most
commonly formed merely by adding <s<srr to the singular

i To prevent any confusion the old term is retained but perhaps tho ;

more correct term would be

'
the inflected form of the stem.'
 39

nominative. Thus //?, pi. nom. aifla&r jackals ; LDTLC,, pi.

nom. LmnEjasrr
(95) trees.
113. The plural inflectional base is in nouns (but not
always in pronouns) the same as the plural nominative.
114. All the cases are formed in exactly the same way

as in the singular. Thus uj-r/i ; pi. nom. IMTIEI^STT trees ;

voc. Lo^r'B6E(?srr ; (inf. base LDifEiaeir} ; gen. LbiiB&fr or LAT

[EiS'srflesr, or u>T/E7c55(Gr7)<33)z
_ LLJ
(^LnJfEJ<s&fl^tiiiy)i
_ ILJ not common);
dat. LD(TfEi&i!srF)a(&) ',
ace. LJMIEI&BSIT ; loc. LAV (B &l s\) ; ins.

115. There are four Declensions of Tamil nouns, which

will now be explained. The inflectional base is put in
brackets under the genitive case. In forming the cases,
the rules given in Chapter II are carefully observed.

FIRST DECLENSION

116. The first declension includes all masculine nouns

which end in ear ; as tDsafyssar a man.

117. The inflectional base singular is the same as the

nominative.
118. The plural nominative is formed by changing final

esr of the nominative singular into /r; as uxotsfi-siT men.

In the common dialect aserr is often added ;
as tnisa^/r^srr.

SINGULAR

119. N. LGGtsfl-sssr ... a man.

v. LCHovfipGiovr ... man !

G. (LbGisflfSGsr) LQGnFlfSejDisatLUJ ... a man's, or of a man.

D. oieafl^gQ/.s ... to a man.
... a man.

L. Ln6sj<5s<s\) ... in a man.

i. LceirFl^ <60)6\) ... by a man.
 40

FLORAL
N. L><am<iT or LDsu^rssiT ... men.
v. LD<safl/5Gj iMsaflp,TaQstr ...Omen!
Q. (LostffljSir) LcxsffljS (uj>o3fljiT<5rr) LD/sifi ... men's, or of

QTjofiL^tLi p>rr&iGtfj6iniiu men.

D.
Lcstrflp(^&(&j LGGvRjSrr&fGffjSi^ij
... to men.
A. Lb'safl.ssntr Lofvflpir&Ssrr ... men.
( in or among
L. L>6ofl<rHsi)
men.
I. LQ6?ffl
r
yjrreti
LassfljSit&Gfrfristi ...
by men.
120. In this declension the form of the genitive in
as Lbzflp&flsisT is not commonly used, though it is correct

both in the singular and plural. The pure form of the

inflectional base is very frequently used as the genitive, e. g.

*Fsa2,s3r <aff($ the house, srreo the

(82) disciple's (Lpieisr
blockhead's leg.
121. The word stnuiussr a boy makes GSH-nusyraGir in the

plural.
122. The word Lb^svr a son takes as its plural Lessen.

which is in reality the plural form of the poetical word LOS

a child ;
occasionally also Lbsesrasir is used. When the

plural sons has to be expressed, the word QUJ/TT/T

or

(gjLQrrTiT&Gir,
the plural of (^LDTTSST a son, is generally used.
123. Nouns of this declension in which final esr is

preceded by the vowel =^, may also form a vocative by

dropping final <SST, and changing the preceding ^ into ^ :

as ^s^sisr a disciple, voc. 9<s^rr. If final ssr be preceded

by the vowel =, the vocative may be formed by simply

dropping final ssr: as SNOOT iszrajsar a washerman, voc.

SECOND DECLENSION
124. The second declension includes all nouns ending in

yti
; as LDTLD a tree. They are all of the neuter gender.
 41

125. The inflectional base changes final ti of the nomi-

native into ;<] ; as LC^^J.
126. The plural nominative adds asir to the nominative

singular; as LATtEiasrr trees. (95.)

SINGULAR PLUBAL
127. N. LAMA a tree ... LnrfGiaerr trees.

V. UDiTCoLO ... Lt>!TtEt &G> 6TT

G. LLX&I LDT^slssr or

D.

A.

L.

I.

128. In this, and the remaining declensions, the most

common form of the genitive singular is that in ^)sar, with
or without e_s3)i_oj ; and the most common form of the

genitive plural is the plural inflectional base, with or with-

out e-sniuj. In the singular, the pure inflectional base is
also often used as the genitive; as 5^(75 Qmns>f5giu L/I_
the clothes of a certain village. ^(75

(93 6) the people of a certain country.

THIRD DECLENSION
129. With the exception of words consisting of two short
open syllables only (87), as <5 the middle, Lagu a spot

this declension includes all nouns which end in the single

letters or )i ',
as sff a house, ^^ a river, euuSl^u the

stomach.
130. The inflectional base is formed by doubling the con-
sonant of the final syllable ;
as <a!?, inf. base offi!. ;

inf. base ^/D^ti. (58), ajtiSl^, inf. base

6
 42

131. The plural nominative is formed by adding to

the nominative singular; as effaerr, ^^i&en.

SINGULAR SINGULAR

132. N. al? a house ...

-^^ a river

v. effQt- ...

G. (effiL) sff/l/f sar or

D. efflLa<<Bj

PLURAL PLURAL
N. d?<956Yr houses, etc. N. ^j2/<556Yr rivers, etc.

133. 2V.5. There is no necessity to give the plural in

full, for all the plurals in this, and also in the fourth declen-

sion, are declined exactly like IMT/EJS^T (127).

134. Words ending in and , which consist of two

short open syllables only (87), as /* and LOJJ/, do not follow
the above formation, but belong to the fourth declension.
Nouns in which the final and jj; are doubled, as uiL
silk, -S/T^JJ/ wind, belong to the fourth declension.
N.B. Bead para. 128.

FOURTH DECLENSION
135. This declension includes all nouns which do not
belong to any of the three preceding declensions. The ma-
jority of them are neuter as asir&j the ear; but some are
masculine, and several are feminine ; as iSlpir a father, (ajQt)

a religious teacher, LO<SSJT a daughter, &v$ifl a woman, Quesm

a woman.
136. The inflectional base is the same as the nominative,
 43

137. The nominative plural is usually formed by adding

<56Tr to the nominative singular ;
as Qusssr&sir women ;
but

there are the following exceptions to this rule.

in a long vowel take <s<ssrr in
138. (a) All nouns ending

the plural ; as FF a fly, pi. va&Grr; y, a flower, pi. &&&r,

^Trr&rr a king, pi. ^Tirffrs^err.
139. Nouns ending in &-, which consist of two short
(b)
-s^srr in the plural as a re-
open syllables only (87) take (5(75 ;

teacher, pi. L/<* a cow, pi. us-a-sen; LOJP

ligious ^(T^asasefr;
a spot, pi. Lcj2/a5<serr.

140. few nouns ending in e- take &a&r in the plural

(c)
A
without any particular rule as &JS&Q5 an enemy, pi. ; ^jp
<frrgi a virtuous person, <F/rj57srr, etc.
(Vj&aeir;
141. (d) Some plurals vary in accordance with the gram-
matical laws of euphony. Thus &<so a stone makes spam or
(&edg$i aerr) and /5/rsrr a day makes /s/rtl^err in accordance

with para. 94.

142. Nouns ending in the vowel (jft, may form a vocative

by simply lengthening this letter ; as puxSl a younger brother,

vocative pu>$ !
As nouns of this declension form their cases quite regu-

larly in accordance with the rules given in paras. 109 114,

it is not necessary to give more than the genitive case

singular, and the nominative plural.

EXAMPLES OF NOUNS OF THE FOURTH DECLENSION

143. Sing. Norn. Inflec. base, & Genitive. Nom. Plural.

sirrb^i wind (&rrp^i) arrpaSesr (88)

uiL silk (uiL) (88)
uL.uf.esr
a the middle (n) v&stitM (89) a&aaeir. (139.)

LoJH a spot (Lbjpi) iM^eQeor (89) ayj/^dssrr. (139.)

isifi a jackal (isifi) ivifluSesr
(90) /5/fldssrr.

king (^ IT fir)
 44

& a flower (&) y&m (90) yaaeir. (138.)

60 a stone (&es>) aeveSsyr
(91)
(141.)
tSsir a fish (t&ar; tgotiar
(92) IT*OT.

Example of declension in full sing. n. w/0, g. (/*/#,)

d. ac. loc. ins.

i*ffl&(dj, nifl&Biu, KtfiuSled, fiifltuireo, plu. n.
itfiaeir, g. (itrflaerr) Giflsetfissr, d. ac. aft odor,
Kfi&<Gffj&(3),
loc. fi/fisetfleti, ins. Kifiseirirei>.

144. A few nouns of this declension may change e-

before <(3j of the dative case into

/5/rerr a day DAT. or
/s/r^erT^^
this day
that day

which day ?

GENERAL REMARKS UPON NOUNS

145. The particle ^}ir may be inserted before the casal

affix of any case any noun, except the nominative and

of

vocative. It is seldom used with nouns of the first de-

clension ; and in the other declensions its insertion is not

very common in the ordinary dialect. When ^)<s3r is thus

inserted, the dative adds (5 only (110), and final ear is

changed into p (94). Thus tcTti a tree; inf. base

&; dat. u>jpgi&(3) or u><rpfdjD(9j (i.e.

ace. Lb<rj6s><5 or LDTjSJSSsar ; loc. LDJpjsleo or

etc. The insertion of this particle ^)SJT in the plural is

allowable, but not very common.

146. In the higher dialect, instead of e_swt_iu., the affix

=^ji7 is often used for the genitive, with or without the

particle )n; as nifi ; gen. isifliu&i or nfi'iSlesrgj. This

form can only be correctly used when the following noun
is neuter.
 45

147. The singular inflectional base is specially used,

where a noun stands in an adjectival relationship to the
noun which follows it, or in other words, where the two
nouns form a compound expression ; as j&Ss\> G/5/rsy head-
ache ; u&<9;p<ji& 3i-<sair a side- wall (93 b) sffi-JBtj QuiLiy.
a house box ; etc. (See para. 190.) These compounds
run to great lengths in Tamil examples Q&rrL&L-i<5 ; as for

(Spear (lit. bough-honey), i.e. the honey on a bough of a tree.

148. The vowel <& is often added to the locative and
to the instrumental cases, sometimes to denote emphasis,
but also sometimes merely as being more euphonic as ;

aSM.tp.G'so in the house, ae\)eSl{5S)(2e\) by a stone (378).

149. The masculine affix GITO-GST and the feminine affix

afrifl are attached to the inflectional base of a noun to

form a noun denoting an 'agent. Nouns of the second

declension may also, at pleasure, affix it to the nomi-
native case, after dropping the final tc. Thus Ga/eko work,

3r
(93 &) a workman, Qsu^so^^rrfl a workwoman ;

a tree, ibffjS,MMWJ'f or iM(r<s<smr<5!fr a woodman.

150. The affix
<J$/T
is added to singular nouns, and
ir or LD/r/r<5Esn- to plural nouns, to denote respect ; as

p&uu(5S)iT a father, ^/ro/r/f a mother ;

(ajQfj&ssirLQrrir
teach-

ers. Sometimes to/r/7 or tMirirssJr form the plural alone ; as

<3r6urrLBssJT or 3rSijrrLBLnfrir s&T l
lords, p&uusarLGtrir fathers,
etc. To Qpsarr the affix our is added as GpeufFir. Thou,
O God!

(II) ON PRONOUNS
151. The Tamil Pronouns are declined upon the same
general principles as the nouns.
152. The Personal Pronouns require special attention,
because both in their arrangement and in their terminations

they form the bases of the tenses of the verbs; and also
 46

because different pronouns are used in speaking of or to

various grades of society, and thus the use of the wrong

pronoun might give considerable offence.

153. The personal pronouns are given in the table which

follows (156). In this table the first perpendicular column
gives a list of the personal pronouns in their regular order,

in accordance with which the tenses of the verbs are

framed. Each horizontal line gives the declension of the

pronoun which heads the line.

154. It will be noticed in the subjoined table, that in

the plural there are two forms for the second person,

namely, //r and //E7<5E6rr. The former, though plural in

form, is always used in the common dialect as an honorific
singular, and is employed in addressing a person of re-

spectability ; whereas the singular form is only used to /

a person of inferior rank, e. g. a servant. /iE>&eir is the

full plural form, though it also is often used in addressing
a single individual, to denote still greater respect than /f/r.

155. In the third person plural jysu/r, though plural in

form, is always used in the common dialect as an honor-

ific singular, to denote more respect than ^sassr, or

.jysusrr. The form </6iiir&&r is used for the full plural,

though this form also is used of a single individual to

express still greater respect than

 47

"
(g (g

Df)
te d

iJMli
^j .a .a s s s

eJP

! Ill 83'H%*

x~"
W
 48

157. NOTE a. Except in the pronoun J>j^i, the form

given under the genitive is the pure form of the inflec-

tional base (108), which is very commonly used alone

as the genitive case ; but e_s2t_(L/ may be added at pleas-
ure ; as srssrga/sznL-UJ. The form of the genitive in ^)ar

(109) may be used, as OTsarsj^sar; but it is not very com-

mon. The grammatical form of the genitive adds ^j^i

(146); as Gresrgi; in this form, <srsar, &_ssi, nu>, and e_ii>

do not double their final mute consonant. (See para. 91.)

The of the pronoun
genitive ,=gy^f
it takes the particle

.jysar more commonly than the particle ^}sar. It will be

noticed that the various cases of =jgJ are exceptions to

the rule given in para. 89.

In the singular, the particle ^fesr, and less fre-
158.

quently ^ssr, and in the plural ^ear, may be inserted

before any casal affix of any of the neuter pronouns of

the third person, and especially in the accusative and

instrumental cases. (See para. 145.) Thus accus.
or -jy^&ar or ^f^Sssr; inst. .jy^'rso or ^^^)s\), or

a>, etc.

159. An old form ^jy^Jdssrr is sometimes used for

tfsrr; and a vulgar form jy^765^ is sometimes used for

the dative jy/c/D^.

160. In addition to /s/r/Jj, there is another form of the

pronoun of the first person plural, namely, /5/r/E7<s5srr, gen.

ffriEJsen, etc. The difference between them is that
includes the person or persons addressed, and
excludes them. It is specially important to remember this
in prayer, as RirtEi&Gfr only can be used, e. g. Have mercy '

upon us (ftrrtEj'Ssrr) sinners.' If ^/T/LD were used, it would

include God as a sinner. As an exception to the above
rule, I^/TLD is sometimes used, instead of it/rsia, by a person
speaking of himself in exalted language, e.g. a king
 49

addressing his subjects. It is also used for the official we

in government documents.
161. In the third person plural neuter the form ^stsxsu is

often used instead of j>{ss)su<ssrr. It is declined as follows :

N. =gy<5a>6y.

D. cjysu,!j2/<55(5 (or ^gfsu/b^/bigj, 158).

A.

L.

I.
^>/eu)(Ty<si) (or ^feurbflfoS)^, 158).
162. The word ^jsuir-ssrr is sometimes used as an affix

to a noun to denote respect )

as ^loinrr or =^76a)/r(L/6i//r<s>sYr

the gentleman.
163. Like jya/sar he, that man, cjysuefr she, that woman,

=gy^7 it, that animal or thing, jysi//r<ssrr they, those per-

sons, jyaa)u or =gysa)su<35srr they, those animals or things,

are declined {jfteusar he, this man, gjfteiierr she, this woman,
fi&i it, this animal or thing, ^su/fcssrr they, these persons,
)sa>si7 or Jj)sa>a/<55sfr they, these animals or things.
164. In the same manner also are declined the inter-

rogative pronouns OTeugar which man, who ? sreuerr which

woman, who ? er^i which animal or thing ? ereutrsvir which
persons, who ? GTSSHSU or sr&TnsucSSYr which animals or things ?

165. The interrogative pronoun. Jj^ir

or lutrrr who is used
for both masculine and feminine, and for both numbers.
It is thus declined n. UJ/T/T, g. iurr(Tf)3S)L-UJ, d.
tuiTQ^^^,
a. (L//rsa)/r, in. ajirrfleti, loc. ajmrireo.

166. The interrogative pronoun srsarsar wnac may be

used either as an adjective, or as a noun ;
as <3Tsarsar
LJ&V

jS&iEj&^xfj&^aj to what books ? ersarear GifiLijsrrsvr what did

he do?
167. When used as a noun, t also takes another form,

namely, ersarsarii, which is declined like a noun of the second

7
 50

declension, e.g. dat. <srsa&a^^is(ff> for what? ins. <srssr

eapjd&id (145) by what?

168. The reflexive pronoun ^/rsar self (i. e. himself, herself,

itself, always refers to the subject of the verb. The

etc.)

only exception to this rule is, when the plural form prriB&sir
is used in addressing a single individual, to express even

greater respect than

//B<ssrr
(154). It is equivalent to the

English expression
'
Your honour '.

SINGULAR PLURAL
Mas. Fern. Neuter. Mas. Fern. Neuter. Mas. or Fern.

Q. jSSST

D.

A.

L. ,s$637-(Sd$

N.B. e_B)L_oj may, of course, be added to the genitive.

The genitive in {jjftssr,
as ^ssresfissr, is not common. The
grammatical forms are pssf), pLt>gi, and jSrEjaeir&j (146).
169. N.B. There is another word -siren, which is a

particle, and indeclinable. It is added to other words to

give emphasis ;
and may be translated by such expressions,
as, indeed, only, etc. Thus =jy^ Qu>iLi<rr63r. That (is)
quite true. This particle prosr is sometimes strengthened
by the addition of <5j', as ^>jik3,u sstusmuj^^irQear Q&irssar

<3irr (93). Bring that very bag.

170. In Tamil there are no possessive adjective pronouns,

properly speaking; but in their place are used the genitive

cases of the personal pronouns, etc., as. srsar n<s
my hand ;

s^sjnL-iL/
a^ their house ;
^u^LpsniiL
to their own horses.

171. The demonstrative adjective pronouns are

that, those, i*p this, these. The interrogative adjective
 si

pronoun is <STK^ which ? These being pure Tamil adjectives

are indeclinable; as ^K^ L^&sfl^ir^^s^ to those men.
172. Instead of the above adjective pronouns, the simple
letters =gy,$), and <sr respectively may be prefixed to a
noun. After these letters, the initial letter of the noun,
if it be a consonant, is doubled ;
and if it be a vowel, the
letter a; is inserted and doubled; as ^aairstiLn for ^tipa
o5/rg\)d> that time ; =3ysi/aS^osrr for .jy/5^ {jfiSsossir those
leaves ;
(jfrugjflQid for J)/5/s
ear//?(?s\) in this village (148).

173. The words ^uuisf-uuiLi-. such (as that), (jftuuty-u

UU-L such (as eruuis^uuiLi such (as what) ? i. e.
this),
Of what kind? are used as adjectives. (The exact meaning
of L//_!_L_ will be explained hereafter. Para. 406.) These
words are changed into nouns by affixing the terminations
of the personal pronouns of the third person as ^fuui^-u ;

LjLLisijeifT such a man, ^fuui^-uuiLi^j such an animal

or thing, etc,
174. The adjective pronoun ^ssiesr such (as this) is
indeclinable ;
as ^esrssr (3jj<s3)fr&<Grrj&(-3j
to such horses.

From it are formed ^esr^ssr such a man, gjfissT^sir such

a woman, ^ssrssr^j such a thing, etc.

175. The affix S-LD, about which more will be said

hereafter, is used to give to the word to which it is attached

the idea of completeness. Hence, when it is affixed to an

interrogative, changes it into a word expressing univer-

it

sality. Thus from <OTIEI(SJ where? ffruQuirgj when? turnr

who? ereu/r&sir which persons? <5J<sif)su or <5TS3>si/<ssrr which
animals or things ? are formed the universals
OT/EQLD every-
where, GruGurr^LJci always, UUITQ^I^ all persons, srsu/f^ter^ii)

(or (UTsuQtjU)) all persons, er&nsuu-iub (or aj/rswajayti) and

<5T63)6y,55(6Yjjti all animals or things. With a Tamil negative

verb these words would, with an English positive verb, be

translated nowhere, never, no one and none, etc.

 52

176. When a word, to which e_ii is attached, is declined,

the e_ii is always retained as the last syllable. Thus the
dative cases of ujirsuQfjLb and (/j/r<sB><suJi/ti are iLnrsu^a^U)
and iuireup):&(&jij). (161.)
177. It is an universal rule that all words which take
the affix e-ii follow the noun which they qualify ; as u&&pff
dssrr
iLj.reu(Tfj<(3jU)
to all men. It will be noticed that, as
in the above example, the second word only takes the
casal affix, and the first word stands in the nominative

178. When the interrogative is an adjective, the sense

of universality is expressed by affixing e_iu> to the noun
which it qualifies; as ffrrt<5
ft-o9@i every life, or with a

negative verb, no life ; srtJL/Llisaar/Hdssr^jjyu) (172) in all

towns or, with a negative verb, in no towns.

179. The particles, ^GU&I, <j$jg/ii or <J$<ea^ii, when

affixed to an interrogative, give it an indefinite signification ;

as <5TiEiG& <$,{&)& u> anywhere, lorLjuiy.turrQguu) in any way

whatever, (L//r^/rSjjytc anyone, tu/rtTfj&ar&^iJb to anyone,
{uir(nj&&rr<sugi to
any amongst you.
e_/E7<5(Sif/?6\)

180. The words Grevevfr all and fasti all are pure adjec-

tives, and as such, always precede the noun which they

qualify. As they express universality, the noun qualified

by them always takes the affix _LO (175) ; as srffoetf/r Lcxssfl-s/r

<a?(6Y5<(25U>
to all men.
181. From the above words are formed srsosti/r^tL (or

OTsoGfiO/r^ui) all persons, fse^^Lc all persons, which are

declined like ,jysu/r, with -"> attached (156) ; and also
6Tff>60/ru3 all animals or things, and ^-ass^^ii all animals

or things. The former is declined like ^eneu (161), and

the latter like a noun of the second declension. Thus
N. 6re06tf/rLD. G. <sre\)6tirr<suiDSlguiJb. D. etc.
er^o^/rsi//^^^^^
D. ^s&i^^^tJb, etc.
 53

182. As these words end in e-fi, the rule given in

para. 177 is carefully observed; as uxsafl^/f^srr <sreoso/r
(TTJOGQLO
to all men, LQQjj&iEi&stT GrGtiGdrrsurb^y&^gjLb to all beasts.
183. The single word <&Tffs/rii
(without any casal ending)
is idiomatically added to any noun of any gender, and in
any case ;
as toss^/f^r^^ <sTffOs/ro) to all men, &-/Eia(isnj&(<EFj
cbTetiGomJD to you all.
184. There are no relative pronouns in Tamil. The way
in which their place is supplied will be explained hereafter.

185. The distributive pronouns each, several, respective,

etc., are expressed in Tamil by doubling the pronoun.
Thus Give to each ( cgfGU6sr<sv6gij&(aj) his portion. Trees
yield fruits according to their respective (^LD^LD) kinds.
Each (displayed) the power of their respective sciences.

186. By affixing the terminations of the pronouns of the

third person to adjectives (and, as will be hereafter shown,

to certain other parts of speech), a class of words are formed

to which is given the distinctive term composite nouns. Thus
from /Sffosti
good are formed the composite nouns ftstistisuesr

a good man, /5ffostisusrr a good woman, /5ffOso^7 a good one

(i. e,animal or thing) /ssocosu/f^syr good people, ^sftssxai or
;

ftetiGti'om'Svssrr
good animals or things.
187. The terminations of the pronouns, when thus used,
are called pronominal affixes.
Instead of ^eussr and ^/suir, the terminations
'

188. geear

and ge/r are also used ; as ^snQ^rr&tr, /5a>(?6\)/r/f.

(HI) ON ADJECTIVES
189. Tamil adjectives are indeclinable, and are always
prefixed to the noun which they qualify as /5fi>)6\) ;

to good horses.
 54

190. In English one noun often stands in an adjectival

relationship to another noun, so that the two together form

a compound expression ; as river sand, horse cloth, etc. In
Tamil the same construction is very common ;
and the first,

or qualifying noun, always takes the form of the inflectional

base. (See para. 147.) Thus /r a jungle, ainL IL$ a
jungle-path ;
^ jw a river, ^p^i usmed river sand ; /5/rg

usmpgia; (?<s/rt_/T6$ a four penny axe, etc. (93 6.)

191. N.B. Though often the exactly corresponding ex-

pression used in English, yet this is not always the case.

is

Thus ufretn^ means rock but we cannot translate utrsn/D

;

$<so) by rock-ground, but rocky ground.

192. Nouns of the second declension, instead of following
the above rule, may drop final LT>; as LDTLD a tree, LDJaQairubL-i

a branch of a tree (lit.

a tree branch) ;
UJOTTLCI the mind, Lasar

Qflsreij
mental distress ;
UGSSILC, money, usssr
(ip^uL/ a money
bag.
193. Many nouns become adjectives by affixing e_6rrsrr,

or =^""- (These words will be explained hereafter. Paras.

590, 600). These affixes denote possession, and answer in

many instances to the English termination ful. Thus

ey.iA joy, <PftG<rrs)fi(Lpsrrstr LcxstfFl^osr a joyful man ;

sn^/Pa beautiful woman.

beauty, ^Lpsirear
194. Words compounded with si-srrsrr and ^ear may take
the pronominal affixes (186, 187) ; as pikG<5!r<s$>L> e-eiretr&jssr

a cheerful man, ^Lpsrrssr&i a beautiful animal, thing, etc.

195. Adjectives are formed from nouns ending in LDL/,

by changing it into ULJ ',

and from nouns ending in ftffi, and
7, by changing them into <&&; as ^(JJLCL/ iron, ^KJ^UL^^
Qsrreti an iron rod ;
05(75/5^7 medicine, u*(TT)j5J&u<SRU a medi-
cine bag ; ffr^g) a bullock, STQ^^^JU uirTLo a bullock load.

196. Nouns denoting qualities, which end in &-f>U3,

become adjectives by changing this termination into )-'/

 55

as <o>u(7fjG8>Lc greatness, Ou/fiiu great ;

ON THE COMPARATIVE AND SUPERLATIVE DEGREES

197. There are no Tamil forms of the adjectives to express

the comparative and superlative degrees.

198. The force of the comparative degree is expressed in
Tamil by using the dative case alone, or the locative case
with e-ti attached to it as #^(5 ^j^j neixsv^j. (186.)
;

That (is) better than this. Lit. To this that (is) a good one.
^)/5^ i_i$s\)u3jj$}Lb <^y/5^ Loeko Giuifliugii. That mountain (is)

than this. Lit. In the case of this mountain that

greater
mountain (is) a great one. ^eussfl^ajub KITSST GiurRmsuGsr.
I (am) greater than he.
N.B. When the verb to be is the copula, it is
usually
omitted in Tamil.
199. The comparative degree is also expressed by using
the word umrsSgyiub with an accusative case. It means (as
will be although one sees. Thus
explained hereafter)
^snpuurrir&SlgjULD $)jp rtevevg]. This is better than that.
Lit. Although one sees that, this is a good one.- (93 e.)
200. Instead of umT&Slgyu*, the words uirn&&, urrir<5</reti,

<s8li, and <$/rLliy-j)2/Lc> are sometimes used. The exact mean-

ing of these words will be explained hereafter.
201. The force of the superlative degree is expressed in
Tamil by using the locative case with e_ii attached to it ; as

.jysu/f <sr$j)j/
LS gjjftsuesr He (is) the best of them.
/^ffOsosi/sar.

Lit. Amongst them this man (is) a good one. or Joso/reu/D^jjyti

^t/^u Lj&vp&u) /5<rosO7. That book (is) the best of all.

Lit. Amongst all that book (is) a good one. (181.)

202. The force of the superlative degree is also expressed

by using such words as <j$& much, u9eyii much, etc.

 CHAPTER IV
On Numerals, Postpositions, Conjunctions, Adverbs,
and Interjections

(I) ON NUMERALS
203. The Tamil numerals are divided into Cardinals and
Ordinals.
204. The following is a list of the Tamil Cardinal numbers
as far as twenty-three, showing both the names and the
corresponding Tamil figures. The use, however, of the
English figures has now been extensively introduced into
India. The remaining numerals are given in para. 224.
1. S> 6&63TJ2/ (vulgar 5&333TJjg2/).

2. a. $)JSSST (vulgar Q/fsjar). (81-)

3. fir,
(tpssrgti (vulgar
4. ffi /5/TgpJ
Or /5/T63Tr<;K.

5. @ j/ji7 (vulgar
p

7. 6T

8.
_Q]
OTll.
9. a,

10. u)

11. iDa

12. iDs.

14. u)& uj$@a\m or u

 r,7

15. uD@
16. iDar

17. iD&r

1 8. iD_q
19. iD<3o>

20. a.u>

21. 9.S

22. s.2.

23. s-ffi,

205. The word gfrqijugj twenty is

composed of ^0, an

adjectival form of ^(reaa two, and u^7 a form of UJB& ten.

Whenever this termination LJ&I is followed by another

numeral, it becomes up&i ; as ^Q^U^^I ^osarjz/ twenty-three.

206. All the cardinal numbers, except g&garjz/ one, may be

used as nouns or as adjectives, g&sarjz/ can only be used as

a noun : its adjectival form is g&(5 or &/r.

207. When used as nouns, indicating the abstract num-

bers, they are declined like nouns of the fourth declension ;

as, Give two out of five 85/5^60 $xr<ss3r<ss>ia Qair. See,

however, para. 222.
208. When used as adjectives they are indeclinable, and
precede the noun which they qualify ; as /5/rgy (^^szn/r^srr
four horses.
209. The Tamil numerals, and also a few other adjectives

expressing number, e.g. uso many, some or few, er^^^ssr

S5<so

how many, etc., often take the noun in the singular instead

of in the plural number ; as ueveSljL& many ways ;

QstimirGfr

a few days ; (njHi (S^an/r (instead of (<9$<sy>rr<s<5fr) twenty

horses. Compare the English expression
'

twenty head
of cattle '.

210. When the noun qualified by the numeral is of the

masculine or feminine gender, the word QUIT (or O/L/OJ/T) person

8
 58

is often inserted ;
as /s/rjjyGLj/f -fQ<sfr^jir^6rr four brothers,

^joaarSCoLy/r (V-pL-ir&err two blockheads, ffi QUIT ^(r^irr four

thieves. It will be noticed that the word QUIT is idiomatically

kept in the singular number. It is often used alone in the

sense of persons ; as ^jw GLJIT six
persons, ffi QUIT four

persons. Instead of the above order, the noun is sometimes

put first in the nominative case ; as, He gave ten rupees to his
ten partners
instead of ujB3j*
211. In tabular statements, etc., the numeral, as in English,

is sometimes put last ; as (atfdssur /s/rjjy, ^ ^D(5<-^ Osuerr

5Yr/r 9-Q-. Horses, four sheep, twenty

goats, twenty-two.
; ;

212. It has been already stated that the adjectival form of

g&(5 or &* (206).

The numerals also from two to
gDsarjz/ is
in addition to their
eight have special adjectival forms, ordinary
forms, which are sometimes used. They are as follows :

For @<rBr5 two @(5 or FFIT ; as g)0^&a> two heads,

jftQTjugi (205) twenty.

For (Lpstfju
three ^p before a vowel ;
and (Lp before
a consonant, which is always doubled ;

as {LpeufTfir three kings; (90) (*/>

<5F.TfiLb the three tenses ; (Lpuugj thirty.

For four /5/ro ; as ftirpugi forty (94).
ffiTjjtf

For 3/5^ five 83^; as fSjL&u,^ fifty; cBtEj&etiLG five

measures (95)-

For ^^ six JHH ; as ^^iu^i sixty.

For Qg seven GT(Lg ', as er^u^i seventy.

For rtL eight ffrssff ; as <oT5snru^j eighty.

213. In combination, u^^j ten sometimes takes the form

u^&st ; as u^sard560fi ten measures (209) ; u^esr^Lp&sr^ti

thirteen (204).
214. The adjectival form of u^G^ssrjji eleven is ujsl

or
 59

215. From the cardinal numbers personal nouns are

formed; but they are in common use as far as the number
five only. They are as follows :

r or ^(/T^s^sar one man, or a certain man.

a certain woman.
rr two persons,
three persons,

four persons.

o8su/r five persons.

The above, being pure nouns, cannot be placed before

another noun. They can be used by themselves; or they
can be placed after another noun; as e-saV i3lsrr8str Kire^suir

aeiflev amongst your four children. (209.)

216. To form distributives (e. g. one by one, two and two,
etc.), the numerals reduplicate their first syllable; they are

only in common use as far as the number eight : thus ^siyOsu/r

, (^pii^Lpssr^U ', /5/5/5/rjjy, GJSWSU/?^ ^jysu
.
(Compare para. 185.)
217. The affix e-ii expresses completeness (see para. 175).
Hence it is often added to numerals. Thus upgjGuir
means ten persons ; but UjS^gi Qu^u* means the ten per-

sons, implying that there are only ten in all.

218. The ordinal numbers are only used as adjectives,

and therefore are indeclinable, and are always prefixed to
the noun which they qualify. They are formed by adding ^ii
or ^eu^a to the cardinal forms as jD^saar
; two, ^cr^an_iTLL
or D/rs33rL_/ra/^7 the second.
219. The ordinal of gBsar^z/ is (Lppsti or (Lp<6$rru) or

Q_ppGtiir<saJ!fi
the first. In compounds ^esr^ti becomes e/r

with -J^ti affixed ; as

ufBjQQarjp eleven, ufiQ^Tiru* the
eleventh, Jj^u^G^/rssr.gy twenty-one, $)(if)U<Qjrr(rrru> the
twenty-first.
 60

220. The termination ^wgi is also used as an adverbial

form; as (y>jev.rj&i firstly, ft?6ssnrreu&) secondly, etc.
221. A list of the cardinal numbers from 30 to 10,000,000

is subjoined. The numerals from twenty to eighty are formed

by prefixing the special adjectival forms to ugj (212). The
numbers from 100 (jJTv) to 800 are formed by prefixing
the same adjectival forms to jpr*gi.
222. j&r*3)J a hundred follows the third declension, and

jjuuSlfU)
a thousand follows the second declension. When

followed by other numerals, they become jjjnp<3 (vulgarly

jfjrpft),
and ^jttS^jp (vulgarly <jy,u3 ?<$).
223. The forms for 90 and 900 are peculiar, namely,
s/rewrjspr^ and Q/ffefGnfofU^ The word G^/rsrr means

defect; and therefore the expression appears to mean 100

with the defect of 10, and 1,000 with the defect of 100.

ADDITIONAL TABLE OF NUMERALS. (See para. 204.)

224. 30
31
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
101
102
103
120
200
300
 61

400
500
600
700
800
900
1,000
1,001
1,020

1,100
1,200
2,000 ^TGssritruSl'TLD or

3,000
4,000

5,000
6,000

7,000
8,000
9,000
10,000
20,000
90,000
100,000
200,000
1,000,000
10,000,000 <gsrj)i $)&)tLfiJ> or
225. N.B. In modern Tamil such a number as 6712 is

written a^aa. ;
but in old Tamil it was usually written

ON FRACTIONS
226. The following table gives the fractions most com-
monly used in Tamil ; but, as already stated, the whole
 62

system of English figures has now become extensively used

in India.

61!

(i. e. of i) <y>J

f (i.
e. 3 times |) ^
227. When these fractions are joined to other numbers,
if a vowel follows, final e_ of the numeral is dropped ;

but if a consonant follows, final 2_ is changed into <& Thus

spesrgu
and cjyan/r become s&gar/Dszn/r li ; and epesr^i and
#/rr0 become GpssrG/B&irsti lj.

228. The following are a few examples of the use of

numerals up&i ^uftuf ^D^)(^ffll 4- .jy^aa^srLl. snufrr

^IGUssv&tTij&Q&rj.
Give him ten rupees, six annas, eight

pice. jycS5(?_/rLy/f/jD/r5=ii ^(T^u^Q^iriiri^ Q^. The twenty-

first of October. ^tiSlvf Gipessr^irp QrnessTupptrqyLo eu(ffj

ffl^iL (^&<ip)-\-GTts3t^)nrbK)i'\-<orsssiupptr(yis>). The year

'

one thousand eight hundred and eighty-six.

(II) ON POSTPOSITIONS
229. As in English, prepositions are usually prefixed to

nouns and pronouns, so in Tamil postpositions are affixed

to them. Compare the English thereto, thereby, whereunto,

etc. The actual meaning and grammatical construction of
many of these Tamil words will be explained hereafter. For
the present they may be regarded merely as postpositions.

230. The following are affixed to a nominative case

LOL_U> or L/_L<(<9)Lo until as far as, used chiefly in refer-

ence to place ; as $)6usQi ti U3tlii as far as this place

(172).
si/an/ro5)eo, susjn/n/SjjyiL,, or sys3)/r<5(SjiL, and uflajik^Lc, until,

as long as, as far as, used in reference both to time and

place. Thus 'orgi swsmrr&^gjtj) ? How long ? (literally until

what?) LjffliurtfSua is properly used with Sanscrit words

 63

only : before it, nouns of the second declension drop their

final LD ; as LcxremuifliuRpLc, until death.
231. (zp/ssttj, (zp^sti/r^, or (LpprnGi&ir<oSvr from (i.e. be-

ginning from) ; as u^^i SUILJ^I (Lp3>stiiT& (Lpuugi eutu^fi

aysa>/r<55(<9)U). From the age of ten until the age of thirty.

232. The following are affixed to the inflectional base.

Neuter nouns usually insert Jj)sar (143).
B with, together with, Q-issr or e_f_G?6ar with, together

with, QiLi, Jy0(3>, ^Qf), ^qjj&lGd, ^sssreni, near,

Qiuir^LL. for, for the purpose of, fSliS^^Lc or fSt-8^^

for the sake of, Qurfl<s\) or Quiurfleti upon, concerning,

or GLOG?<S\) upon concerning, o/$ or 6ULliurr& by way

of, uiy- or uis^<s(^ as, according as ; QpetiL&iriu by means of.

Thus =
jysu(?(C3) with him ;
srsar /L!L_ near me, .jy^sar
Qutuifleti thereupon, GULpa&^ssiearuiy- according to custom.
233. The following are affixed to a dative case :

for e_srr or e_srrG?6rr in,

among, into, within.
^<s ; (In
the sense of among it may also take the inflectional
base.)

^L/L^Dfi, and ^uutreti on the farther side ; ^UL/^LD and

on this side ;
as <or6$r<5&[r< for me ;

among them, &e!Lrrf)<&uLjV)Lci outside the village.

234. The words (Lpssr before (or (/psarGsar,,

(LpssrsisrQu^,
&&ST after (or
(LpsBTLj, (Lp6sr&ffL>,
i5)s5T (
iS/D^, igipuir), Sip or SQip under, be-
g|)G'so J iSlssri-i,

neath, usually take the dative case. (gj may be added

to (ipsar, (Zpsar/./
and lSarJ Thus <jft<*)(&) CLpsarQesr before

this, i5)sar(osar after us, fl)fr/n&rreSl<(yj& @Qip under

/5/Lo(^LJ
the chair. These words may also take the inflectional

base ; as OTsar LSlsarQesr after me, $*Bissr Sip under this.

235. The word (2ujro or Qu-tGev with an inflectional base,

means concerning <a6Yl

(232) or upon, as (2u><2sv> or effLLuf. ear
QiMQsd upon the house. With a dative case it means over
>

(i.
e. without contact) ; as <sG
LL&(aj QLoQso over the house.
 64

236. The following are affixed to an accusative case:

Guireti, QUIT/SO, or G>uirQ<sv., like, like as, p&v except,

except, (aj/Slpgi about, concerning, upaS about, con-

cerning, (<5p, (ZjLpK&i, (ajf^^G-s/naBr and jbfS around,

by means of, as GrsBrcJosruGurrGti like me, j^eu

except him, *$>]&>; uupfS concerning it. Instead
of the accusative, some of these words occasionally take
the nominative case.
237. To express motion from, $)ssr or $)> may be affixed

to the inflectional base ; as LAT^pleti from a tree. But to

prevent confusion with the genitive or with the locative

case, @)eQ(njiB&j or Qeafidrjii are usually affixed ; as ear//?

eff(75/5^7
or s^Lffisuflssrj)} from a village.
238. The following rule must be carefully observed.
When expressing motion to or from an object, if the object

does not admit of entrance (e. g. any living creature), the

dative or locative case of ^)L_LD a place must always be
used. Thus
Go to the village.

(or ^fevsofli^r)^ (145) or

Qurr. Go to him.
I came from the village.
. I came from him.

(Ill) ON CONJUNCTIONS
239. (1) The affix e_ti is attached to Tamil words to ex-

press the meaning of the English conjunction and. It is

either attached to each word ; or all the words, except the

last, are put in the nominative case, and the last word takes
the required casal affix, with the addition of e-ii>. Thus
sffLLstSiLlLJUQ Q<frLLl&S3)flLIU> SB) IT &8siT U) O<SfT^^/T<5yT.
(3j$$ ILj

He gave a house, and a garden, and (some) horses. Or

vff QfSiTLLLiEi (cTj^siD/r.sckrrayijb ^/rCS'^^/rsar. (95.) He gave
a house, garden, and horses.
 65

240. When the affix e_ii is attached to a single word, it

has the meaning of also or even ; as <jya/gp/u>, He also or

Even he.
241. For other uses of a-tb see paras. 175 and 217. This
affix cannot be attached to a vocative case, a relative parti-

ciple, or a finite verb.

242. The affixes <=j>/,J&i or =^@jj2/^ or ^Sl^uo are affixed
to nouns in the sense of either ... or. Thus fiiurrsugji
/s/riearjsi/jsy (90, 92). You or I. ^jpirStspiLc, ^pir&lgpiLd. (89,

N.B,) That or this.

243. When any of these affixes are attached to a single

word, it has the meaning of at least or even. Thus g&0

usmL&irQ^Lc,. At least a penny.
244. The words <=s>j<sti<sti^i
or <J^(g)^ if or but, ^(Szpj^ti

although, at any rate, ^GnsiuirGti or ^pstirrev therefore will

be explained hereafter.

(IV) ON ADVERBS
245. Some words are by nature adverbs ; as $l hence-

forth, g^stsrssTLci or ^sargoyLo yet, (tpstfrQesr or (LpesrL-i formerly,

etc.

246. Adverbs are also formed from nouns by affixing -J^uJ

or *$&') as &ii~)QptT3i.Lto joy, fftGpirspLDrruj or <9FR<2pfrs$,Lr>rr<s

joyfully. (See para. 93 c.)

247. Some infinitive moods are also used as adverbs; as

<5LL_ together, sp(tF)L&&& together, eueQiu freely, etc.
i

(V) ON INTERJECTIONS
248. Interjections are frequently used in Tamil; as
8(?uu/r alas !
^^ oh ! oh !
<3pir look ! behold !

249. The word ^GUGOGUIT or <lsvetiQjtr or ^eoQsvir may

be regarded as an interjection, meaning forsooth ! It really

means (as will be explained hereafter) is it not so ?

9
 CHAPTER V
On the Imperative Mood, and Tenses of Verbs

250. In Tamil the negative is expressed by the verb :

hence every verb has two distinct forms, a positive and

a negative. For the present the positive form only will be
considered. The negative form will be fully explained in

Chapter VIII.
251. That from which all the various parts of the Tamil

verb are formed is called the root). It might perhaps, more

correctly speaking, be termed the stem ;
but as the word root
has been adopted in Pope's Tamil Handbook, and in my own
Telugu Grammar, it seems advisable to adhere to it. The
root has the same form as the Singular Imperative.

ON THE IMPERATIVE MOOD

The singular imperative, which has the same form as
252.
is used with the pronoun
the root, as its subject and hence
/
;

can only be employed when addressing inferiors as uuf. ;

read (thou), fit walk (thou), usssr^n make (thou)..

urnr look

(thou).
253. The honorific imperative is used with the pronoun //r
as its subject (154). It is formed by adding e_u> to the
singular imperative ; as uiy-iLfUb, /5t_a/u>, Lfsairr^pcc, UTQ^L^.

254. The full plural imperative is used with the pronoun

/f/s<ssrr
(154). It is formed by adding e_/E7<$6rr to the singular

imperative ; as
 67

s&srr. This form, like the pronoun iab<5&r, is also used in

addressing a single individual, to denote still greater respect

than the form ending in 8-^>-

255. The following imperatives are irregularly formed:

Sing. 6i;/r come (thou), Honfc. SIHTQ^LL, Plural
&* gi ve (thou), ,, jStrtTfjLn,

}) QUIT go (thou) , ,,
QuiftJL. ,,

ON THE TENSES OF VERBS

256. Tamil verbs have three principal tenses, namely
The Present Tense The Past Tense and The Future Tense.
The last is also sometimes used as an habitual present tense,
to express habit or custom.

These tenses are formed from the root (251), by adding

certain temporal particles, called medials, and then by affixing
certain personal terminations to the medials.

257. The medials for the present tense are Sl^n and
past tense are &3>i, ^sgi, and
future tense are <a/
and L/L/.

258. N.B. As will be explained hereafter, a few verbs

take the medial ) in the past tense, and some use contracted
forms ; and a few verbs take <-/
in the future tense.

259. The personal terminations are derived from the ter-

minations of the personal pronouns, as shown in the subjoined

table. The persons in each tense exactly correspond to the
and follow them in all their distinctions of
personal pronouns,
and peculiarities of usage (152
gender, and number, 156).
The personal terminations are the same for all verbs.
260. Personal Pronouns. Personal Terminations.

Sing. 1 Person. /5/rear znssr

2 $ ^u
(MAS. =^61/637-

3 JFEM. ^susrr
NEU.
 68

Personal Pronouns. Personal Terminations.

Plur. 1 Person /5/r/i
geJ)
iiir FT-IT
(Honorific Sing.) (Honorific Sing.)

M. & F. =sysyr(Honorific Sing.) ^/f (Honorific Sing.)

M. & P. jysi/<f<3E6rr

261. In the plural, the terminations 0=/r and ^/r exactly

in use to the and .jya/.r; and
/f<r
correspond pronouns
thus, though plural in form, they are commonly used as

honorific singulars (154, 155).

The terminations FFir&&r and jjfyir&srr, like the pronouns
//E7d56rr and ^jsuirasir, are the forms used to denote the
full plural ; but, like those pronouns, they are sometimes
used in reference to a single individual, to denote still

greater respect than the terminations fr-ir and =^/r (154, 155).
262. When affixing the personal terminations, final e_

of the medial (257) is dropped ; and then the consonant

takes the initial vowel of the personal termination. Thus,

taking the root =gyszDL_ get as an example,
|_ Qjp+<srs!a becomes .fytu~d<?/Dar I am getting, or

[I get.

|_ /5^j + sj&sr ,, ^sij&ni^ikQ^ssT I have got or

[I got.

|_ 4. <5j<ss( Cjys20i_(2si/g37 I shall, or I will

<ay

[get.
263. These tenses given in full are as follows:

Present Tense. Past Tense. Future Tense.

Sing. 1 Person cgfsni

2

MAS.

FBM. .jyszn

NEU. ^SS)lSljD^3 ^gif<5S)L,^^l ^jfDL_0/U) (265).

 69

Present Tense. Past Tense. Future Tense.

Plur. 1 Per.

M. & F.

M. & F.

NEU.

264. In the plural third person neuter of the present

tense ear is
always inserted before final pesr.

265. It will be observed that the form of the third

person neuter of the future tense is peculiar, and is the

same both in the singular and in the plural. It is formed
by adding e.a> to a root which takes Qjp in the present
tense, and ^QLD to a root which takes sQgti (257).

266. The following verbs form the third person neuter

of the future tense in an irregular manner. Thus
Boot. <2<35srr hear Put. 3 per. neu.

Seo stand ,,

65 so learn

&<r gve
a//r come su^ti

^ or ^(5 become ^^ or ^
,, fir die ^/r^ii or &ITLD

}}
QKIT ache ,,
Q^ir^Ln or
Qurr go Qurr^LG or Quiru*
267. The personal terminations are the same for all

verbs, hence the only variation is in the medials. As

examples of other medials, the tenses of the verbs uiy-

learn,and ^yr/E7@ sleep will now be given. The former

takes the medials <sQ^, ;&&i, and ULJ; and the latter
takes the medials S&i, gpi, and a/. See para. 257.
 70

Present Tense. Past Tense. Future Tense.

S. 1 Per. uisj-&QQrnsT

MAS.
FEM. L/p_<5E<55/(2poTr Ul^-^^fTSTT UUf-UUfTSTT

UEU. LIlO-sSl/D^ UU)-<5jB<3j] UUf-&(&jL& (265).

P. 1 Per.

M. & F. uu^&&l(frj>tr uiq-<jirir uu^uuntr

3 M. &F.

NEU. U
S. 1 Per.

(MAS.
3 FEM.
-I

(NEU. ^TiB(SjQfD^]' ^iriBQssr^i ^/r/s^Lo (265).

P. 1 Per. ^yr/Br<^92^Lb
U
2
f

M. & F.
jjjirfEJt&jQqyiT ^sriEiQ^s)^

268. Verbs which take the medial (j}si in the past tense,

in the third person neuter may change final earjp into iugJ or

269. The tenses of the roots L/ suffer, <s\^n say, and

Qarrerr take are added, as examples of verbs which use
a contracted form in the past tense. The verb srsar takes the

medial '-/
in the future tense. See para. 258.
 71

Present Tense. Past Tense. Future Tense.

270. S. 1 Per. uGsK3rnsT u

fMAS. uQ(yfr uLLitrsisr

\NEU. LjQQv)^ ULLl^l L/@LC (265).

P. 1 Per. uQQQqyLo

2<

Jiff.
3-1 M. & F.ul(yit<56ir

\NEU. /-/Sisar /DiS3r(264)L'Lli_s3r

(
utf> (265).

srsa7S 3 /K)6w(69)
>

271. S. 1 Per. (

ersarG'/Dsar

[MAS.

3-JFEM. <oT6^rS!(ysrr

(NEU.

P. 1 Per.

8-jM.
&F.

INEU. GrssrQssr/Dsvr (264) rsar/Dsar srsar.gQ/Lo (265).

272. S. 1 Per. Gi<s/r<3rrt^S!Q/D<ssr Q&;iT6t(ifrQi_esr Q-xir&n'iGmQeussT

2 065/rsrr(eyK(W/L/ Gi&iresarLmu

/MAS. Qisn<3n(&f^Sl(7ysia G&/rs3sru_fr6sr

3 -; FEM. 065/7" 6YT(GY7)6K(W 6yr

>
G<55/T 62(37" / /TSTT

ti
(265).
 72

Present Tense. Past Tense. Future Tense.

P. 1 Per. Q.s/rerrjerTjQcj^jLo Q<55/r6wr(2/_/ric Q<35/rsrr<6wjG?sij/ri/>

I
*" wf vi \*jir)*jai^u 'i (& <9j IT (offlfT LSLfT

M.

M. & F.

NEU.

(264).

273. As the personal terminations are the same for all

verbs, if the first person of each tense of a verb be known,

there is no further difficulty. The important point, therefore,
in a Tamil verb is to ascertain the first person of each

tense, or, in other words, to ascertain what medials (257)

a verb takes to form its several tenses.

274. As the first step in solving this difficulty, the follow-

ing general rules must be carefully studied.

275. N.B. (1) Instead of giving the medials only, it will

be found more convenient to give them with the personal ter-

mination of the first person singular attached, and to regard

the whole as an affix to the root. This course will henceforth
be adopted. (2) In giving the English equivalent of a Tamil
verb, the form henceforth used will be the English infinitive.
It must be remembered, therefore, that it does not exactly

correspond in meaning to the Tamil root.

276. On the Future Tense. RULE. All roots which take
aQGpGsr in the present tense, take uQussr in the future tense ;

and all roots which take QQp&r in the present tense, take

in the future. Thus

Present Tense LMq-aQQpca Future Tense uiy-uGuesr
 73

277. As an exception to the latter part of the above rule, a

few roots ending in so, sir, sssr, and &ST, which will be specified
hereafter, take Qussr, instead of Qeueisr ; as (oresrSKSpesr fut.

(oreifrQuesr
(258).
278. On the Past Tense. EULE I. Boots which take
in the present, take pG&esr in the past tense ; as

r, past tense uiq-pQfSear.

279. As an exception to the above'rule, roots ending in J^,

some of the few ending in =g^ and the verbs j)(/5 to be, and
to smell, though taking aSKS/nesT in the present, take
stsr in the past. Thus
Present Tense Rt-.<!Gnr>6ar I walk. Past Tense Giik
I exult.

I am.
,, Qt&rraSlQpssr I smell. ,,

280. EULE
Boots which take SlQpesr in the present
II.

tense, sometimes take tiGpssr, sometimes {jftGswesr, and some-

times QjSssr in the past tense ; and sometimes they use a con-
tracted form . Thus
Present Tense ^\<ss>iQQ pm I get. Past Tense
I sleep.

I do.

I take. G><5E/T6z0r(?i_63r.

281. After the above rules have been thoroughly mastered,

it will be observed that there remain only two difficulties with

regard to the tenses of a Tamil verb ;

namely
(1) to ascertain whether the present tense takes QQpsvr
or &@QiD68r; (2) to ascertain, when the present tense takes
whether the past tense takes nQpasr, ^GssiGsr,
r, or a contracted form.

282. In order to explain these two points, Tamil verbs

are divided into seven conjugations, according to the ter-

mination of the root (251).

10
 74

ON THE CONJUGATION OF TAMIL VERBS

The first conjugation includes all roots ending in <jy.

The second ), 08, or <u.

The third e_.

The fourth sssr, or sar.

The fifth ir, or *.

The sixth eo, or srr.

The seventh a long vowel,

or in &.

283. The
three conjugations include by far the greater
first

number of Tamil verbs, those ending in ) and e_

being
the most numerous of all. In the following classification
no notice is taken of a few rare verbs, which specially
belong to the poetical dialect.

THE FIRST CONJUGATION

284. This conjugation includes all roots ending in *J.
285. The present and past tenses are formed by adding
&Qp63T and fiQ<ssf respectively to the root (279). The
future necessarily adds uQush (276). Thus
/5L_ to walk /5_<-jS<3r29S3T KLtkQp<58i fijiuQusirr.

286. As exceptions to the above rule, a few verbs take

pQpsisi in the past tense ;

namely, (1) the verbs <S6sr to be

copious, ^1^ to thrive, /Sp to turn yellow, u& to turn

green, uev to be strong, LG& to be wanton, and (2) a small

set of verbs chiefly representing sounds or sensations, and

formed by the repetition of two short open syllables (87) ;

as &? &J or <PG$ &$ tc rustle, ptfr &sv to glitter.

287. The verb /5<u to be cheap may take either form
of the past tense.

THE SECOND CONJUGATION

288. This conjugation includes all roots ending in @), 8?, or

ILJ. Those ending in ^) form the largest class of Tamil verbs.

 75

289. As a general rule, verbs of this conjugation take

&3Qa)G3r in the present tense, and consequently ^Qpsisr and
uQuesr in the past and future tenses (276, 278). Thus

i$uf- to seize i

ussiL to create usmL^<s

firdj to tilt up <prriu&iQp<stsT

290.In this conjugation, in more than a hundred in-
stances, from the same root are formed both a transitive
and an intransitive verb. In this case the transitive verb

always follows the general rule given above and the in- ;

transitive verb always takes G?/Dsar and /G?#6ar in the pres-

ent and past tenses, and consequently Qsussr in the future

tense (276). Thus
C
jfySl to destroy
to perish

to vex

to be vexed jy&oS(2/6<Jr
to feed cattle GLcuj&&X$/D6gr

to graze GLDiLiaslQrnesr QiDiunQpssT QLDILJ($ sugar.

The following are a few of the principal roots from

which both a transitive and an instransitive verb are
formed -jyszo^ to shake, and to be shaken ;
^sysn.r to grind,

and to be ground ^aS to boil, and to be boiled e-.sjoi_

; ;

to break, and to be broken &.L$ to expel, and to pass ;

away /y3 to tear, and to be torn

;
(^SJO/D
to lessen, and ;

to dwindle ;
r^a0 to heap, and to be heaped up Q<s&fl to ;

make clear, and to be clear Q<ILJ to rub, and to wear away

; ;

Qprriu to soak, and to be soaked; /scbr to wet, and to be

wet ; lss>/D to fill, and to be full ; ^^tp to insert, and to

enter ;
iSlifl to separate, and to be separated ;
/-/szods
to fumi-

gate, and to smoke ;

/-of to fold, and to be folded ; insa^ to
hide, and to be hidden ;
(ipy- to finish, and to be finished.
 76

291. When two roots, having different meanings, are spelt

in the same manner, it is common for one root to follow
the general rule (289) and take (a) aG<nssr, p^ssr, and
sr ; and for the other root to take the forms (b) &^jD9ft
sr, and Qsussr. The following are the principal instances

jtlsinL to close (a), to obtain (b) ; 2>_n/D to be pungent (a),

to abide (b) ; aif to bite (a), to reprove (b) ;

&ifl to taste

saltish (a), to be scorched (b) ;

/nu to bear fruit (a), to be

heated (b) ; uy. to read (a), to subside (b).

292. A few roots belonging to this conjugation take only

the forms in SGpsor, skG^Gsi, and Gsiissr. The following

are some of the most important ;

TRANSITIVE. jy&ir to mingle, =2y/$ to know, .jyai>,z> to slap,

(or =^J) to investigate, <sra$ to throw, asni to churn,

to scoop out, Qurr^ to roll up.

INTRANSITIVE. && to grow moist, <safl to ripen, Q&rr^

to itch, QjStriLj to faint, s/5 to be spoiled, USTILI to spring, or

flow, L>S to be cheap, eQiy- to dawn.

293. The following verbs, all of which end in lit
preceded
by one short syllable, take GJEGK in the past tense. See

paras. 258, 280.

Qsrnu to pluck Q<S;TuJS (2/2)63r
|

Q&ILI to do Q&iuSiQpesT
O/5UJ to weave QfiiuSQpesr Q/suJCJ-sssr

Quiu to rain Quiii&IQpGsr QL/UL/G^SJT

294. The roots sstsa to put and stneii to abuse form their
tenses as follows

<ss)sa to put f)GU&!Qv)6s

<os>su to abuse ansuSlG/Desr

THE THIRD CONJUGATION

295. This conjugation includes all roots ending in
 77

296. All verbs of this conjugation are divided into two

distinct classes, namely, (i)
Eoots ending in e_ which consist
of two short open syllables only (87) ;
as G><s/r to give, <(&)

to be fit and (ii) All roots ending

;
in -, except those included
in class (i) ;
as ^ to run, aiL to tie, Quat- to speak.

297. Class I. As a general rule, verbs belonging to this

class form the present tense in aSGpstir, and consequently
the past tense in ^Gpesr (278), and the future in uQuesr

(276). Thus
ft. to clothe eJSaSQpsar
Q-35/r to give Q&irtS&QGps
OT to lift
up ffrQ&SG/neyr srjsQjf*ir
Ouirjti to sustain QutrjpJ&QQpear Giur

NOTE. It will be of use hereafter to note the following roots

in (a) and (Lg>,

and (b) ^ and jjy, which come under this

general rule :

(a) e_0 to be angry, UQ^ to thicken, J)(* to pull,

Q<s/T(t
to be fat, u(Lg> to ripen, L/(^> to breed maggots.

(&) e_(er5
to be wornaeaten, &j$i to be strong, Oeutem
to bleach.
There are the following exceptions to this general rule :

298. (a) The following roots in (5 and (if, all of which

are in common use, form their tenses as follows:
to be (279)

to arise

to fall aff^SvJpsar eBqgJiQjSfB eQ(iQs)J63r.

to weep
\
e_(7^)
to plough

jG^/r^to worship QpirQpQQpcor Q<5rr(Lg><3<Gsr Qj5ir(igGeussr.

\puircrf) to fight Quir(iP)3lQr>ssr QutrQrjQpisisr QurrrrrjQGuesr.

299. (&) The following verbs take SQ^DSST in the present

tense,and consequently GGUGST in the future (276). These

verbs use a contracted form in the past tense, made
by
 78

doubling the consonant in the final syllable of the root,

and then adding the personal terminations ; as g) past
tense (|D/il$ + srsar)

jD to give

to exist

to heat

j
to laugh

to plant fitSQQpesr KiLQisyr /5G? sugar.

to obtain Qu^i&GpsBr QujnQpsisT Ou^Qsuesr.
N.B. A few additional verbs belonging to this class are

given in para. 301.

300. (c) The following verbs may follow the above for-

mation, but also form a past tense in isG^sssr, which in

most cases is the form more commonly used :

^5(5 to be fit

L to enter

to be

to cease

301. When from a root belonging to this class both a

transitive and intransitive verb are formed, the former
follows (a) the general rule (297), and the latter follows

(&) the rule given in para. 299. Sometimes also when

two roots of different meanings are spelt alike, one takes
the forms under (a), and the other the forms under (b).
The following are the chief instances :

Q<5sS to destroy (a), to perish (b) ;

Qpn-^aj to collect (a),
to be collected (b); L&(8j to augment (a), to become aug-
mented (b) (300) ;
afi to dismiss (a), to leave (b) ;
G>#/r

to join (a), to touch (b) ;

=gy^/ to cut (a), to cease (b) (300) ;

;j to lie down (a), to suffer (b). Thus

to destroy O<s^<3' flMW &4&j5Qpifa
<

Q<5Etl<2/_637
to perish O^fiO/DW
fs$ to dismiss
<sSlLL_Gt-.sar
\<sQQ to leave sQQ(S/Dsyr
(u to lie down u&3lQpear u(t)j5<3<68r uQuQlussr.

\u(l to suffer uQSQ/Desr uL-Qissr u^Qeussr.

302. Class II. This class (296) includes a very large

number of Tamil verbs. As an almost universal rule, they

take QQfDsisr the present tense, and consequently GGUGST

in

in the future tense (276). They form the past tense by

changing final e- of the root into ^Qssrssr (257). The fol-

lowing are examples :

^ to run
<SL_ to tie

QLJ&- to speak Quat-SlQvxssr Qu&Qssrssr Qu&Qeussr.

to write

to comfort

to trust

to steal
to desire Ga/r^QGnoesr Q&rrrflassresr

303. be of use hereafter to note the

It will
following
roots ending in 1^5 and jjy, which come under the above
rule. It will be noticed that some of them occasionally
drop the final e_ of the root ;
as ^j(f^(^ or ^(/^srr to grant.

They are as follows :

6
C "") to g ran t, =gysrr(Sy5 to take up in the hand,
to
(CYT) scoff, ^isojjy (b) to dig out, Qsrr<^ to pinch,
to enclose, ^rsrr^ to reject, ^fsrr^ to leap up,
to to
G^srr^ (SYT) sift, Qi^irsrr^ perforate.
There ars the following exceptions to the general rule given
in para. 302 :

304. (a) Words ending in ), namely, s^uiSl to call

0UL9 to worship, fnuiQl to eat, sW0 to be chilled,

.af-syrsr^ to smart, G?/5/fl to happen, i3fl to stream, form

their tenses like ) (299). Thus
&_uiSl to call, i3n-L/LS)Q;2vD63T an-uiSlilJ3i
 80

305. (b) Words compounded with

u to suffer (301) form

their tenses in the same way as L/. The following are

examples, jyL/u to be caught, <5jpt.j to consent, L//DL//J

to set out, CYotitJ to rise high, Qeusifiuu to issue forth.

(See also paras. 485, 580.) Thus

LjlDUU L-lpUU&lQrDGSr L-lpUULLGL-SSr Ljr)UUQG)J6Sr.

306. (c) The verb Qut to put, and the defective verb
Qurr^i to be sufficient, which is common with a neuter sub-

ject only, form their tenses as follows :

QUIT Guir(bl!Q/D68r

307, (d] A set of verbs formed by the repetition of two

short open syllables (87), as <$$ to throb, Sjp/
to buzz, K3r /*<* to hesitate, (Lp^v (Lp^i to murmur,
to quiver, euQg Quag to babble, are treated as verbs consisting

of two short open syllables only, and therefore follow the

general rule for such words, which is given in para. 297.

These verbs, like those mentioned in para. 286, generally

represent some sound or sensation. Thus

308. The verb O^/r^y (also written Q&Turt) to tell forms

its tenses as follows 'Sfirei^iSQ^ssr. Ofrr^srQesr&sr (rarely

PRELIMINARY REMARK UPON VERBS OF THE FOURTH,

FIFTH, AND SIXTH CONJUGATIONS

309. In regard to verbs of these conjugations, which end

in the mute consonants esa, &n, and /r, p, and ev, en, there

is the following difficulty. On the one hand, some roots

ending in myn } spi, 0, (*$, >i, and (5, and therefore belong-

ing to the third conjugation, sometimes drop

final e^ of the
 si

root. For instances, see para. 303. On the other hand,

some properly ending in one of the above mute
of the roots

consonants, sometimes add the vowel e_ to the root. In

order, therefore, to prevent confusion, under each of the three

following conjugations, reference will be made to those verbs

which have e_ as an essential part of the root, and therefore

fall under the third conjugation.

THE FOURTH CONJUGATION

This conjugation includes all roots ending in essr, and esr.

310. Bead para. 309. The following table includes all

roots of any importance, which belong to this conjugation.

All other roots (e.g. uesar^ii to make, sroaafrjp/ to think ,.<5SL gEU <

to curve, etc.) have the vowel e_ as the essential termination

of the root, and therefore belong to the third conjugation.
Bead para. 277.
to eat

to put on
airGm'SGpesr <swrC L_63r
>

to see atrsssiQusisr.

bring forth fF6srS(S/Dssr

<orsyr to say <or^rSlQ/Dssr

/Sen to eat jlesrQQpsr

311. All the preceding verbs, except srear, may add e_ to

the root in the present and future tenses. In this case the
future takes Geuesr; as &-<5S3r^)iQQfnn, &-6XirGt&ir, a-ewr.jp/
(2SU63T (91).

THE FIFTH CONJUGATION

312. This conjugation includes all roots ending in /f and tp.

313. Bead para. 309.

314. All roots ending in (75
or (t, consisting of two short

open syllables (87), as ^0 to be, i-J(ig

to ripen, have the
vowel e. as an essential part of the root, and consequently
11
 82

belong to the third conjugation. A list of these verbs will

be found in paras. 297 note, and 298. See also para. 307.
315. All roots other than those mentioned in the preced-

ing paragraph, whether ending in the mute consonants /f and

Lp, as G&/T to join, psaip to crawl, or adding the vowel t*-, as

Q&(jrj, p<su(tg, belong to the fifth conjugation. The only

exception to this, is the verb QatrQf) to desire, which has e_

as an essential part of the root, and belongs to the third

conjugation. See para. 302.

316. The way in which verbs of the fifth conjugation
form their tenses, will now be explained.
317. As a general rule these roots take QQpssr and ikQ^&sr
in the present and past tenses, and consequently Qsasar in the
future tense (276). In the present and future tenses the
vowel s- is generally added to the root, but in the past tense
the mute consonant is always used.
318. The following are examples :

^JLLIT (0) to be calm ^jytn^SG/Dsar

p&iLp ((Lg) to crawl <5eu(igQGp<SGr

Q-sir ((7f)) to examine Qjsqi)QQ{DGsr QpirisQpear Q^^Q sugar.

319. From several roots belonging to this
conjugation
both a transitive and an intransitive verb are formed. In this
case the intransitive verb always follows the general rule

given above, and the transitive verb takes the terminations

aQQp&sr, <sQpsr, uQuasr.- (Compare para. 290.) When
taking the latter-mentioned affixes, the vowel e_ is never
added to the root in forming the present and future tenses.
Thus
to break ^siT-sQQp&sr p&iTjsQpsBr <5<siruQu6sr.

to lower

Lp ((if) to
 83

320. The following are the other principal roots from which
a transitive and intransitive verb are formed' jy9 tp to loose,

and to be loose e_^/f to cause to drop, and to drop

; ;
erfslir to

meet and to come in front ; <ssSliQ to capsize, to be capsized ;

G&ir to join, and to come together ;

<<sQir to hinder, and to be
hindered $ir to; finish, and to be finished ;
eu&rr/r to cherish,

and to grow.

321. A few verbs belonging to this conjugation take only

the forms asQQp&r, -sGpesr, and uGussr. The following
are the most important of them e_uS/f to live, s/r/f to be

pungent, (5^fi to be globular, UITIT to see, utrip to go to

ruin, (?a//r to sweat. Thus
uirir to see uirir&QQrDesr urrirpG<6vr umruQuesr.
322. N.B. Eead the latter part of para. 319.

THE SIXTH CONJUGATION

323. This conjugation includes all roots ending in eo and sir.

324. Bead para. 309.

325. The verbs of the third conjugation which end in

<rjj
and g$i, will be found under paras. 297 note, 303, and 308.
326. All other verbs which end in srr or <zn>, though some of

them may sometimes add e_ to the root, as Q-sirerr or

Q&ir&rf&f)
to take, belong to the sixth conjugation.

327. The way in which their tenses are formed will now
be explained.

328. As a general rule, these roots take SQ/oeisr in the

present tense, and consequently Qeaesr in the future tense.
The past tense is formed by changing final f>) and sir of the

root into esrQjossr and essTQiGsr respectively. In the present

and future tenses the vowel e_ is generally added to the root.

(In the case of roots consisting of one short syllable only, the
 84

final mute consonant is doubled before adding e_, in ac-

cordance with para. 91). The following are examples :

to kill.

Qas/refr (srriGnj) Q air GIT ^njQQpest QsiresurQi^esr QarreirtGrfjQ

to take.

329. As exceptions to the above rule, the verbs <sev to

learn, (?<6rr to hear, or to ask, (2^/rsb to be defeated, jpreo

to spin, (2/5/rso to do penance, and affs-o to sell, do not add

e_ to the root ;
but in order to form the present and future

tenses, they change final so and srr of the root into p and
iL.
respectively,
and then add SlQpssr and Quesr (277). The
tense is formed by changing final so and srr of the
past
root into /oG/Dsar and iL<3isr respectively. Thus
sQffO to sell <sQrb&!Qrrj68T

Gam to hear or ask Q&L-QQp

330. The transitive verbs srsi) to receive and iSsrr to

rescue take the forms given in the preceding paragraph :

but the intransitive verbs <&<&> (or sjjjy) to be fit, and ierr

(or L$^nj) to
be rescued follow the general rule given in

para. 328.

331. The verb tied to stand makes tQpQQ<D6sr,

332. NOTE. The past tense is the safest guide to show

whether the root properly ends in e_, or in a mute con-
sonant. For instance, when the past tense ends in jg)<j6W6Br,
it shows at once that the root must end in e_ (302). As
another instance the past tenses >

e_62rarG i_6Jr,
eQpQpesr,
, etc., could only be formed from roots ending in
 85

SZOT, <sti, and srr

respectively ; for Q<5svr is really added ;
and
then, by the laws of euphony, ^ after eaar becomes il;
&) and ,sS become /D/D; and srr and ^ become tltl.

THE SEVENTH CONJUGATION

333. This conjugation includes all roots ending in a

long vowel, or in the vowel ge. Most of them end in the

vowel <.
334. The verbs .jysaarfsaa) to look up, ^^iLtar to be elated,

<sjLarr to exult, LDgtfso/r to fall on the back, form their tenses

like verbs in ^ (285).

335. The following verbs form their tenses in aQG/nesr,
^G<5<ssr, and uQussr namely, sir to preserve, F to comb,
js (or ?uj)
to burn (trans.), to forsake, y, to blossom, Qp
to become old, <?/r to string, and also ^ to equal, and
QUIT to perforate. Thus
<35/r to preserve

g& to equal, or to agree

336. The verb ^ (or =^@) to become is a very im-

portant verb. Its tenses are as follows ^QGpasr, ^Qssrssr,

^Qsustsr. It also forms tenses from ^(5 the other form
of the root ; namely, ^@Q(?/Dsr, ^SGesrstrr or ^aSQesr
sr, ^(SjGeusisr: but these forms are not so often used,

except the word ^uSI/b^u (268). The verb e_633Ti_/r to

happen, is conjugated like ^. The following verbs form

their tenses thus:
337. FF to give i*QQrDsr FFikQpasr

burn(mtr.)
(Jtc/r to smelH QLbir&QQnoeisi QubrribQpsi Q LA IT u
(279) } [Queor.

> QurrSlQfDesr QuirQetsresr

to go (340) j
 86

338. (1) The following verbs are peculiar, as they shorten

the first syllable in
(2) In some grammars
the past tense.
<suir and &ir are given under euQ^ and &Qf), and the former
is so given in Winslow's Dictionary. The latter forms,
however, are never used as imperatives (255), and do not
follow the analogy of the other Dravidian languages. Their

present tenses are irregular.

eurr to come <sv(ffja;!Qr>6Br <sutkQpsisr

&ir to give
&ir to die

G?su to be hot (or burnt) QsuQGpsisr QeuihGlpstsr (SevQeussr.

QflSfr to ache Qr^rrStQ/Desr G)/5/r/5(?^63r Q^rrQsueisr.

339. N.B. The verbs su/r to come and QUIT to go are of

special importance.
340. The verbs QUIT, &rr, Geu, and QKIT may insert (5

before adding Geasisr for the future ;

as Qev^Qeuesr or
QsuQsussr. The reason of this is that there was probably
another form of the root ending in (^/ as Quir^, <&rr(3j,
etc.

341. Eead again para. 283.

342. This chapter on verbs may appear somewhat long

and complicated but when once mastered, it will enable
;

the student to overcome one of the chief difficulties of the

language.
 CHAPTER VI
On Syntax
ORDER OF WORDS AND CLAUSES IN A TAMIL SENTENCE
343. The order of words and clauses in a Tamil sentence
is very different from that of English, and much more

regular. Two invariable rules are always observed in Tamil ;

namely
344. FIRST BULE. The verb always stands last, and so
concludes the sentence ;
as emuujeisr pear urripsstpf arjjAg^gy

uuirtisu uiy-^pirssr. The boy learnt his lesson diligently.

(93 e, c.)

345. SECOND EULE. That which is governed, always pre-

cedes that which governs it. For example

(a) The genitive always precedes the governing noun ;

as uy53fl<5(rf)*>i
ILI
(SjsmLD, men's disposition, or the disposi-
tion of men.
(&) The adverb always precedes the verb ; as ^jeussr

n6sr(y\Liu utruf.^S)68r. He sang well. (93 c.)

(c) The comparison always precedes that which is com-

pared ;
as gjfteufssflgpjLD ^tjeussr
/^ffososusar
(198). That man
is better than this man.
(d) The similitude always precedes that which is similar ;

as (ajrfliuSssruGlLjrrev, ^jeussr iStn&tr&aQtTyGsr (236). He

shines like the sun.

(e) In the same manner all subordinate sentences, ex-

pressing purpose, condition, etc., precede the sentence to which

they are subordinate.
 88

ON THE SUBJECT
346. The subject is always in the nominative case. A
Tamil verb agrees with its subject in gender, number, and
person. Thus js^-fesr saihpir&sr. The carpenter came.

(ajj&G&T euftjgj. The horse came. =gysuT55srr suK^rrir^err.

They came.
347. EXCEPTION (1). Sometimes a subject in the singular
takes a verb in the plural to denote respect; as Qpeueifr

sr0wr<333fl@/r.
The God reflected. It would, however, be
more correct to put the noun also in the plural ; as Gpsuir

348. EXCEPTION (2). When the subject is a neuter noun

in the plural number, it usually takes the verb in the neuter
singular. Thus instead of saying sirifi>uiBJ^<stT KL-.tk<G3T,

it is more common to say srrfiiuiBssfr n>i_fk^$. Things

happened.
349. If the subject be a pronoun, it is often omitted when
the termination of the finite verb sufficiently points out the

person ;
as Gnp^v eu^/rsar. He came yesterday.

ON THE OBJECT
350. All transitive verbs require an object.
351. If the object denotes a rational being, it is
always put
in the accusative case ; as e^(y G&eiia&sr jyguu&t^Gsr. He
sent a servant.
352. Sometimes, when the object denotes an irrational
animal, and still more frequently when it denotes an inani-
mate thing, the nominative case is used for the accusative.

Thus

(95). He gave a book.

353- N.B. If the word 5^(5 were omitted, the former sen-

tence would rather mean He gave the book and the latter
 He gave a book but this distinction is not always observed.
In some instances, when the nominative is thus used instead
of the accusative, it practically forms a kind of compound

with the verb ; as urrsu^ OfiuQ'Sssr. I have sinned (95,

293).
ON THE CASES OF NOUNS
N.B. The nominative case and the accusative case have
already been explained in paras. 346 to 353.
354. The use of the genitive case is to express possession ;

as ^syj-fGDisini uj
<suah)jlgl'TL>:
The king's robe. Hence it is

best to regard this case as the equivalent of the apostrophe 's

in English, and not as the equivalent of the preposition of.

Although the latter is often used in English to express posses-

sion, yet it has other meanings, which could not be translated

by the Tamil genitive case, as shown in paras. 361, 362, 363.

355. N -B. (1) The use of the Tamil inflectional base in

forming compounds is explained in para. 190. (2) e_n/_(L/

is sometimes vulgarly changed into &-i

356. The dative case, besides the meaning to, has also the
meaning for, expressing purpose. In the latter signification

^ is often added to it. Thus 3^sQ^(^ (or 3^eB^irs)

Q<su<fa)63)\Lif Q&tLj^rr<5sr. He did the work for daily wages.
357. When expressing the distance of the place in which
the speaker is, from some other place, the latter is put in the
dative case ; as

jg)/5c
SGB./T &rr i5r> t

&L-iJ^gj&(gju u^^i smiled. This village is

ten miles from Conjeveram. (Lit. to Conjeveram.j

358. N.B. In sentences expressing distance the verb is

frequently omitted.
359. Two dative cases are used to express the force of
the English preposition between, as ^^/D^LO =s>/<s*)(&;u)

lA&isp eQfSplujir&u* fflqijaSp&i (239, 298). There is a

great difference between this and that.

12
 90

360. Hence when expressing the distance between two

places, this form is used. Compare para. 357. Thus

(239, 358). (The distance) between Trichinopoly

and Palamcotta is nineteen kadams, i. e. 190 miles.
361. Nouns denoting the points of the compass govern a
dative case ; as GTSST -sffiLfSa^^ G/S/DQJ. South of my house.
(93 d.)
362. In Tamil the locative case (or the dative case with
s_srr or &-srr(53rr; para. 233) is used, where in English the pre-

position of is used, in the sense of selection, as ^su/rdssrfleo

isrr&ji Giuiu<5s>>j
(or c$]s)jir&(Grfj&(3jsirQGrr) ^sgiuiSli^Gsr (210,

351). He sent four of them.

363. The instrumental case denotes the instrument,

means, cause, agent, etc. The equivalent in English is

expressed, under various circumstances, by the prepositions

with, by means of, of, through, by reason of, by, etc. Thus
&&sar<3i6sr. I saw it with my eye.
so GieuL-uf.f5a)6ST. He smote with a weapon.
He made it of earth (mud).
He did it through hatred.
<f<a]tss)<so
d&jti. This work can be done by him.

(Lit. Is possible by him.)

364. In expressing time, sometimes the nominative is

used ;
as Qftrn^pi ajii><5rrsiir. He came yesterday. Sometimes
also the locative case is used; as (LppairsVjSJsSsi) in former

times. But most frequently the dative is used; as

SUIT come to-day. Kir^sn^^u QUIT go to-morrow.
I shall
f^Q $(TJ)LjGufr.
be for two years in that village.

ON THE TAMIL TRANSLATION OF THE

ENGLISH VERB TO BE
The verb to be is used in English in two ways.
364|.
 91

First, to express existence or non-existence; as, They are

in that room There is no tree in that field.

Secondly, to express the copula, in which case it stands

between two nouns, or between a noun and an adjective,
to express that one is or is not the other as, That is a dog. ;

This is not just.

365. I. In Tamil, in order to express existence, in the

positive the verb Jj) to be is used (298). In addition to

this,the single word e_s33r is also used but it can only ;

occur in sentences which can be translated into English

by the idiom There is, There are, etc. The word e-szrar
may express either present or past time, and may take a

subject of any gender and number, but of the third person

only. (The formation of the word e_533r will be explained

hereafter.)
366. In order to express the negation of existence, the
single word gjftstiSsti is used,which may express either present
or past time, and may take a subject of any gender, number,
or person.

The following examples illustrate the way in which the

verb to be is expressed in Tamil, when it
signifies existence:

@)isj5 ^GnpuSlev j|)(75^S(?/D63T (298, 349).

I am in this room.

Where were you yesterday ?

^Stfisussr (5rrSstr&(Sj ^jfE}Q& ^(T^uuiresr (144, 364).
He will be there to-morrow.
Gsu^o^F<55/rj-/r<55err ^ytkp o^Ll^ffi) jjfifTJjaQfTyiraisir (149, 132).
The workmen are in that house.

egjuuL-t 6issr<
j$<s\) upg] (Guir) a/ IT <spair ssrr e_6Mr or

[&<Tf)&Q(y$s& (172).
There are ten merchants in that town.
or
There are ten rupees in that box. [ (209, 348).
 92

@K5<*
F& (or a-3r
gram. ^)(^^ssr, 235, 348).
Yesterday there were seven books on that table.
<a/<L/6$6\) ^)ff^o (366).
^fflj/rsrsTT .jy/5^

They are not in that field.

GJiueSlev
^RJS (9jJBl<ss>T&<cr[r gjfieti&v.

There are not any horses in that field or There are no

horses in that field (250).

/5/rsar QI^JD^I ^laQs gjfteoSsO.

I was not there yesterday.

367. II. When in English the verb to be is the copula,

it may be followed by a noun or by an adjective.

368. (a)
When it is followed by a noun, in Tamil, in

the positive the verb is usually entirely omitted. If it be

inserted, it is the verb g)(/5,
with the word ^iu invariably

it. This word ^ILI is the verbal participle of the

preceding
verb M or =^(5 to become (336), as will be explained here-

after. Thus in Tamil, instead of saying A thing is so and

so_ ae y say
t A thing is, having become so and so.
369. In the negative, the single word =gy<ffOs\) is used, which
or past time, and agrees with a subject of
expresses present
number, or person.
any gender,
The following examples illustrate the above remarks :
/5/rssr &Gtssr&*'s!ff or /5/r5Jr

I am an accountant.

Thou art not an accountant.

^su/fafsrr ^ss
They are grooms.

Gran (^ui/ry/rasrr

My sons are not merchants.

^esKiaaar
u><rfBaar. (^ (0)BSjD& 348.)

Those are trees.

 93

These are not trees.

That is not a dog. It is a jackal.

370. (&) When in English the verb to be is followed

by
an adjective, in Tamil a similar construction is never used.
Thus, He is good, could not be translated into Tamil by
^sussr Ksi><st>, which would have no meaning. In Tamil, the
composite noun (186) is used as ^ya/sar ftGixstieussr. He is
;

a good man. In English He is good is equivalent to He is

a good man but ;
the English idiom permits at pleasure the

ellipse of the noun. This cannot be done in Tamil. Hence an

adjective after the verb to be in English, is, as a general rule,

translated into Tamil by a composite noun. This being the

case, the same rules apply as .are given in paras. 368 and 369.
The following are a few examples :

.jysUOTT /5ff06061/63T, Or, ^GUGST K&Sei)SUiG3)lU ^)(^^Sl(7y-5yr (368).

He is a good man, or, He is good.
&_srrsrr sugar
^tfsussr fthGptrspLb (193, 194).
He is joyful or He is a joyous man.
^jysusrr ^Lp&trGfrsiisir ^Gdev; ^QfEi-SLcfrisyr&Jsrr (368).
She is not beautiful, but ugly. (Lit. a beautiful one, or
a beautiful woman.)

This picture is not beautiful or is not a beautiful one.

Compare J)^f .jytp^/rsw UI_LC> ^t/s\)&> (193).

This is not a beautiful picture.

^K^LJ u/Ti_/Ef<g5srr
^aj^las -^(ey^su/rsijreznsy^syr.
These lessons are very easy.
371. When the subject is not an animate object, in
many
instances it is common in Tamil to use an abstract noun
to express an English adjective after the
copula. Thus _
D,ji7 iSujiTiLiU) : ^jgn rSuumuLci
.jyffOso.
This is just: (but) that is not just. (Lit. This is
justice:
that is not justice.)
 94

This is right : that is not right. (Lit. This is

propriety,
etc.)

These lessons are very easy. (Lit. easiness.)

^y^7 <gt\$& <5Gpt(LpLr> ^JSOGV, ()Qeo&Li> .jy^oo (239).

It is neither very difficult, nor very easy. (Lit. It is

not a difficulty and it is not easiness.)

:

372. In Tamil there is also another construction that

is used in certain instances to express the English ad-
jective after the copula. It is made by affixing adver-
bial <j^u!/ (and sometimes ^&) to a noun (246), and adding

the verb ^)0. In this case the verb and JJQUJ cannot be

omitted, because jj^uj is here not the participle (368), but

an adverbial termination to the noun. Hence also in the

negative, <J$uJ
is retained, and the word $$%&> added.
The following are examples:

&-<&LBmLj
^sussr ^jt& $XTfjaQ(ff?Gsr (246).
He is very happy.

He is severe.

He is not severe.

This book is dirty.

This paper is not clean.

Be (thou) careful !

Virtuous people are kind to living creatures.

$.B. This form of expression is generally used when

the subject at a particular
denoting the particular state of
 95

time; whereas the forms given in paras. 370, 371, gener-

ally denote the innate quality and condition of the
subject. Thus This horse is a bad one (innate quality)
would be rendered in Tamil ^)K^<S (&jj!<sn<j Q&iLifp.
But This horse is bad, i.e. sick (particular condition)
would be rendered mfB& (Vjjslsnv
Gwreumu jfrqijaQiDgi.
373. Closely akin to the above kind of sentences, are
such expressions as the following :

fSssruurr<s (rSSssruLj thoughts.) .

^ljsisrG!LD'3<s\) QfyTgfySir&r
He was intent upon it. (Lit. He was thoughtfully upon it.)

In English the copula often occurs in a sentence

374.

expressing possession as, This horse is the merchant's.

;

That box is not mine. Such sentences are expressed in

Tamil by the genitive ending in e_<33)i_uj (109) with one

of the pronominal affixes (187) attached the to it. As
word thus becomes a composite noun, it follows the rules

given in paras. 368 and 369. Thus

$j$Rp<5 (3jJl<5S)J 6ll!T^p&6gUSS>l_aj3>) (119).
This horse is the merchant's.

^jftjSu QuiLisf- GrssrGgisinLUJ&i jysi)6) (156).

That box is not mine.
<]fofi^& &JSJSI&&IT lutTQ^sstu-Uj'Stneussrr? (165).
Whose are these knives?

Compare ^)as)susstr iLifr^&sii^iu -s^^-ssff?

Whose knives are these ?

N.B.The difference in the use of ^sticfco and jy<ffi)6\>

must be most carefully noted. The former denies exist-
ence, the latter is the copula. Thus /5/ruJ {jfteoSso means
There is no dog. Kirdi
^&>ef> means It is not a dog.

375. The word used idiomatically, where in

<jyeo<s\> is

English we use the expression it is not but, in such . . .

a sentence as the following:

ILJIEJ
Slenia^Ln (95, 148).
It ia not from vice, but from virtue that happiness is

obtained.
 96

ON THE TAMIL TRANSLATION OF THE ENGLISH VERB

TO HAVE
376. The verb to have is expressed in Tamil by the verb
to be, or by the word e-saar
(365), preceded by a dative
case. The negative is expressed by g)^>)&o. Thus

I have (some) money. (Lit- There is money to me.)

He has no horse. (Lit. There is not a horse to him.)

377. Instead of the dative case, the postposition

is sometimes used ; as

He has no knives.

He has neither virtue nor pity. (239.)

ON THE AFFIXES z, ^, AND &

378. The affix <zj is used to denote emphasis ; as

in that way, ^uuis^Qiu in that very way ;

d?/_!_i.G<s\) in the

house.
379. (1) Sometimes ar is added merely for euphony (148).

(2) Sometimes the particle ptrssr (169) is used with it; as

^EiQ^s ptrQesr in that very place only. (3) Sometimes it is

doubled to denote strong emphasis ; as ^jeuir GL&QetiQuj upon

him alone.

380. The affix

^ is used to denote a question ; as ^suesr

suti^rrsvr He has come, .jya/ear su/h^ir^ ? Has he come ?

cgy a/gar sif/r^sS? .2>^53) ? Is he a merchant? /&

5fr@8)
rtK&eussr?

(169) Are you the potter? Here the emphasis falls on you.
/
(a^si/ig)
? Are you a potter ? Here the emphasis falls
on potter.
 97

381. The affix :g& is also used to denote a question ;

but it

usually implies doubt. Hence in expressing a doubtful alter-

native it is generally used. Thus

Is that a banian tree, or a mango tree ?

382. N.B.It there is already an interrogative in the

sentence, neither Jj nor g& can be used. Thus

iLjirir
GiiKjSirssr ? Who has come ?

^ffijg sff
(u/r0oi_(L/^/ ? Whose is that house ? (374).
383. The affix ge is idiomatically attached to a word to put

it in strong contrast. It may be compared to the English

expression but as for. Thus

(199, 209, 304).

But as for the elephant, it eats a thousand times more
than a dog.
384. The affix &, when affixed to an interrogative, gives it

an indefinite signification ; as snaGa where ?

somewhere or other. Thus
]

(jl)6u<sGlLj3>Bleo <oriEjQ&uuir'.g$iLb (j^Qfj&Q (y <g) ? (179.)

Is he anywhere here ?

He is here, somewhere or other.

The answer in the negative would be as follows :

^)<^j<sSlLjS^<^) <ortEi(ajLn gjfistiSsd (175).

He is nowhere here.

385. The affix ^ is attached to the last word in a sentence

to make it a noun sentence, i.e. a sentence which stands in

the place of a noun to some other verb. Such noun sentences

often are used to express a doubtful alternative. Thus
toTeisrssr Qi^ffiiLjLmr?
^IGUSST Q&tLiSiJirQfSS), -Ub&(3j<5
Do you know what he will do ? Lit. Is what he will do known
to you ? (Here the noun sentence is the subject of

13
 (371).
Tell me whether this is just or not.

386. The affix ^ is put at the end of a sentence which

contains an interrogative,when it is immediately followed
by another sentence containing the corresponding demon-
strative, This at first sight appears to correspond to an

English relative sentence ; but it really answers to such

English sentences as use the words whoever, whatever, etc.

(The way in which English relative sentences are expressed

in Tamil, will be explained in the next chapter.) The
following are examples of this use of 2 :

<oT^J /5_#(2>(2tjD/7-, Jifgl /5_<55(5ii (265, 285).

Whatever will happen, (that) will happen.

&m (232, 368).

Lit. Whoever live with esteem, they are the happy people,
i.e. The illustrious are the truly happy.

aeir (149, 368).

They are as great blockheads in worldly matters, s they are

clever in learning. (Lit. However clever they are in learning,

so much blockheads are they in worldly matters.)

 CHAPTER VII
On the Infinitive Mood, the Verbal Participle, Relative

Participles, Participial Nouns, Affixes attached

to Relative Participles, and Verbal Nouns

ON THE INFINITIVE MOOD

387. The infinitive mood is formed by adding =2y
to roots

which take QQIDGBT in the present tense, and ata to roots

which take &l(3/D6sr. When adding .jy, the rules given in

paras. 88 to 92 are carefully observed. The following are

examples of the infinitive mood:
Pres. Tense =^ysn/_Q(?/D03r Infin. ^fsmi_iu to obtain.
ui_ to suffer.

QatrairGir to take,

to learn,

to walk.

388. In the following instances the formation of the infini-

tive is irregular. (Compare para. 266.) Thus

P. Tense G&iLQ<3pn Infin. GL! to hear.

i$p& to stand.

-spas to learn.

p? to give.

GUT to come.

^ to become.
&tr& to die.
Qttrra (alsoG/5/ra/) to ache.
 100

QUIT P. Tense GuirSlQpGtr Infin. QUITS to go.

to burn.

and $$&& to eat.

si-gar ,, <orssrSl(c^DS3T ,,
Grew and srsarszrr to say.

e_620r ,, e_633rS(?/DS3r e-szorszor and e_s33r<55 to eat.

389. The following sentences illustrate the use of the

infinitive :

Tell him to come.

(&)iq-<&& &<<5T)$lL]LCt

They gave rice-water to drink, and clothes to put on.

umJ~<3S< 611l'53>
*s>j68>j3>U

They came to see it.

(3kL-.<oini _
(489).
Receive this branding, so that she may obtain happiness.

390. N.B. The infinitive often expresses purpose, as in

the last two examples.

391. In Tamil the infinitive is idiomatically used to
conclude a subordinate sentence, which in the correspond-

ing English is introduced by the particles as, whilst, or

when. Thus

When things were thus, one day a fowler came.

<9=c55iSV) L//T/f<55<3?,, /56YT
gS3T/H<95(^a) ^GtSTfi'SLbmu (?SUi^_<55S3)<^

LD-5E/T TITBIT LJTfS8)<U l$! Jf a^SSST LD USm&Ssfi^S)^ (82,246).

Whilst all the people were joyfully looking at the spec-

tacle, King Nala paraded the town.

392. This form is specially common with the infinitive

erevr to say, in recording conversations. Thus

'strifluju) sri'jLjty- Q fitfi L-igp J srsar, i-fCty STSS/VDJP.

When (they) said

'
How did the affair happen ?
'

the

dove replied, etc.

 101

393. The infinitive is sometimes idiomatically used as a

polite imperative or optative form as /f/r Q&rred<s\) or Qfrred

;

Please to say.

ON THE VERBAL PARTICIPLE

394. The verbal participle is formed from the first per-
son of the past tense, by dropping final <sisr, and chang-

ing the preceding <sj into &-. Thus

P. Tense ^sniGGpssr Ver. Partic. =gys3)L_/5^y having got.

uiy-fB^j having learnt.

(301) uLL having suffered.

(310) sreyr^J having said.

,,
Q&trsssrQLGsr (328) Q^/rsaar having taken.
395. There is one clas's of exceptions to this rule,

namely, roots ending in e_, which form their past tense in

(jfrQesTGsr (302). These verbs form the verbal participle by

simply dropping final Qsarsyr of the past tense. Thus

P. Tense ^ifiiEiQQsifrssr Ver. Partic. ^ftfEiSl having s u b-

mitfced.

<5r(igll<36STS3r ^rQf^l having written.

,, <55Lli9_(o6arsar ,, <L!^L having tied.

396. The following verbal participles require special

notice :

P. Tense2)^/r<s3rG?63rs37- rarely O-ffn^xsQQsurssr Ver. Partic. Qftr

&><&.
(308)
QufraSQesresr Qurriu.
Quir(S<ssr6!rr(33T)

^Qssrsyr (336) ^uSlGsnrssr ^vu.

397. The special use of the verbal participle in Tamil
is to express a subordinate action performed by the sub-

ject of the principal verb. In English such actions are

usually expressed by a series of finite verbs, coupled together

by conjunctions. The Tamil idiom, on the contrary, rejects
 102

such a succession of finite verbs, and expresses all but the

last by verbal participles. Thus

?/JL<55(3jL/ Qurnu, ^gya/ear <iriutr/flL-^l$<sV Q&rrGti

(150, 308).
I shall go to his house, and tell his mother. (Lit. Having
gone to his house, I shall tell his mother.)

isifi
6T(TfjfiesflL-.j5/tb Quirdiu Qu& (94, 617), $0ff/v/5nrau_
l&QfjLbiSl <su,i^i (232), ^6j6r/_LD usmessfl (LpsisrQssr
iQssr
(352),
p& (331).
The fox went to the ox, and spoke to it, and came again

to the lion, and made obeisance, and stood before it. (Lit.
The fox having gone . . .
having spoken, etc.)

urreti
Lj^ssr ^ssr/sG^/rjz/to ^^asSi^^lp^ eutkg], Q^L<S
Spg] (145, 238),
The cat comes to me daily, and drinks milk. (Lit. The cat

having come to me daily, drinks milk.)

^KS5U GlUL-t^-iSf)LU
<oT< 3j]<5
t;
Q SIT 6S3I SUIT.

Bring that box. (Lit. Having lifted up that box, having

taken it, come.)
398. From the preceding examples it will be observed,

(1) that the Tamil verbal participle, as a general rule, expresses

an action which is performed by the subject, previously to the
action described by the concluding verb and (2) that in the
;

corresponding English, the chain of finite^ verbs

are all put in

the same tense as the concluding verb.

399. (1) Occasionally the Tamil verbal participle ex-

presses an action which takes place simultaneously with the

action described by the principal verb. This form of expres-
sion usually answers to such English sentences as place the

present verbal participle immediately after the English verb.

(2) In sentences of this kind, the Tamil verbal participle often

expresses the manner in which the action described by the

finite verb is done, and hence is sometimes best rendered in
 103

English by an adverb. The following examples illustrate the

above remarks :

I came walking.

&"h a"?
Run ! Eun !
(Lit. Come running.)

S5 (8jQ?)i<GVT ^i^ssr arr2s$^ ^Ls8u umr^^rresT (617).

One blind man examined it, (by) feeling its leg.

jysu/r<srr ^ft^isiQu Qu&tefyir&GJT (617).

They spoke submissively. (Lit. Having submitted.)
400. Sometimes the force of the verbal participle in Tamil
can be best expressed in English, by inserting a particle.
Thus
t sT&frSosru i_imr<^i, sQat-.-iA uetssresufl^iu (352).

When you saw me, you made a joke. (Lit. Having seen
me.)

(300, 386).
Do whatever is proper to do, after having very carefully
deliberated (on the subject).

401. A verbal participle is sometimes used absolutely, that

with a different subject from that of the principal verb.
is,

When translating from English into Tamil, this construction

must be used with great caution, and only where the verbal
participle is one that is allowed to be so used in idiomatic
Tamil. Thus

The split having contracted, and its body having been

crushed, the monkey died.

G^/TL/LO euik&i, QUIT! QUIT! sresi^ssT

(Lpi-.6gi]&(&)a (310).
The blockhead got angry, and said go !
go !
(Lit. Anger
having come to the blockhead, he said go !
go !)
 104

402. The verbal participle is used absolutely in the follow-

ing kind of sentences, expressing lapse of time. Thus

Ssuuear eSityis&iQuirii (298, 579), u<s<ji eu(r^s^il>

(268).
It is ten years since my father died. (Lit. My father

having fallen, ten years have elapsed.)

403. In idioms like the following, the verbal participle
is used absolutely

gj)6s><5<p QfiretisQu utu&sr torssrssr ?

(396.)
What is the good of saying this ? (Lit. Having said this,

what good !)

404. When the particle e_ii (239) is affixed to a verbal

participle, the form thus made has the force of an Eng-

lish past tense, preceded by the word although. This
form expresses concession. Thus

Although I remained, he went away. (Lit. I having even

remained, he went away.)
?
jysU63T QuirtLfLCi, S>53>/L_a5(SjG'a5/r (396.)
Although he has gone, will he get it ? Implies I do
not think he will get it (381). (Lit. Will it be obtained ?)

ON RELATIVE PARTICIPLES
405. There are no relative pronouns in Tamil, but
a Tamil verb has certain forms, called relative participles,
which provide for the formation of what correspond
to English relative sentences. Relative participles are
indeclinable.

406. There are three relative participles, the present,

the past, and the future. They are formed from the third

person singular neuter of the corresponding tenses, by

simply dropping final ^. The third person neuter of the
 105

future tense does not end in g$, so no change whatever

is made. Thus
Pres. tense, Pres,

Sing. 3rd neuter ^<ssttS/D^i rel. partic.

Past

Future
The following are a few examples:
Pres. rel. Past. rel. Future rel.
Boot
partic. partic. partic.

uu}- (267) Lju/-&Qp uis^.^^ uis}-&(3jLc> (265).

u (270)

(302)
toT&aSlr)
(310) (5rsifr/D

Qatar (328)
QUIT (337) QuirQ/D Qurrear
O/J/T^LD (266).
SUIT
(338) &1K3, (266).
GllQJjQjD GllQfjLL

ji)'*;5
'

$)(/5 (298) Q5&&p <

<

^(5" )
(265).
407. (1) The past relative participle of verbs which
take ^Qssresr in the past tense (302) may change final ear

into ILJ; as er^^sar or OT^^UJ. See para. 268. (2) The

past relative participle of ^ or ^(^ to become is
^ear
or CM&/ILJ.

Carefully study the following remarks:

408. (1) A relative participle is always immediately fol-

lowed by the word, which, in the corresponding English,

is the antecedent to the relative pronoun: and the whole
Tamil relative participial clause (like the relative sentence
in English) stands in an adjectival relationship to that

word.
409. (2) Belative participles take the same construction
as the verbs of which they form a part : hence they
always have a subject, and, if transitive, an object.
14
 106

Being themselves indeclinable, they do not vary, whatever

be the gender, number, or person of their subject.
410. (3) The Tamil relative participle is equivalent to
the relative pronoun and the verb of the corresponding
English relative sentence; and if the English relative

pronoun be preceded by a preposition, that preposition also

is included in the Tamil relative participle.

411. (4) The relative pronoun, included in the Tamil

relative participle, is sometimes the subject, sometimes the
and sometimes

1234 governed by a preposition.

object, it is

The following sentences illustrate theabove remarks :

412. anuujssr uiy.<5<g UTL^^SQ>^ eurr&.

433 2112
Bead the lesson which the boy learnt.

The relative participle uiq.pp is immediately followed by

uiri<5eit><, which answers to the word 'lesson', which

is the antecedent to the English relative pronoun and the :

whole Tamil relative participial clause

snutussr ui$.p<s

stands in an adjectival relationship to uiri s

<sy>
1
5.
'

The relative participle uiq-^p means

'
which learnt ;

<ss>uojsr is its subject, and the relative pronoun, included

in uiy-pp, is its object.

1 2 3 4 5
GvuiLjSssra <5uUi5l.
413. jyfijSLJ ufTipopu uuf-<5
5443
Call the boy who
3
learnt that lesson.
1 2

Here the relative participle uisf-pp means who learnt. The

and u/
relative pronoun included in it is its subject,

is its object. The whole relative participial clause

urr^sat^u u^p stands in an adjectival relationship to

63)utLi$ssr, which is the word which answers to the antecedent

to the English relative pronoun.

 107

1 2 3
414. GinuiUGSr urrL-<5<SV><

56443 311322
Where is the book from which the boy learnt the lesson ?

Here the relative participle uty-<s<5 means from which. . .

learnt. The relative pronoun and the preposition which

governs it, are both included in the relative participle (411).
The word snuajssr is the subject of uis^^^, and
urri_p<ss>p
is its object.

415. N.B. The word which

is qualified
by the relative
participial clause(and which answers to the antecedent in
the corresponding English), takes the case required by its

position in its own sentence. Thus in the first of the

above sentences u/rL_<<5s><5 is the object after <surr& ; and in

the last sentence Lj&op&u> the subject of j)(n)&8p&i

is .

416. The following are additional examples :

.jy/EjG?<s QutrQp ujsafyssar IL//T/T?

(or iMSsfi^^ir?^
Who is the man who is going (along) there?
/? Kirckir (SsuSs\) torssrssr?
&(&)<& OfiuiLjLn (364.)
What is the work which you will do to-morrow ?

^gysu/fassfr (^t^u3(T^^Qr>
d? $}&piT<gS) ?
(169, 380.)
Is this the house in which they are living?

^jjj& Si J rr LAfBgji u i-ji__sstsusok Qsiy^ewaQti enssm ^sss)&sr

er(Ei3<s? (128, 324.)

Where is the washerman who washes the clothes of this

village ? (Lit. who bleaches.)

417. N.B. The future relative participle is often used,

as in the preceding example, to express habit or custom (256).

The following remarks will be found useful : .

(a) On the relative participles of Transitive verbs

418. (1) If the subject only of the relative participle
is expressed, the relative pronoun, included in the relative
 108

participle must be the object after that relative participle. For

an example, see para. 412.
419. (2) If the object only of the relative participle is

expressed, the relative pronoun, included in the relative parti-

ciple, must be the subject of that relative participle. See

para. 413.
420. (3) If both the subject and the object of the relative

participle are expressed, the relative pronoun included in the

relative participle must be governed by some preposition.
See para. 414.
(6) On the relative participles of Intransitive verbs
421. (1) If no subject be expressed, the relative pronoun,
included in the relative participle, must be the subject of that
relative participle. See the first sentence in para. 416.
422. (2) If a subject is expressed, the relative pronoun,
included in the relative participle, must be governed by some

preposition. See the third sentence in para. 416.

423. An adjectivemay stand between the relative participle
and the noun which it
qualifies. Thus

I see a large tree which is upon the bank.

424. The present relative participle is frequently used,
where in English the imperfect past tense is employed in the
relative sentence. Thus

<fiEi(3& g&0 LO/T QuxuaQp <ss>uuj$sar

(352).
The merchant called a boy who was feeding an ox there.
425, The future sometimes used
relative participle is also

in the same manner. Thus

l-feSl jy/Ef<2<35

In a certain jungle, a certain tiger troubled the beasts which

were living in it.
 109

ON PARTICIPIAL NOUNS
426. The relative participles take the pronominal affixes

(187), and thus are formed a large class of composite nouns

(186), called participial nouns. Like all composite nouns they
are declined like the pronouns from which they borrow their
terminations.
Thus from the relative participles of the verb GI&ILI to do

(293), are formed the following participial nouns :

427. (a) Present time

He who does.

She who does.

It which does.
He (honorific) who does.

They (m. & f.)

who do.

Q & uj Sir) <sm sa &s(r ~\

. _ They (neu.) who do.
or Qfiu&psmeu 3

428. (b) Past time

He who did.

She who did.

It which did.

He (honorific) who did.

They (m. & f.)

who did.

l
.
They (neu.) who did.
or Q&ujjSiotnsu 3

429. N.B. It will be noticed that in the case of the neuter

participial nouns, the singular form, both of the present and

past time, is just the same as that of the neuter third person

singular of the respective tenses.

430. (c) Future time
Future participial nouns are not very often used, except in
the neuter. Besides future time, they are also used to express
habit or custom (417). They are formed direct from the root
 110

by adding u to roots which take SQpsin in the present,

and uu to those which take -xSQ^eifr, and then affixing the
pronominal affixes ; as Q&UJ, Q&ILIU, Q&UJUGUSBT; uu}.,

uis^uu, utq-uusiJGsr. In the former class of words, LJ

is changed into su in the neuter singular, except after &a ;

as GtFuJffljjp, Gissrugji. Thus

He who does (417), or will do.
She who does, or will do.

It which does, or will do.

He (honorific) who does, or will do.

Qfiuusurr&srr They (m. & f.)

who do, or will do.

> They (neu )

which do, or will do

431. The neuter singular of the future participial nouns

from QUIT to go, SUT to come,
<J$
or J$(#j to become, Q&etr
to hear, and ersar to say, are Gutrsugj, sv^&u^
QsiLugi, and GTGVIU&I.
432. (1) Instead of ^sussr and *fsvf, the affixes

and >* are sometimes used (188) ; as ui^-^QjSrr

Qprrir, instead of uts}.<<siiG8r, ui^^surr. (2) Occasionally
the neuter plural of the participial noun takes the old
form in ssrr (159) ; as Q&iu^&iasrr for G&ujpensu&sir.

433. Those past relative participles which may take

ear or ILJ as their final letter (407), may take either form in
the participial noun formed from them ;
as zr^^ssrsuesr
or srq.g^iLiGusBr, etc.

434. The following are examples of the use of parti-

cipial nouns:

$ss>:& GiftLJuGusir ersusrr ? (164.)

Who is she that (or who) will do this thing?

LU/TIT

Who is he that created the heaven and the earth?'

 Ill

(308, 329.)
Do you hear what he said? (i.e. that which he said).

egjtEiQ-s ^(trjftp SUIT <s&fleti J0 <urr&lffl ^rr^ik^ir^r.

Amongst those who were there, there was a certain scamp.

OT
^uuisf-<P Q&rrGsresrgti'&toiflssr utussr ffreifrssr? (For
(432.)
What is the meaning of the things which they thus spoke.
435. In English, where the sex is not specified, we may
say Who coming ? In the same way, in Tamil the
is it

neuter participial noun may be idiomatically used, as in the

following sentence :

(2/5/D.jy e_s37 ssfiipjsiGti euti^pfrir? (euti^gj + tuirir.) (238.)

Who was it that came to you yesterday ?
436. In addition to the usage explained above, neuter

singular participial nouns, as euQ^S/j^i, GiiKpap, GU^GIJ&I,

are frequently used as nouns expressing the action, and are

then equivalent to English participial nouns ending in ing, as

coming, doing, etc. The following examples illustrate this

use of neuter singular participial nouns :

/
^UUiq-<P QiflLlQrDgl J5SS>Lb (371).
Your doing so is wrong or It is wrong for you to do so.

^euSssru yt&t99 ssxsuuu^i pQtjiALG .jysoso (294, 371).

not right to keep him alive. (Lit. on the earth.)
It is

psisr rGjjslGyn ^/DK^J Qurrsifr<ss>j5& (Sjnfip&ip

ear
(168, 206, 236, 579, 580).
A certain king grieved over the death of his horse. (Lit.
concerning his horse dying.)

a/^t^ (266, 310).

By thus forming a friendship, you will be ruined.
437. It must be most carefully noticed, that the Tamil

neuter participial noun takes a subject in the nominative

case ; whereas the corresponding English participial noun
 112

cannot do so; but governs the noun in the genitive case,

or turns it into an adjective. Thus ^uuiy-f G>fiu<sug] /

literally translated would be you doing so ,

/
being the
subject of Qfiusu^i; but in English we say your doing so.

438. The dative case of the neuter participial noun is

often used to express purpose, where in English the infinitive

mood is generally used. The infinitive mood may also be

used in Tamil. See para. 390. Thus

They came to see it.

(Lit. For the seeing it.)

gry/5/T63rti ussar52vunr> <?)(&) GjfluSlQei)

Jj^E/S^sar (302,
352, 379).
He descended into the pool, in order to bathe. (Lit. For
making a washing.)
439. The force of an English subordinate sentence begin-
ning with the word before, is often expressed in Tamil
by the word ^Lpssr . before (or its equivalent, as given in
para. 234), or by the word e_srr or e_srr(?srr within (233) affixed

to the dative case of a neuter participial noun. Thus

(380.)
Did he know your disposition, before he formed a friend-
ship with you? (Lit. Was your disposition known to him,
previous to his forming a friendship?)
itir&ir 6U/5JS7 Q<r<Ti)lpjSfb(3j5irQeirf ^ik^^ ^rS^j sut^gj.
That order cme, before I arrived. (Lit. Within the tim
of my coming and arriving.)

ON AFFIXES ATTACHED TO RELATIVE

PARTICIPLES
440. The relative participles take certain affixes, denot-

ing time, manner, purpose, etc.; as Qurgp when, suanT^^ti

as far as, until, u<q- according as, etc. When thus used,
 113

they may be regarded as being no longer relative participles ;

but as forming with the affix, that which answers, in English,

to the introductory particle (e.g. as, when, etc.) and the
verb of a subordinate sentence.
441. The particle in English always begins the subordi-
nate sentence ; but in Tamil the particle always ends it.
The compound form composed of the relative participle and

its affix does not change, whatever be the gender, number,

or person of its subject.
Thus Qutrssr the past relative participle of Qurr to go,

and the particle t5lsaTL-j after, form the compound

which is used as follows :

G? U I

g)tLi-iriraetr (149, 299, 345).

3133 24 4
workmen made
6 5
a row.
After I had gone home, the

442. N.B. These subordinate sentences are called adver-

bial sentences, because they stand in an adverbial relationship
to the sentence to which they are subordinate.
443. The principal affixes which are thus compounded
with relative participles to form subordinate (adverbial)
sentences, will now be explained and illustrated. They are

arranged alphabetically
444. (1) The affix ^srr-G<s\) (from .J/STTSI/ measure)
expresses time. It is usually attached to a future relative

participle, and means when, as soon as. It is used in books

rather than in conversation. Thus

i-Tir (172, 204, 217, 580).

When the king questioned these five persons, he was
amazed.
 J14

445. (2) For the affix ^srrayLb look under

(460).
446. (3) The affix <JI,<BIGV (from <$)tLt> place, oppor-

tunity) expresses time. It is attached to a relative par-

ticiple in the sense of when. It is used in books rather

than in conversation. Thus

When I enquired, he told me the whole matter (183).

447. (4) The affix e_/__3r or v-iQesr (from e_t_ssr im-

mediately) expresses time. It is affixed to a past relative

participle, and means immediately, as soon as. Thus

s G>a;irsT<Bgi (302, 328).

As soon as they had aroused the tiger, it seized and
killed them.
448. (5) The affixes uiy. , uisf-Qiu
or
uiy-&(3j (from uiy.
a step), when joined to a present or a past relative par-

ticiple, express manner ; and have the meaning of as,

according as. Thus

I shall do as he said.

449. (6) The affixes uiy-, uuf-&(&j, uiy-tLjtriLi or

when joined to a future relative participle, express pur-

pose, and have the meaning of in order to, so that. Thus

^ysu^a/a^^ jSujGij suQF)Li>uui-&(aj, Q&sSi^jSmrasir (266,

406).

They did homage, in order that he might show them

favour. (Lit. So that pity might come to him.)

450. (7) The affix u^.iurrs\> (or uquiS^ffD 145) is some-

times added to a present relative participle, but more

frequently to a past relative participle to express the

 115

cause ;
and may be translated by reason of, on account
of, because. Thus

OT
(183, 192, 308).

I have said all these things to you, because I am now

going to a far country.

anrirrssr (301, 336, 489).

Because great darkness came on, he lay himself down

in the way.

451. (8) For the affix uifiiuKjStii look under 6uss>Ta(&jLb

(460).
452. (9) The affix iSkr/rJii (manner) is attached to a

past relative participle, to express manner. It means

according as, as. It is used chiefly in books. Thus

I have done as you commanded (289, 293).

453. (10) The affix i^ssr (and its equivalents

iSlssTLj, L9v)(3j, etc.) is attached to a past relative partici-

ple to denote time. It means after, after that. Thus

^stf/5/rsrr
Gu'T63ri363Ti-i, pl^LciSl euitpiroff (209, 337, 338).
After a few days had passed, he returned.

454. (11) The affix

Qurr^iL (from Qufr^&r property)
is attached to a future relative participle to denote pur-
pose, and means in order to.
It is used more in books than in conversation. Thus

(Thus 138, 183, 305, 310,

353, 395).
All the doves alighted, in order to eat the grain, and
were caught in the net,
 116

455. (12) The affix Quiraji or G>utr<igg] (time) may be

any of the relative

affixed to participles to denote time ; and
then means when or whilst. Thus
<oTfEi(S<5 QuSSSfCJSaSr LJbTLSlLimr
^SgpJLL d?Ll<35(25 ^jSgUUlSl
ssxsu&QpGuiT&i, eQ&rrruuQeurr/r&Qeirrr? (179, 577, 580.)
In any place whatever, do they grieve when they are send-
ing off the bride to her mother-in-law's house?

sasrL-.rr&ff (310, 321).

When he peeped into the street, he saw a little child.

uxi^/fl (427).
When a king enters on an evil course, the one who speaks
and checks him is the prime minister.

456. The present and future relative participles are very

frequently used with this affix, where in English the imperfect

tense is used. Compare paras. 424, 425. Thus

(289).
When he was drawing in his head again, it struck against
the window-frame. (Lit. The window-frame struck on his

head.)

ilosr i^^jgrr^T (93 b, 353).

Whilst an ascetic was going along the bank of a certain

pool, a fisherman caught a fish.

457. (13) For the affix u>iJ-Lb or LOLL@(gLD look under

euGDTai^ub (460).
458. (14) The affix uzrr^jp&lso (from LztrpjifijLG measure)
is attached to a past relative participle to express time ; and
means as soon as. Thus
 117

$r
(285).
As soon as they had brought the box, the king eagerly
:

opened it. (Lit. As soon as they having taken the box, came,

the king opened it with eagerness.)

459. (15) The affix (Lpssr, and its equivalents (LpssrQssr,

Qpssn-j, etc. (234)

are affixed to a future relative participle, to-

express time, and signify before, before that. Thus

OsusrrsYrti)
su0Lo (tpesrGlssr, ^sySsssr (Jfj/rO/Edserr.
Put (ye) a dam, before the flood comes.
N.B. For another form of expression see para. 439.

460. (16) The affixes SUGSHTS^LO or 6uss><ru9sti (from sustmr

a limit), tr>LLLb or LbLQ&^LQ (from /-OL!
extent), =gy stray /i

(from ^jofr^ measure), and urfiujfi<SLJb

(limit) are joined to-

a relative participle to express time, in the sense of until.

Thus

(298, 579).
It was (entered) in our name, until he died.

(489). (Or (^p^./i/o) eii<ss>T<$(yjLC), etc.)

The shepherd thus bare the load, until the recitation was
ended.

uJBlQesnL. euujg] ^Sl/D. eusstJarajiJb, ^y/5^

G<srr(l,<mr (Or USL!^, etc.) 336.
uuLS(<Sju>,
He gave (me) the pension, until I was eighteen years old.

(Lit. until an age of eighteen years became to me.)

461. The affixes eusy>fr<s(^LD and LDL!^ are also attached

to a past relative participle to denote limit, and mean as

far as. In this sense a/sjR^^ii may also be attached to a

present relative participle. Thus

PL&LP urnsmep uuf-jSpGUGtnj&tGjub, $)p,t-.ii> J5rrssT (95, 169).
I like Tamil, as far as I have studied it.
 118

(293, 407).
I did it as well as I could. (Lit. I did it well, as far as
it was possible by me.)

ON VERBAL NOUNS
The verbal noun in Tamil has several forms.
462. (a) One form of the Tamil verbal noun is made by
affixing <ec to a root which takes GlQfDfir in the present

tense, and jBpso, or less frequently

s^^eo, to a root which
takes aaxGrDssr in the present tense. Thus from the root

QfiLi is formed G>&iiJ<ik>

doing, and from the root uiy. is

formed uts^^^sn, or uq-SfaySeti, learning. These verbal

nouns, like the neuter participial nouns explained in para.

436, express the act, and thus closely resemble English

participial nouns ending in ing ; as doing, saying, etc.

They are declined like nouns of the fourth declension ;

and
are chiefly used in the nominative or the dative case. Thus
'S.F/rsojjy^stf <5T<sdetitT(Th&(ajLa ffreifi^j (181. 308).
Speaking is easy for all, i.e. It is very easy to talk (but
not so easy to act).

Qftrr<ssr'anp& Q&LL. (329, 436), STJJ/^^^O)

^i (239,

292, 368), QsugjQiBTu> ^t/iBQ^rrQsor ^QfjKptr&sr (2, 379).

(sj^)ij6\)
+ (3)
becomes GJJ)J<<D(&J, para. 94.)

Hearing a lizard chirping, and knowing that it was a bad

omen for ascending or descending (the tree), he remained
there a long time.

463. From the above examples, it will be noticed that

these verbal nouns take a subject, like the participial nouns.
See para. 437. Thus the sentence your doing this is
right would be translated into Tamil ~r ^sst/bf OCFOJ^SW
v>si>&)gi, which literally translated would be you doing
this is right, 370.
 119

464. The formation of some verbal nouns belonging to

this class require attention

(1) The roots QUIT (or Quir^) to go (337) =g$ (or =^(g)
to become (336) SUIT to come (338) srr to hear or to

ask (329), form their verbal nouns as follows: Quirpsti or

QuT(aj<ii) going =^^^) or =^(g^^o becoming su^'geti

coming QaL-r&)jeo hearing or asking.
Boots of one short syllable ending in a mute consonant,
(2)

usually insert the vowel e_ before the verbal noun termi-

nation ;
and double the final consonant (91) ; thu
verbal noun e-eaarjiga/^ffo eating ;
{slssr, verbal noun
eating ; i@ei), verbal noun r8s\) jjp]<ei>
< standing.
465. (b) Another form of the Tamil verbal noun is made
by affixing <sna to a root which takes SQ^esr in the present
tense, and .ssjoa to a root which takes aQQpssr; as <3u[r<ss>&

going, /5/_<5En walking. The root SUIT makes eu(yss)<s

coming; GJdEsrr makes G?<il.<33)<35 (94) asking or hearing; >&)

makes S/Dsm<s (94) standing. Section 2 of para. 464 also
relates to verbal nouns of this class ; as /slssrsgusna eating.
The most common use of this form of the verbal noun is

in the locative case, to express time; then usually- it is

translated into English by the word whilst or when. It is

also sometimes used in the instrumental case, to express

the cause or reason. The following examples illustrate the

above remarks.

s&
v^r^s^u uirstnaieti, GuyuGti sg^ ussar

<5f30ri_/r/f,a;sTr
(192, 215, 310).
Whilst four persons were going to a certain village, they
saw a bag of money in the road.

sp0 mirsr sp(

(298, 338).
When things were thus, one day a certain servant came.
 120

i
(&j

(371), $j<nrf&<Li<56s>< e_L_(?s3r $)Lpft&i QUIT

effii-
(579).
By reason of your rule being uncongenial to the people,

you will forthwith lose your kingdom.

466. These verbal nouns, as will be seen from the pre-

ceding examples, usually take a subject, like the verbal nouns

explained in para. 463. But in the case of some words, and
especially of those ending in asms, they do not do so, but
are treated as pure nouns. Thus

gjfiGu/ra(Grij<sa>LfLi fit_<sss)& /5ffO<sti^7 ^j6\)<sO (370).

Their conduct is not good. (Lit. Walking.)

(LpL-ir&(erFj3tf)L-.tLi Gfir&snaiurrsv Q&[s! SW^LD (266).

By association with blockheads, evil will come. (Lit. By
associating with.)
467. (c) Another form of the verbal noun is made by
affixing <ro to the infinitive mood (387, 388). Thus

Eoot Infin. Verbal noun

Q&ILJLU Q&ILJILI&)
doing.
Qffi)rr&&a
jjtj> ^Getiir&aasti considering.
^j ^#ffO becoming.
iQso fS fi><35 iSl/baeti standing.
SUIT su<r oiiTGti
coming.
Q srr Q&L-& (?<35/_L<sffO
hearing or asking.
This form of the verbal noun is not much used in the
common dialect, except in the instance mentioned in the
next paragraph. It usually takes a subject (463) ; but may
sometimes be used as a pure noun. The following are ex-

amples of the use of this form:

Qftresresruis).
QfiuujGti .jy/fl^f.

It is difficult to do as one has said. (Lit. Doing accord-

ing as one has said, is difficult.)
 121

<oTS\)S\),TUD _63T Q&lUGi)

(181, 368).
It is all thy doing.
<af?ij_i-iso
.jy/5^ ^ijjy/i Lj/r*_j|y//ruJ ^(f^^Qfo^i (239,
373).
In that house it is (all) playing and singing.
468. This form is most frequently used in connexion with
the word <j^u> (266), and its corresponding negative ^srr^,
which in this connexion means^ it is proper, and it is not

proper ! The expression is equivalent to the English auxiliaries

may and may not, expressing permission and prohibition.

The following are examples:

You may go to the village. (Lit. Your going to the village

is fit, or proper.)

May I come ? You may not come.

He must not stand there. (Lit. His standing there is not

fit.)

469. (d) There are also a set of nouns formed from

verbs by adding ut-f to roots which take aSlGpsisr in the
present tense, and ^ to roots which take SlQfDesr; as uty.

to learn, uiy.uLj learning ;

^yfSl to know, Ji\fl<&\ knowledge.
These nouns do not express the act (462), and are treated
in all respects as pure nouns as ;
=gysv
i Q/s3)i_(L/

his learning, ftstisti

^^Sl^ good knowledge.

15
 CHAPTER VIII
On the Negative form of Verbs, Passive Verbs,
Reflexive Verbs, and Causal Verbs
ON THE NEGATIVE FORM OF VERBS
THE NEGATIVE TENSES
In Tamil the negative is expressed in the verb, hence every
verb has a distinct negative form.
470. A pure negative tense is formed by adding the personal
terminations to the root when doing so the rules of euphony,
;

given in paras. 88 92, are carefully observed. This tense

theoretically refers to all time, but it is commonly used

only as an habitual present tense. Thus from the roots uty.,
/5i_ and jyj5P/L/L/ are formed the tenses uis^Qiussr I learn not,

flSL-Qsussr I walk not, ^^niu^ussr I send not. They are thus

declined
SINGULAR
Per. 1 ISL (oGusitr
uiy-QtUGsr
2 uisf-tuTiu KL sutruj

[MAS. uiy-iLjirssr

3 PEM.
-(
uiy-turrsir

INEU.

PLURAL
Per. 1 uiy-Quji'LL i6i QSUTLL
 123

M. & F. ULSf-UUtriT KL_ SU/T/f

Per. 3- M. & F. 1-iiy.uJtriTaGrr /5*_si;/r/f<gjsrr

NEU. Ul^UJfT /5i_6UT

JV.B. With the exception of the one word ^^(Stu^r, this

tense is not very often used in common Tamil, except in
the third person singular neuter. The following are ex-

amples :

/5/raJr
^S5>p&(gj$pg! ^SST^JI^ ^fSQiuasr (240, 292).
I do not know anything about it. (Lit. Even one thing.)

I do not know. (Lit. It is not known to me.)

471. The following formations must be noted QUIT makes

Gutr&irg!, ^ makes ^arr^j, sun makes sucrrr^.

472. The negative present tense is most commonly ex-

pressed by the nominative singular of the neuter participial

noun formed from the present relative participle (486), fol-
lowed by the word Jj)so&o (366) ; as /5/rsar
uty-aSp&i $GV$S\)

(contracted into Kir<ssr

uLy-<s8p{l<s\)eis\)) I am not learning.

(Lit. I learning is not, or There is not my learning.) The

pronoun alone shows the number and person, as
/5/rs3r uif aSppvetitko I am not learning.
f
utq-& i>l5iG\)Ss\)
t
Thou art not learning.

^gyajsar u^S^pffO&o,, etc. He is not learning, etc.

The following are examples:

^svssr ^K^ GSUS\)SVILJ<F Q&ajs&pjslGD&O,

He is not doing that work.

iSloir&rr (380.)
^iriEi^st/D^lsoSsoiLjfr?
Is not the child sleeping ?

473. The neuter singular of the past and of the future

participial
nouns are also sometimes used in the same way
with ]|)a)^), to form a negative past and a negative future
tense ; as /5/rsJr O^uJ^^f G$ed$sdf I did not, or have not
 124

done ;
/5^rsar Qfiusu^i j)svs\), I shall not, or will not do.

Thus

(239).
I neither received the loan from him, nor tore up the

bond.

474. The negative past tense is most commonly ex-

pressed by the infinitive mood followed by {jfrsvSsv; as

mrrssr uis}.&<5<slGti$s\>,
I learnt not, or I have not learned.
The words do not change, whatever the subject may be ;

but the number and person are shown by the pronoun

only. Thus

^euiraeir QKpgu ^y/5^ tau.(Tf)4e(9)U Gutr&<s&sd<fa> (388).

They did not go to that village yesterday.

475. The negative future tense is most commonly ex-

pressed by the infinitive mood prefixed to the tense LCT
Lj3i<sin, which is the pure negative tense from the root
LC/TLL. Thus

Kiresr uiy.a& i_c>rrLLQi6sr I shall or will not learn.

/
uiy-&a LbiTL-iiTiLi, etc. Thou shalt or wilt not learn, etc.

Thus i) M5L/
<ss>uuJ6sr u/TL^stn^iu
/i
uty.'& L&mLi. /rear.

This boy will not learn the lesson (353).

476. The negative imperative singular is formed from

the third person singular neuter of the pure negative
tense (470), byi changing final s* into Qp. The honorific
form adds e-ti>, and the plural adds e_/Ey<ssrr; Thus neu.

sing. 3rd per. uisf-iuir&i; imper. utq.ujirQp, uisf-vuirGjSujLn,

uiy-iuirG&iLjiEj&err. Do not read. (Compare paras. 253,.

254.) Thus

snuiLiQssr ! fifiVjS^^gjtJ Quir&n-Qp !

Boy ! do not go to the house !

 125

477. The negative verbal participle is formed by adding

^Loe-o to the root ; as UI^.ILJTLC,S\) not having learnt. There

is also another form not so commonly used, which is

exactly the same as the third person singular neuter of

the pure negative tense ;
as uis^uufr^i.

478. Negative verbal participles are used just in the

same way as the positive verbal participles (o97, etc.).

Thus

(168, 240, 297, 321).

The prime minister not considering his own loss even,
rebuked the king.
479. The negative relative participle which may refer to
any time, is formed from the singular third person neuter

of the pure negative tense, by changing final e_ into =gy;

as neu. sing. 3rd per. UI^UJ.T^I rel. partic. uuf-iutrp, who,

or which does not learn, or did not learn, or will not
learn, etc. (Final ^ is sometimes omitted ;
as
uiqiuir.} They
are used just in the same way as the positive relative
participles (408 415). The following are examples:

ufTifStyStST (328).
An ascetic, who did not take life, went along the bank
of a tank. (Lit. Who did not kill any life.) (See para. 178.)

&truutrp(yp ^ToQiLtui KtrfLo -J^^jti (266, 302).

The wealth which one does not guard, will be lost.

(Lit. Will become a loss.)

480. Negative participial nouns (compare 426) are formed

by adding the pronominal affixes to the negative relative
participle; as
Q&tuujrr<GU6!sr A man who does not, has not done or

will not do.

QfiLiiLirr:GUsrr A woman who, etc.

 126

An animal or thing which, etc.

ir
People who, etc.

G>&iLJtLirr:ss)su&sir Animals or things which, etc.

The following are examples:

uirjrr^ea&sr srrrfiiu^ &rrii&juj!rLf) PQTJLL (95, 120, 266).

The act of one who does not examine will give trouble.

eSifjSp! uessr^ss)^^ (^sm^iL/L^ (290).

That which one does not increase, will decrease.

481. The negative relative participles take affixes (like the

positive relative participles) to form subordinate sentences

(440). Thus

sr
(450).
As he did not give me the money, I brought a case

against him.
482. The negative verbal noun is formed by changing

final 2 of the neuter singular third person of the negative

tense (470) into SVLQ ; as utq.iuirss>t> the not learning.
Thus
Q&lLHLJrTS3>LD RGtiStig] (175,
<5TLJ^U!T(L^^JLL JEGMLD 370).
It is a good thing never to do wrong. (Lit. The not
doing ever wickedness is a good thing.)

483. By prefixing the negative verbal participle to the

verb D(5> to be, a complete negative verb may be formed.
This form is frequently used ; as

or uu}.ujirJl(TT\&;'QrDG3T, I am not learning.

Do not learn. Thus

(305).

A fox which had not got any prey, went forth for prey.

The use of the above form with jg)^ frequently occurs

 127

in the formation of negative subordinate sentences. Thu

(450, 474).
As you did not study, you did not pass the examination.
484. Instead of ^Q^, the verb Qurr to go is sometimes
used as above, to form a negative verb ; as sir<egy)L^^)Qurr

(gjsar (94, 310). He disappeared.

ON PASSIVE VERBS
485. A form answering to the passive voice in English
is occasionally used in Tamil, and is made by prefixing
the infinitive mood of a verb to the verb u (301) to suffer;
as ^uf-a&uuQiSlGrDesr, I am beaten ;
<^]U)-&<SLjuiLQisT,
I was beaten ;
^fi^.<3;<suu(S(Seuesr. I shall be beaten.
486. This form is seldom used in Tamil; and when
translating from English into Tamil, the passive should,
as a rule, be turned into the active voice.
487. It must be here noted that sometimes the verb
u is idiomatically added to an intransitive verb, without

altering its meaning. Thus insteadof ^Q^ikQ^&sf, the form

^)(77j<<9?L/L7L_(2i_63r is sometimes used.

488. In the same manner such a form as ^(Vj&aLj
uiLi is sometimes used for the relative participle, instead of

ON REFLEXIVE VERBS
489. A reflexive verb, answering in some respects to
the middle voice in Greek, is formed by affixing the verb

Q&irsir (328) to the verbal participle of another verb.

This form expresses that the action denoted by the verbal

participle is done in reference to, or for the benefit of,

the subject. Thus

^sii^mu ufJir^^j^QsrrsrrsfTf Q&frssrQetirssT. (308, 321.)
I told him to look out for himself, i. e. to beware.
 128

L/Lye-O^^dfQdSTsrr^tsrKS^fdSafr (162).
The gentleman is dressing himself or is putting on his
clothes.

490. This form with Gds/rsrr is also sometimes used to

express a continuous action. Thus

{jftuLjisf-Giu Oftr&OeS, 6ULpa(aj ^iq.&'S'&rraBrLTiTasiT (302).
They continued to talk and quarrel in this way.

491. N.B. Occasionally this form with Q&trerr appears

to be used merely as an expletive, without adding any

special meaning to the verb to which it is affixed.

ON CAUSAL VERBS
492. Causal verbs, as a general rule, are formed by adding
<aS to roots which take QQpssr in the present tense; and

u& to roots which take <sS(Srjssr. Both these classes of

causal verbs take <a

Scjpsar, <&(Sp6sr, and uQussr in the

present, past, and future tenses (289). Thus

GI&IU to do (present tense QfujS^pssr, causal QfiusQ} to

cause to do ;
Q&iusQ&SiQpesr, O^tusQ^Q^ssr. Q<p(LJ<s3u3usin:
Ki to walk (present tense nsi-,<s3Qrjs3T, causal /5/_ui5)
to cause to walk; n5i_uL9&(2r)6Br, Ki^uiSl^Q^ssi, KI_LJ

493. A few roots ending in a mute consonant, which

take QQnossr in the present tense, form a causal by adding

i3 to the root ; as sirssw to see, ff,irsisn3l to cause to see,

to show ;
-aso to learn, -sr)i3l to cause to learn, to teach.

494. Some roots form the causal by adding ^^7 to the

root; these verbs come under para. 302. Thus u$ to

suffer, L/S^j^f to cause to suffer.

495. The verb /5/_ to walk may take as its causal
/5L_LJt5? Or Klpg).
496. Some roots make other changes to form causal
verbs. It will be easier to treat such forms as distinct
 129

verbs, as they are all given in the dictionary. The following

are examples:

GJM to ascend Causal <oj/b^i to cause to ascend.

<^ to run s^L-Q to cause to run, to

drive.

to be troubled ,, astis,^ to cause to be

troubled.
to return J&QTJULJ to cause to return.
(or <%) to become =g^<2> to cause to become.

497. The following sentences illustrate the use of causal

verbs :

The king caused the barber to be summoned.

L-iriraar (490).

The Brahmins continued to make the barber to bathe

three times (a day), and to conduct all the rites.
 CHAPTER IX
On Auxiliary Verbs, Conditional Sentences, the

Optative Mood, Certain Parts of the verb EN to say,

and on the Principal Parts of a Tamil Verb

ON AUXILIARY VERBS
498. I. From the root Ga/saar (302) are formed (1) a

regular transitive verb, meaning to entreat ; and (2) a defective

impersonal verb, meaning to be needed, to be wanted. The

parts of the defective verb which are in most frequent use
are the third person of the habitual present or future
tense, namely, <?a/620rLo (commonly pronounced QeuGjguLs),
and QGUssanTLb (commonly pronounced GSU^^LD) which is
the corresponding irregular negative form. These words
govern a dative case. Thus

upg] ^rfjutriu e_u5<<25 (Jo/aBrOuj.T ? (209, 380.)

Do you want ten rupees ? (Lit. Are ten rupees needed
to you ?)

I do not want that box. (Lit. That box is not needed

to me.)

499. The words QsusssrQub and Qsusytfri_Tu> are also used

as auxiliary verbs, and are then attached to the infinitive of

 131

another verb, to express compulsion ; and have the meaning

of must, and must not. Thus

He must learn his lesson quickly. (Lit. It is necessary

for him to learn, etc).

You must not go there.

500. Other parts of the defective verb Qeuessr are also

affixed to the infinitive of other verbs, as auxiliaries, to

express the above meaning. Thus

6u/r(26y633ri.(L/ ueaanJb
<oT6yr&(3j (Lpuugn ^uiriu (368, 407).
The money -which must come to me is thirty rupees.
/s/rsar
QfiLitLiQGUsmu}-ius3)<5& Q&iuQsuesr (434).
I shall do what I ought to do.

501. N.B. The auxiliary (?si/owrtL is often used idio-

matically by an inferior, when making a request to a

superior. In English some such word as please must be

inserted. Thus

You must please forgive the fault that I have committed.

502. II The word Lti, the third person neuter of

the future tense of L to join, is idiomatically used in

two significations ; namely, (1) In the sense of to be possible,

expressing ability, and governing an instrumental case as ;

^l^i jysu(C3)ffO
3^L> He can do it. (Lit. That is possible

by him) ;
and (2) In the sense of to be fit, suitable, proper,

expressing fitness, and governing a dative case as D^7 ;

&trf!iLi<5jgi<3i(&j&
<$L@ii. This is suitable for the purpose.
503. The corresponding negative is &>-irrga, which is

used in exactly the same manner ; as (1) <jy^ ji/su{SV)G\)

&L-irrjgi. He cannot do it. (Lit. That is not possible by

 132

him.) (2) ^DJSJT ajfliiJ1 gii&(aj5 6fc.i_/rj7. This is not suit-

able for the purpose.

504. The words <i-3ii and a^_i_/r^7 are also attached,
as auxiliary verbs to the infinitive of other verbs ;
and these
are used to express two distinct ideas, namely
505. Firstly. Ability and Inability as

& L$U> (239, 240, 426).

He who created heaven and earth, can do this also.

<^L_/r^7 (289, 352, 363).

A certain old tiger, owing to weakness, was unable to
get its food.

506. Secondly. Fitness and Unfitness or Propriety

and Impropriety ; as jftuuy- &.&&! asa& 6&_$u>/r ? (289.)
Is it
proper to pronounce it in this way ?

(128, 289).

They must not enter into the presence of the gentle-

man. (Lit. It is not proper for them to enter.)

507. Other parts of <*>- are also used to express the

same meaning. Thus

<5TGST{5!f)3i) ^_^l.(ULDLLtjb jySD^ /5S3T(/7?UJ Sm35)(2s3r63r (302,

407).
I wrote it as well as I could. (Lit. As far as it was
possible by me.)
508. III. The English auxiliary verb may, expressing
permission, expressed in Tamil by the verbal noun
is

formed from the infinitive mood (467), prefixed to ^iz,

a shortened form of ^(5^ (266). In this idiom the verb

^ or <^(5 has the meaning to be fit or proper. See

para. 468.
 133

509. The corresponding negative may not is formed in-

exactly the same manner, by substituting <$sir&i (4,71) ;

for .gjii.

510. The following are examples:

^gysvesr ^yik^u snuiutfesr ^uuiy. ^saari^arso/rtD/r ?

May he punish the boy in that way ? or Is it

proper
for him to punish the boy in that way ?

LDJ-6ffl-<g]<(3j $tLG JjfyQ

iU
t-jeSluSsST SiLlU GurT&SV

^<s/r^7 (232, 407).

It is not proper to go near a tiger, which is a place-
for death, i.e. which is a great risk to life.

? (379, 489.)
Before this time ought you not to have collected (your

money) in this way for yourself ? (Lit. Was not your-

collecting-for-yourself befitting ?)

511. N.B. When ,j^a>

is used as above, in the sense

of the English auxiliary may, the corresponding negative

is frequently expressed by <ffc-<_ rr^i (506). Thus

Ques. '"5/rsar
^\uuis^3
:
GifiutLXodrTLGtr ? Ans. Q&vuuj<3^.i_tTg}].

Ques. May I do so ? Ans. You must not do so, i. e. no.

512. IV. The verb ?< (300) means to be fit.

<s^
(the third person neuter of the habitual present or future

tense), and j&arrgj the corresponding negative form, are^

added as auxiliary verbs to the infinitives of other verbs
to express fitness and unfitness. They may be rendered
in English by the auxiliary verb ought, and ought not.
Thus
<
iS
&pG<yyfiL-pj&Gi> ^n^ssf p(3jii> (188).

You ought to be with learned" persons. (Lit. It is befit-

ting to be, etc.)

 134

A man ought not to beat his wife.

513. Other parts of the verb <5(3j
are used in the same
manner. Thus
G>f(UIUpi &tTpZ5>Glia><}31Tf OfiU^fTtU (434).
You have done what you ought not to have done.
514. V. A form expressing permission, and equivalent
to the English auxiliary let, is made by changing final

.&J of an infinitive into jyt-LLb. This word is probably

a corruption of 5&LLSti, the third person neuter of the

habitual present or future tense of S&L! to permit, allow.

Thus jysiJGsr suT/_L(9i. Let him come, which is probably

an abbreviated form for .jya/afcar
eujGeu/rtlOo). Permit
him to come. The following are examples:
/5/rsar G?/_//r<sLLu> Let me go !

^(TT^dSilOto Let it be ! i. e. Never mind !

515. With the sign of a question this form may be trans-

lated by the English auxiliary may. Thus
/5/resr (?L/.rc35/_L5)Lo/r ?
affiLQargju
May I go home?

ON CONDITIONAL SENTENCES
516. Condition (which is expressed in Engl'ish by if

(orby its equivalents, in case, supposing, etc.), is expressed

in Tamil by a form made by changing final 67 and ear

of the first person singular of the past tense into ^s\) ; as

Past Tense u^^Q^ssr Conditional

 135

517. This form is the same for all genders, numbers,

and persons. The following are examples:

If you call, they will come.

i^lsn'Sstr
^(Lgprreti,
/S/TLD Qutr&QsussarQLb (298, 499).
If the child cries, we must go.

518. There is another form, which is not often used in

the common dialect, made by affixing gjfteo to roots which
take SC?/D3T in the present tense, and aSlso to those which
take
1

<s65 (? DS3r;
/
as Q-PiuuSleo, uisf-aSeti. Thus

(95, 246, 289).

If he behave wisely, his affair will succeed.

519. N.B. A still more uncommon form is made by

affixing a>0<Jr and ^aStsyr, instead of JDffD and gjft&Ssti.

520. Another common form for expressing condition in

Tamil, is made by adding ^i^)s\) or ^Sso, the condi-
tional forms of =gj or *$(&) to become, to the future tense,
or to the past tense of a verb. Emphatic <sj is sometimes
added to the tense when thus used. The following are

examples:
j-g)/?^ u>ivfs)srp<aBjS& Qf&^pmu =^<ca)so 7 sirsffl s-ev&ttu
iSlTp*BliULL&Lb ^suT'sir (63, 289).
If you repeat this mystic verse, Kali will appear to you
(Lit. If you have prayed this verse Kali will become an

appearance to you.)

(183, 238).
If he will come to me, I will give him all those boxes.

521. The negative if not, is usually expressed in Tamil

by 06?LlL_/7-ff0 (the conditional form of ^ 301) preceded
 136

by the negative verbal participle of another verb. When

thus used, the final LOGI of the negative verbal participle
is often omitted ;
as G>fiuium^s\) afi LLtTeo or
ujre. Thus

(i6Br (232, 475).

If he comes, I speak with
will him ; but if he does
not come, I will not assist him.

522. The word ^easnir for ^jsosoiru^ed, a verbal participle

connected with the word $}s\)8s\) (366), is often prefixed to

<sQiLi.irs\), and used in the sense of if not, or otherwise.

Thus

<j>f
sv Q <<

If he comes, I will speak with him ;

if not, I will not
assist him.

523. In accordance with para. 483, a negative form for

condition may also be made by prefixing the negative verbal
participle of any verb to $jftrrTjP>piteti, the conditional form
of the verb (Ti}. Thus

e_63T<'Sj

If you do not learn that lesson, how will you know it ?

524. In accordance with para. 484, instead of ^(T^KfSired

the word <2urr(SS)6ti may be used, which is the conditional

form of the verb Qurr to go. Thus

If you do not do it, it will be a ground for displeasure

against you. (Lit. It will become a ground for displeasure

in your name.)
 137

525. When &-LQ is added to the conditional form in ^jso

(516), the expression has the force of even if, or although.

Thus

Although I tell him, will he do it ?

Though a tiger should lie there, he will go.

526. This form expresses a pure supposition, and thus its

use is slightly different from the form given in para. 404.

Thus

<j^33>><s(2)
L&uSlfT
^(TFj/^/Tjg/Lo,, would mean '

Though a
tortoise had hair,' a pure supposition. Here Jj)(/5/>y&3u3 could
not be used, as it would mean '

Though a tortoise has hair,'

and thus imply that it had hair.

N.B. For the words ^^ or ^ <?, the conditional

forms of ^ or ^^? and for ^gjjjy-o and ^tStzsuLo and

^Sgyti, see paras. 595, 596.

ON THE OPTATIVE MOOD

527. (1) The optative mood, expressing a wish, is com-
monly formed by adding the tense atGGii&sr to the infini-

tive of another verb. This tense is the only part of the verb
in common use. Thus
$ $)G3r^pi ap<<s$rr& <sSl&L_&G9iLjrrau (2uT<55<s<s/_6i7/nu (231) !

From this day forth may you be a jester !

528. JV.5. In such sentences as the above, the affix ^

(as in <sQ&i<<sliiJir3;) has the force of the particle as.

Thus the literal translation would be may you go as a

jester.
529. (2) Another way of expressing the optative is by

adding -J$
to the future tense of any verb. In the third

person neuter, it is added to the neuter participial noun

16
 138

formed from the future relative participle

(430) ; thus _
May you prosper !

(431)
May thy kingdom come!
530. (3) Another way of expressing the optative is by
adding to the root. Thus

May you prosper, King !

531. The negative optative is formed by prefixing the

negative verbal participle of any verb to one of the optative
forms of g)(2j. See para. 483. Thus
/f/r
s!ip!rjijlQF>
u&>itT& !
(eQiprr^i 477.)

May you not fall !

ON THE USE OF THE WORDS erarjpi, GTSST, erssrtgtju,

GTSSffdp, <5T<S8!U&!, GTo3l(iye\), ETC.

532. I, The word STSST^J is the verbal participle of the

verb srssr to say (310). It is idiomatically used in sentences,

which in the corresponding English generally use the word

that. Its most common occurrence is when the words of a

speaker are repeated. It will be found easiest to regard it

as a particle meaning thus, which word is frequently used

in old English to express the same idea as, for instance, ;

in the Biblical expression Thus saith the Lord. The fol-

lowing are examples:

'

533. ursitr
j)\^sn /
<oTj5r)&rr& ^uuis^.
'

(jydi srsarjz/ G&LLa (391), ^jsussr

(
rsirssT

Qfrrssrssruu^QiU (179, 448) Q-fUJiurrsinLciLirrGV,

OTsar^j/ ^/rssr^sir (482).

When she asked him, Why do you beat me in this

'

because you do not do one

'

way ? he replied '

I beat you,
 139

single thing as I tell you.' (Lit. When she asked thus

'

Why do you beat me in this way ? He said thus

'

I
'

beat you by reason of your not doing, as I say any one

thing.')

^gtfsusar Q&jggjuQuirW6tr GTSST^ uiuuuQQ>i)6sr (579,

580).
I fear that he will die. (Lit. He will die, thus I fear.)

I know that he is there. (Lit. He is there, thus it is

known to me.)

.jya/ssr ^I<SS)<<P
Gi&dnu&SH-Qu) GTSSI^U iSt^utsQQpm (505).

I think that he can do it. (Lit. He can do it, thus I

think.)

w (297, 499).
I ordered you not to beat the dog. (Lit. You must not
beat that dog, thus I gave an order.)

534. The word OTOTTJI/ is not used before any other part

of the verb srssir. Thus jy/5^tJ uessr^&n^u sm utupj &(&&

QsirQ-SjSrrirssir <orssr(ty63r (
O r sresr^i O.y/rgaTjgjsar).

He said that they had given the money to the boy.

535. Instead of Grsstgv, the infinitive <rsyr is sometimes

used in the higher dialect. Thus

(522, 525)

may not have

'
Friends, although they wealth, will help
one another,' thus Somasunma said.
536. Sometimes ersyr^ji is used as a pure verbal participle.
' '
Thus Q&SJJ56BT /f^/T(3) (&J&SU6ST
? SUIT <5T63TU,

ri.Tesr ^380, 489).

 140

The servant said

'
Are you the potter ? Come along !
'

and he seized hold of him. Or The servant seized hold of

'

him saying '

Are you the potter ? Come along !

537. Sometimes ffrsarjy is used in the sense of saying to

oneself, or thinking and thus often expresses the reason
;

or cause (399), and hence may sometimes be translated by

as or because. Thus

(321).

He said, I was looking (at it), thinking whether this pal-

myra tree would do to make a plough. (Lit. I was looking,

saying [to myself]. 'Will this palmyra tree be suitable for

a plough ? ')

Tesr (234,
244, 580).
He rejoiced somewhat, because after so long a time his

boy had at any rate got this much intelligence. (Lit. Saying
[to himself] after so many days this much intelligence at

any rate has come [to my boy].)

538. (1) It must be specially remembered that the

by no means the exact equivalent of the

particle <ormj)i is
conjunction that in English (532). In sentences in which
the words of a speaker are repeated, STSJTJZ/ closely equals
the force of inverted commas, because, in Tamil, the direct
words of the speaker are usually given. In English, we

may use the direct form with inverted commas, or an in-

direct form of expression with that ; thus in English we
may say
'
I will come,' said he or He said that he
would come. In Tamil the first form of expression is used ;

as 6i/0<2a763T OTSJTJV G^/rsarjgjssr (or su^Qsusyr GrsyrTrpssr)

He said thus I will come (or I will come, said he).
 141

(2) If the sentence were sy^si/^rgar <orssrj)i

it would mean that the subject of surrfjGijrrssr was a dif-

ferent person from the subject of G^/rsar^sar. Thus euQfj
QsassT srsar(/5>s3r means He (A) said that he (A) would
come. euQfjswrssr srsar^sar means He (A) said that he (B)
would come.
539. When there are a succession of subordinate sen-
tences each of which is followed by srsisr^i, the conjunc-
tion e_ii is added to it. Thus

(304), {}TT&ir ep^rfj

Qurji>rrm8& ISL^S.^I^QU^^J (455),

v (249, 368, 427).

He reflected Evil will happen to our king,
as follows

and when a king is about to run into evil, the one to

speak and check him is the prime minister, forsooth.

540. The word srsarjj; is idiomatically used with words

expressive of some particular sound, or sensation. Thus

=gyj57 psrr ^srrOaysarjj/ Q&rr.Sia&Ty ipstnfsnuja G'<5il.i_/rssr.

He heard the sound with which it boiled, saying thala

thala, i. e. With which it bubbled up (423).

aG^ LDL_ LCL-Osusarjz/ eB(igGjjEi (298).

The house fell with a crash. (Lit. Saying mada mada.)

He is working in a hurry. (Lit. Saying pada pada.)

541. The word OTSSTJJJ is often used idiomatically with

the verb (Jsussar^ (499), as in the following sentence

}
tLarcksrG&iLiu UT.T KsQaU astir u> <oTssrj)i
^s3)cFG<95/r

(321).

They desired to see an elephant. (Lit. We must see an

elephant, thus they desired.)

 142

542. II. The English expression named or called is

most commonly expressed in Tamil by <ST^S(^LL>, the future

relative participle of the verb <STSST to say ;
occasionally
also ffresrS*) is used ; and sometimes also erstrrjy is idio-

matically used in this sense. The following examples illus-

trate the use of these three words ;

The crow, named Laghubadanan, came.

ff
(285).
In the village named Thennalu, a certain Brahmin boy,
named Kama, was born.

543. III. <5issfug>>, the neuter participial noun (431)

formed from the future relative participle of OTOTT, is some-
times idiomatically attached to a subordinate sentence, as
in the following examples :

trnsmf QLbiuuj'Tesr ^jy^Grr/razn^saxu tsQeti

ffrssrug] e_633rsznuDG-(/j (193, 378).

That is true which says '

Lying covetousness checks

true liberality,' i.e. The saying is true 'Lying, etc.'

LjjSJS LDtl (368),

The cultivator became an illustration of the saying

'
The wisdom of a hasty person is limited.' (Lit. The culti-

vator became an illustration to that which says Wisdom

is a limited thing to a hasty person.)

544. ffrsiiTr,&i and tfreyr^^i may be used in the same

manner. Thus

He illustrated in the case of the Mahomedan the saying

A blockhead will lose what he has even got in his hand.'
 143

QuiriLi /Ssarji/, G>u5(L/i33>uj Qsy^ojjymr (328, 331) ?

^^l&qrjiGSf jffyrafijD&fyjjfjBireitr /$?LD srsar^y

(169, 172, 532).

That very day the thief believed the saying to be true
'
'
Shall falsehood stand and conquer truth ? (Lit. That day
that thief believed that which said '
shall falsehood stand,
and conquer truth' saying 'It is true.')

545. IV. (orssr.fysti (or <srsfl<s\) 518) the conditional form

of OTsar to say is used idiomatically with sruuiy- how, and
OTsarsar what, in the sense of the English expression as
follows. Thus
L/ iSlj/r LOSSOT ssr L

'
etc. (247, 289).
The Brahmin looked at the tiger, and reflected as follows

This bracelet can be obtained for me gratis, etc.

N.B. The expression literally translated is 'How? if I say.'

It is only used when a somewhat long clause has to be given.
546. The expression srsar <5rsyr(y^> why if I say, is idio-
matically used in the sense of for or because, to introduce
a reason or cause. Thus

LzirLLQisr, QUIT!' GTSST&SST. (475, 492, 534.)

He replied 'I will make you know, for I will not give

you a loan. Be off !

'

(Lit. Why, if I say.)

ON THE PRINCIPAL PARTS OF A TAMIL VERB

547. In the following tables are given, as examples, the

principal parts of a few Tamil verbs:

uq. GI&IJU
Imper. (root)
(present ui.y.&SilQpsin' Q&iLjQQpesr
.

Tenses -(past uiy-j(3<6sr Q&iuQpesr

(future
 144

/present
Bel. parti c.J
past

[future
Verbal partic.
Conditional
Infinitive GlflLJlLJ

Verbal nounsJ
Q-PLLJS&&

Negative form
o4o. /Present uiq-<&
PaSt LJUL&&s!GVS\)
Tenses {
Future Gf'L ULb TL_(?L_gJr
\Habit. pres.
Verbal partic. uup-ujmssti (i

Eel. partic.

Imperative
Verbal noun
549. N.B. In giving a complete synopsis of a Tamil
verb, other forms might be added, but the above are the
principal parts, and should be carefully committed to me-
mory. A few more examples are added.

550. Imper. (or QUIT en IT

Present t. 60

Past t.

Fut. t.

Eel. p. pr. QutrSp

past. Quirssr

fut.

Verb p. QurriL
Cond.
 145

Infin.

Ver. noun

Negative forms

551. Pres. t.

Past t.

Put. t.

Hab. pres. t. QuirQassr

Ver. par.
Eel. par.

Imper. 31,3* QjB

Ver. noun

552. Imper. u
Pres. t.

Past t. ULL.GLSST
Fut. t.

Eel. p. pr.

,, past
>,
fat. /_/LD

Ver. past utL Qsirear

Cond. Go5/rS37f_,

Infin. Q&rrsrrsn

Ver. noun

Negative forms

553. Pres. t.

Past t.

Put. t.
 146

Hab. pres. t. uGisk

Ver. paat utiriMev Q<xrreirstrfrLc,e\)

Bel. past uitrp Q&.rsrrsrrrrp

Imper. uLtrQp Q&irGfTGfrir<31

Ver. noun UL-TS^LD Qd? r siren- IT ss>u>

 CHAPTEH X
On the uses of the several Tenses Combinate
forms of the Tenses and Participles Certain uses

of the Verbal Participle Translation of Tamil

and English Intensive Verbs and on the

Idiomatic Uses of several Verbs

ON THE USES OF THE SEVERAL TENSES

554. I. The present tense, besides its ordinary use as
(a)
a full present, is sometimes used for the future tense, to
denote certainty or rapidity. Compare the English expres-
sion 'I am coming', though the person has not yet started
to come. So in Tamil, a servant when called, would reply
I am coming.' In the same manner /5/rsar

!Qp68r, <oTS3T.^ys3T.
'
I will quickly conquer and
return,' said he.

555. (b) The present tense is also sometimes used to

express habit or custom, as

LAsfl<5iT u/rsuizj) OfifjQ(yiras&r, Men sin.

p>mu (&jea>(r<$a;!p&).
The dog barks.
(Sjlslsin? aSssrsSricg]. The horse neighs.
556. II. (a) The future tense, besides its ordinary use to

express future time, is also used as an habitual present

tense, and thus often expresses habit or custom, see para.
256 ;
as p&&<3sv?lso G&iLiGsusw- (352). I do carpenter work.
 148

The use of this tense as an habitual present is specially

common in the singular third person neuter in such words
as QeusssrQtLL, Lii, ^ii, etc. (498, 502, 508).

557. (b) In close connexion with the above meaning, the

future tense is sometimes used in the sense of the English
auxiliary would, to express habit or custom in past time
Thus

Qurrsii firs sir.

The servants would constantly come to him, and carry

off pots and pans, without paying for them (397, 477, 489,

629).

558. Following the analogy of the corresponding tenses,

the present and the future relative participles are also used

to express habit or custom. Thus

eQuufrsin- (94, 289).

The man who lives upon the wealth of another, will obtain

sorrow. i. e. A sycophant will reap sorrow.

?
(128, 324.)
Where is the washerman who washes the clothes of this

village ?

559. For the future participle used in this sense, see

also para. 417.

ON COMBINATE FORMS OF THE TENSES AND

PARTICIPLES
560. A perfect tense, a pluperfect tense, and a future
perfect tense are formed by prefixing the verbal participle
of any verb to the present, past, and future tenses of
 149

to be; as uiy.f5*s!(Tf)&3(Sn!)<ssr (i.e. uiy-<a;gj + ^(^sQQp&si)

I have learnt ;
uiy.pJ!(rT)ik<3p<5yr,
I had learnt ;
/_

Qussr, I shall have learnt. Thus

He has gone there.

Gji(W)<SU68r LJJEl 1150)1$

JLb SUTIT<3SSSr
G&GUjS^QTjKjSU S3T (209, 224,

294).
A certain man had stored up ten thousand pagodas.

sr
(439).
I shall have finished that work, before you come this
evening.

561. In para. 399 it was shown that the verbal parti-

ciple, though formed from the past tense, yet occasionally

has the force of an English present participle. In the
same manner, when it is prefixed to the past tense of

fJilQf),
the tense thus formed has sometimes the force not
of a pluperfect, but of an imperfect past tense- Hence the
tense Q&<ujglQt)i6QjBti may not only mean I had made, but
also I was making. Thus

(629),

A certain potter was getting his living (by) making and

selling pots and pans. [399 (2).]

562. On the same principles as explained above, are

constructed combinate forms of the verbal participle, and

of the relative participles. Thus

LSlssrGesr Qu/ruSlfiju (172, 183, 234,

268).
The crow, which had seen all this wonderful affair, went
after the doves.
 150

(150, 328, 579).

The mother of the king who was ruling the kingdom,
died i.e. The mother of the ruling sovereign died.

563. Such combinate forms as the following are also in

common use :

They went to a merchant who was keeping a shop in

that village. This expression is practically equivalent to

who was a shop-keeper in that village.

564. These combinate forms are not so much used in

Tamil as in English and may often be sufficiently ex-
;

pressed in Tamil by a simple form. In modern Tamil

they are more largely used, as they give greater precision

of expression.

REMARKS UPON CERTAIN USES OF THE TAMIL

VERBAL PARTICIPLE
565. It has been already explained in para. 397, that
the verbal participle is specially used in Tamil to prevent

a succession of finite verbs ;

and that where such a suc-
cession of finite verbs occurs in English, having the same
subject throughout, all but the last are expressed in Tamil
by verbal participles.
Exactly in the same manner, the verbal participle
566.

is used to prevent a succession of any such Tamil forms

as can complete a clause as, for instance, the infinitive
;

mood (387), the relative participles (405), relative participles

with affixes (440), participial nouns (426), verbal nouns

(462), and the conditional form (516). The subject of

course must be the same throughout. The following are
examples :
 .151

Gumiiu, usssrub

ussars3$<sG><$rrsire(r
^'SeOrr&p^.Tirasrr (389, 489).
They determined to go to another country, and to get

money, and to marry.

5^(75
fiifl
$<58)J&(3j GieuetfluuLLQ euitpgi (483,

485).
A certain fox which had been beaten about in the wind
and and had not obtained any prey,
rain, set forth to get

some food. (Lit. For prey.)

(455).
When the king sent for them, and made enquiry, they
told him all that had happened.

urrrrr-ssussr SffifitLUgj ^7/5^/0 T^Q^LL (95, 266,

<j^(L//5^7

480).
The act of one who does not look and examine, will
give trouble.

rr
(439, 579),

Before the king could send for it, and give it to her,
she died. (Lit. Before the king gave it, having caused it

to be summoned.)

.
^t^. 6U(7^ss)<su3eo (237, 465),

DT^SO }p/si&6uiijirar (237).

When the owner of the tree heard the noise, and came
running out of his house, scolding (399), the thief per-
ceiving it, came down the tree.

SU/TJ^^/E;
(5^.<5(ey5(5 Qs/rQu&jf&lu (492) uuSlir (Sf

(492) ^tj^U UoSSTfB<5G>plJ

 152

<s ir so
(516), oD/.Sig)^ (oyy-afinju*, ^su/f-afSYr/rso

If you cause advances to be given to the cultivators,

and (ifyou) cause them to get a (if you) col-
crop, and
lect the money (given in advance) together with the tax-

money, by that means the cultivators, and through them

the king, will obtain profit.

HINTS REGARDING THE TRANSLATION OF TAMIL

INTO ENGLISH, AND ENGLISH INTO TAMIL
567. In connexion with the preceding remarks, the fol-

lowing hints regarding translation from the one language

into the other, will be found useful

568. I. In Tamil, the verb is always placed last (344).

569. II. In Tamil, what is dependent always precedes

that on which it
depends (345).
570. III. When in English there are a series of finite

verbs having the same subject, in Tamil all, except the

last, are expressed by verbal participles (397).
571. IV. In English a subordinate clause or sentence
is attached to the principal sentence by some connecting
word placed at the beginning of it; as, when you come,
I will give you that book. In Tamil, on the contrary,
the connecting word or particle is always placed at the
end of the subordinate sentence ; as r
QjQ^iltQuT^g], ^JK
pu L-isn)p&5sy>p& Q<$tTuGi issr. (You come when, that
book I will give.)
572. V. In English, when there are a series of sub-

ordinate clauses having the same subject, the connecting

word is always placed at the beginning of the first clause,

and is sometimes also repeated with each succeeding

clause. In Tamil, when the subject is the same through-
out, all except the last of such a series are expressed by
 153

verbal participles. For an example, see para. 566, last

sentence.

573. VI. When in Tamil there is either (a) a long

and complicated subordinate clause, or (&) a series of
subordinate clauses it will often be found best to translate
them into English by a principal sentence, or a series of
principal sentences and then at the beginning of the
;

English sentence which corresponds to the principal sen-

tence in Tamil, to insert some word (e. g. then, there-

fore, etc.) which is equivalent to the particle concluding

the Tamil clause. In other cases it will be found best to
insertsome short connecting sentence, including in itself
what has preceded, e. g. As this was the case while all
this was going on when they did so, etc. The follow-

ing are examples :

.L-QS3T (447),

Gi&iLitu 455,
&trffliLirEj<&fl/b Q&svsy <sSlQF)tj>i3lujQuTgi (407,

603), Lfi(&)pujir&u

(603), LO&fiifies
A prince who had got himself crowned king
certain

immediately his father had died, desired to make expendi-

ture upon things which were not of any use. Then, as
there was not money in abundance in the treasury, he
called for his Prime Minister. (Lit. Who had made for

himself the royal-title-anointing.)

In this passage
'
when he desired to make '
etc. is

changed in translation into

'
He desired to make etc. . . .

then.'

ir&ub
=0(2ju> (479, 587);

(480); ^.go/ii ^^usQ^^j<

sffsmr
Gi) Q&<sOeuL$iutT4;g] ^Qii" (566)
b jg)(75S/c^@^yLo (436, 535) GLcjjyui
17
 154

(376),
wrS (428).

gLGto&uSfo^gplLb (594,
603). QLceiiTGLDgugjj &Lou'r$LjuGi (?(/j,rS<uu> (371, 436.)
There is a Shaster, saying
'
The wealth which a man
does not preserve will be lost ;
that which be does not
increase will decrease ;
that which he does not enjoy him-
self and spend upon a worthy person, will be to no pur-

jpose.' Moreover, who has happiness, merit, praise? Those

who have stored up money in heaps. Those who have
at not, are like walking corpses on the earth. For these
$wo reasons, the best thing is to acquire more and more
{wealth).
The literal Tamilis Both by reason of there being a
Shaster, etc. and because they are like walking corpses,
etc. It is impossible to translate these clauses literally in

English. The equivalent of them is given in the short

inserted sentence -For these two reasons, etc.

ON INTENSIVE VERBS
574. Certain verbs are added to the verbal participles
of other Tamil verbs, in order to intensify their meaning.
They are as follows

575. N.B. These intensive verbs must be carefully dis-

tinguished from auxiliary verbs, which are added to the

infinitive mood of other verbs.

576. The verbs e8 to leave (301) and QUIT (306) to

put, when added to the verbal participles of other verbs,

intensify the meaning. The force of them may generally

be expressed by an English adverb. Thus

Afterwards I sent him away.

 155

(554).
I will pay up both the principal and the interest.

They went away.

577. The verb su to put (294), and occasionally the
verb D to give (299) are also used in the same manner;
thus

He tied it
up.

&psy>ai {Lpuf-u, LfJ_ip-iL, GiGU&tfluSlsti euthpirsisr (397).

He shut the door, locked it up, and came out.

578. The verb SUIT to come (338), when added to the

verbal participle of another verb, intensifies its meaning,
by giving to it the force of continuity. Thus

Gurt<5fresr
(2, 399).
A certain man continued to get many presents (by)

telling soothsaying to the king. (Or used to get, etc.)

RL_ui3<^]aGi<35tr<5m($ ffl/r^szo^u^^

&jrthpxir (465, 495).

Whilst they were continuing to cause all things to be

carried on, the king arrived at the village.

579. The verb QUIT to go (337), when added to the

verbal participle of another verb, intensifies its meaning,

by giving to it the force of completeness it may often ;

be expressed in English by an adverb. Thus

jy^7 sumy-uQu'ruSl/B^u (268). ^}//5^(?L//r^psrr.

It is withered away. She is dead.

ON THE VERBS u AND Gu/r.

580. I. The verb o to suffer (301) is
frequently
attached to a noun to form an intransitive verb. The
 156

causal form u^^i (494) is similarly used, to form a

transitive verb. Nouns of the second declension when thus
used, drop final tc. Examples <pikG>^rr<3ip,uuy to experience

joy, i. e. to rejoice ; f^Q^ms^uuG^^i to cause to experience

joy, i.e. to gladden.

N.B. Other uses of this verb are explained in paras.
485, etc.
581. II. The verb QUIT to go (337) is sometimes at-

tached to a noun to form a verb. Examples r<5pIsnT

QUIT to go asleep ;
(ota/r^ti Qun to be cheated.

582. The infinitive QLJIT& is used as a postposition

meaning except, with the exception of. Thus
^iikp iQetiLc, (Sutra, Lapp rSsViJn GTssTttysmiiLig] (374).
With the exception of that land, the remaining land is

mine.
N.B. Other uses of this verb are explained in paras.

484, 524, 579.

ON THE VERB OK

583. The verb ^ or ^<g to become (336), and several

of the parts derived from it, are used idiomatically in
various ways. Some of these uses have already been
explained, e.g. ^jii 508, ^@eo 520, and ^>L 368 to
374, etc.
584. (1) This verb is sometimes used in the sense of
to be finished, or completed. Thus

^l^^sr eumuprrsyLA ^lal/D^i (240, 268).

The term also for it has ended. (Or elapsed.)

^ea&fiQear QufriueQiLirresr (447, 577).

As soon as the date had expired, he went away.
585. In close connexion with the above meaning, this
verb is sometimes affixed to the verbal participle of another
verb to express completion. Thus
 157

(183, 268, 434).

All that you said has been done.
&-U<3;5&p<$l QuiTtLliSlLLtITJT
(5(25 ^SSIS^IQSST (577).
As soon as the teacher had finished teaching, he went

away.
586. (2) The past tense of this verb is sometimes
used very idiomatically with a verbal noun. The expres-
sion is almost equivalent to the past tense of the verb
from which the verbal noun comes ; only it denotes a
more continuous action. Thus

T^SO (541, 545).

With a desire which says
'
I must get more,' he
became a considering how if I say i. e. With a desire
to get more he meditated as follows. Compare the Eng-
lish expression
'
He fell a thinking '.

587. (3) (a] This verb is often used with a noun in

the nominative case, to form the predicate. Thus

Pjrr&ti,
&ruuirtb(/yp ^TsSlajuo *j(djLb (479).
The wealth which a man does not preserve will be lost.

(Lit. Will become a loss.)

(b) Much in the same manner, this verb is used some-

times as equivalent to D(/5 preceded by ^ILI (368) to ex-
press the English copula. Thus

Even that which fools do as wisdom is the opposite.

i.e. 'The wit of fools is folly'.

588. (4) (and colloquially ^I^T) is some-

(a) <J$'JD

times used in the sense of yes, in reply to a question.

It is better to avoid this use of the word. See para.
652. (b) Sometimes also ^LZ is added to a sentence to
denote certainty ;
as jy /<** Ooszar^srr J)a>a ^/i. There
certainly are no women there.
 158

589. (5) ^eugfi, the future participial noun, neuter

gender, is sometimes used to introduce a sentence, and

may then be translated by the English word thus. When

thus used, it is attached to a neuter participial noun. As

c&feiissr Ofrreyrssr^rreu^i. He spoke thus or, What he

said was
590. (6) The relative participle ^esr, when added to
an abstract noun, transforms it into an adjective. See
para. 193. Thus &p>u\-\ beauty, Qpuunssi e_StI/L/ a
beautiful garment. (Lit. garment which is
beauty.)
591. In the same manner ^sar (or =^*oj, another
form of the relative participle) is used, where in English
one noun stands in apposition to another noun. (It is

however, often omitted in the common dialect.) Thus

His son Eama. ^/TLO

King Nala, the per-

sonification of justice.

N.B. It will be observed that in the above examples

c^sar has the meaning of who is or who was (587 6) ;

and that the literal translation would be Rama who is

his son.

(7) Some uses of ^ have been explained in paras.

233, 246, 373, 528, and also its use in forming an opta-
tive in para. 529.

592. The word is

^
also used idiomatically for
summing up ;and may then be expressed in English by
altogether, or in all, or total. Thus

Q_ - B_U>, $)jff,H_6W- ^/f)]Ul3u(7Fj&G>r)69r (204, 560). /S

&I.GSI is for if>sr + e_<_sar (232).

I have herewith sent the original petition 1 ;

the account
of the estimated cultivation 1 ;
in all 2.

593. A form made by adding <^ or ^iu to a neuter

participial noun, is often used to connect a subordinate

 159

clause with the clause to which it is subordinate. In

many cases this form is equivalent to a finite verb fol-

lowed by <oTG5i, as explained in para. 532. Thus

GT63T (2i/>C?6ti
e_/E7(Cr5<35(<9j ^SILKSij ^Ut
GptrtJsrgjSlpgi (560).
It appears as if your favour towards me was failing.

ffi
3iG3ia>-&j (W)urriLi
]

firesr^ssr (226, 577, 579).

He said that three-fourths part of the said place had been
burnt up, and that owing to it, he had lost property of
the value of 4 rupees.

N.B. Here sSliLi^] <or69rjyu>, and Qurrssr&i (or QUIT

u^/Eygy) QTSST^LA might be used.

594. (8) c^s3)(L//reo
or ^snai&^gpiLo (145) and
v)/r>), the instrumental cases of the verbal nouns

and *S)J,PG*>, literally mean by it being so. They are con-

stantly used in the sense of the English words therefore
or wherefore.

595. (9) The conditional form -J^ig)^ (or ^S(So), which

literally means if it be so, is constantly used in the sense
of the English words but or if.

596. (10) The forms and ^uSlguLz, and

*sy,$S)gaLt>,

^)J)HLO, which mean

although it be so (525) are
literally

constantly used in the sense of the English word nevertheless.

N.B. For other uses of the above words, see paras. 179,,
242 and 243.
597. (11) The word ^sQsu, the emphasized form of
the infinitive mood, literally means as it is so (391). It
is used in the sense of the English word therefore.

ON THE ROOTS &-&r, J)a>, AND jyed.

598. The root e_srr
expresses existence. It appears in
the expression /'s/rsar
e_sYrsrrs)TS)yto
as long as I live. See para.
 160

460. In the poetical dialect only there is a full tense

e-CJsrrsJr I exist. The following parts derived from this
root, are in common use :

, which is explained in para. 365.

r, which is used in the sense of it is true, i.e.
it really exists,

.e-errerr the relative participle.

^-srr&rsusBr, e_en sneusn, e-srrsrr^r etc., the participial nouns.

599. The relative participle e_srrsirr is sometimes used in

the sense of it is true ;

as e_syrsrr &<ss>p a true story.
The same meaning is also sometimes attached to the
neuter participial noun ; as &-Grrfffr^i Q^/TffOjjy. Speak the
truth.

600. The most common use of e_srrsrr is to express

possession. Hence when it is added to an abstract noun
it transforms it into an adjective (193). Thus .jysu/f i$J3>!

tt/<srrsiT iSiuiriuir^u^. He is a just judge. (Lit. He is a

judge possessing [to whom there is] justice.)

601. The participial nouns frequently take the same
meaning, as explained in the last paragraph. Thus
eQgi-euT&u) e_srrsYT6usar. He is a trustworthy man.

602. N.B. The negative of SLerrsrr is expressed by

the past relative participle of (300) as j@<5 a refuge, ^3 ;

jsl&app uireSt, a wretch without any refuge $j<J&&LnprD ;

eussr a merciless man.

603. From the root ^iso, which denies existence, i.e.

which negatives the subject, are derived the following

parts :

), which is explained in para. 366.

,
a singular third person neuter.

soso/r^y (or g)s>so/r)

and gjfissr^, verbal par-

ticiples.

(and ^)50sO/r), a relative participle.

 161

or $30eo&i), etc.,

participial nouns.

)ffOsti/r<33>a), a verbal noun (482).

604. The verbal participle )<?os\)/rLoffi), and less frequently

(j&'SsrfSl , are used as postpositions signifying without. Thus

jSS)t_ (i5ff0S\)/TLDSl) L/533TLO Oaf/rO^^/T/f.SFSYr.

They gave the money without hesitation.

605. From the root cjyso which denies quality, i. e.

which negatives the predicate, are derived the following

parts :

which is explained in para. 369.

, a singular third person neuter.
ffOstf/r^ (or ^gystfs^/r)
and ^eisTjSl, verbal

participles.

(and =jyffi)/r,)
a relative participle.

tjstietiirpsusir, ^gyffOso/rdf^y or ^^osojp, etc.,

participial nouns.

^gyiffOstf/rsajLo,
a verbal noun.
606. The verbal participle ^gysosOT/^sv), and less frequently

the verbal participle .jysar^ are used in two ways, as

follows :

607. (a) Firstly, ^gysosti/nLDstf (or .jysar^) is used in the

sense of except, besides, but. In this case, the word pre-

ceding it takes emphatic <sj (378). It is then always fol-

lowed by a negative verb, and the corresponding positive
verb is always implied with the words preceding *]<s$

Thus
/ LSlsrrSsrrQtLi
^fsvsVTLdsti (SsuQp firtLS u5lsti?}s\).
(Here
before ^^sfl/ruxfo the words ^/rtl ^uu ^(^sQp^s are

implied.)
Except this child, there is no other witness. This im-

plies This child is a witness, but there is not another

witness.
 162

(Here before ^eveorrL&eo the word ^tiuoS^j^jii is implied.)

Happiness will riot result, but affliction (will result).

so,, GeuQr> eu&GSTLn

(373).
Without any other word except the word 'King Nala',
she had her thoughts fixed upon him alone.

608. (b) Secondly, ^G\)ei>trLc>&> (or jyar^) is used,

where in English we use the expression not only . .

but also. In this case the word preceding ^ffOso/roiffi) takes

the affix e_u> (239). In this idiom, the word preceding
ffO is usually a neuter participial noun. Thus

Not only did he speak favourably, but he also gave

some alms.
609. N.B. Instead of jsyetiswrLoev, the words f&aQ-r and

<spy$u-J are sometimes used in sentences like those explained

in the preceding paragraph.

610. The words ^ysoso/russv) and ^esr^Sl take the affix

e_o>, and are then used as conjunctions the beginning at

of sentences, in the sense of besides, moreover. Sometimes
also they are added to =sy^7 or 3)^7, in which case the
e_u> is attached to them ; as ^ffOs^/ru^Lc, or
=3ys3r/0?//yLD,

^gisyu>eti<stirru>3ti besides this.

611. The word ^sustigi is sometimes used, where in

English the word or is used. Thus
^)j5? <3F/fl, gys\)S0^7 ^UlS^LD.
This is
(either), right or wrong.
 CHAPTER XI
Supplementary Information

ON THE ALPHABET AND ORTHOGRAPHY

612. The
letter oo (also written <ov.), called
^UJ^LD, is
inserted by Tamil grammarians between the vowels and
the consonants. It is only used in poetry, and has a ch
sound ; thus @)ojgi, a poetical form for gfigi, is pronounced
ichdhu.
613. In ordinary native writing the dot over a con-
sonant is often omitted.

614. Tamil grammarians divide the eighteen consonants

into three classes as follows :

(1) 6Uff06$3r/i,
or strong class, viz. , f, <, p, u, /.
or soft class, viz. m, LD, <ssr.
(2) 6>t/>ff06$63TLb, IBI, (g,, essr,

or middle class, viz. uu, 7, <s$, Lp, err.

(3) Jj)65>/_u5/63rti, <sv,

615. Abbreviations are used in Tamil; and a list of

those most commonly in use are given in the appendix.

ON THE INSERTION AND CHANGES OF LETTERS

616. With reference to Eule VI, para. 93, it is useful

toremember that the letters <&, f, p, u are never inserted,.

when the first word is a relative participle, a finite verb,
a vocative case, a word ending in emphatic <?, or inter-

rogative $, or ^, or the postpositions,

 164

617. These letters are always inserted when the first

word is QLJTILJ, or -^^J, or verbal participle ending in ^

(395), or ending in e_ preceded by a double consonant; as

618. With regard to changes of letters, as for instance

those given in paras. 94 and 95, many more will be
found in the poetical dialect. With regard to them Ehenius
in his Tamil grammar says
1
It is evident that these changes form a part of that

system of artifices, by which the ancient Hindoo literati

excluded the common people from understanding their
writings, making them too perplexing to be studied by

everyone; hence it is that they are not strictly observed

in the common intercourse of life; and it is to be wished
that they were altogether banished from the language.'
619. As some of these changes have found their way
into the ordinary dialect, a few of them are added as
illustrations

620. (a) When final esr and so are followed by *s, the
two letters become pp. Thus Qu/rssr gold and <s&(J)l a

plate, become Quirp/Da a gold plate ;

<sz_&o the sea and

$<SS>T a wave, become &ipfSl<as>T a sea wave.

621. (b) When final err is followed by p the two
become t-L. Thus /5/rar a day and (S^rr^yus, become /s/r(?t_/r

jpiLL daily.

622. (c) When final GO is followed by /*, they each

become ssr. Thus /5<n>
good and ^irev a rule, become KSBT

jgp/rgo a good rule.

623. (d) When final essr is followed by it the latter

also becomes SKT; thus sr the eye and /f/r water, become
<55sz0r<333r/r tears ;
3jsm cold and /*?/f water, become ^eaarfiaaP/r
cold water. These two compounds are both in common use.
 165

624. Sanskrit compounds are sometimes introduced into

Tamil, with the compounds formed according to the rules

of Sanskrit grammar. The following are the most com-
mon examples:
When final *s>f
is followed by initial =/ or ^, the two
become =^/ thus u^f and ^/EJ&LD become u^&rriEi&Lo
a calendar.

When final .jy is followed by initial $), the

two become
<5J, thus fry and ^ik^T^sr become ^-Qmk^U^a the God
Indra.

When final jy is followed by initial e_, the two become

ge ; thus (9jifltLJ
and S-^UJLO become ^/ffQiuir/ftutJi sunrise.

ON NOUNS

625. According to native grammars a noun has eight,

cases (104) ;
as follows :

1st case Nominative LDJLO a tree.

2nd Accusative LDJ<sv<5 a tree.

3rd ,,
Instrumental Lof^fSfr) by a tree.

Social lArpGpirGl (232) with a tree,

4th ,,
Dative LLT^^I^^ to a tree.

lATp&taiaira (233) for a tree.

5th Motion (from) u>7jgr}>, u&jsi&eStTijG from a tree.

^i, or u>ff]a>jslG&Gsrjp

(237)
6th Genitive L^T^^ISST, LD a p jsl ^i of a tree.

<ss>iiu, grammatical
u>jp$ssr&i (146)
7th Locative LC^T^S\), i&TjSfjsta&i^ in or at a tree.

fi@& (238)
8th . Vocative i^jQic O tree.
 166

626. In the higher dialect, the inflectional base is some-

times used as a locative case. Thus
sra)so/ru> Qufnu, tQstipg] $ptB
(329).
On hearing this, all the doves went, and alighted on
the ground, and were caught in the net.

627. In the higher dialect, some nouns admit of a kind

of conjugation, besides declension, i.e. they change in form,

when connected with a pronoun of the first or second per-

son. The Telugu student will at once recognize this as

the universal rule in that language, whereas in Tamil it
is only used in the higher dialect. Thus, for instance,

.jysusar
unr<sQ means He is a sinner (368), but if the sub-

ject be unrein, then the form would be as follows : /5/rsar

urrsQQiussr. These forms are made by affixing the personal

terminations of the verbs (260) to the inflectional base of a
noun.

628. In the common dialect the word ^fiy-Giuesr is

frequently used, which is formed as above from the word

a foot, and means I, your humble servant. Thus

r
(168, 372).

By your blessing, I your humble servant am well.

Sometimes in Tamil two or more nouns, instead of

629.

taking the conjunction e_u>, are formed into a compound

expression, with the sign of the plural affixed ; as urrSsar

<pLLiy.&srr pots and pans.

630. In very colloquial Tamil, a noun is sometimes

reduplicated, to give a kind of comprehensive meaning.
it

The latter word generally takes the consonant Thus .

QL&'SS>& a table, Quvaaf @<an& a table, etc. Compare the

English expressions hokus pokus, heggledy piggledy.
 167

ON VERBS
In the higher dialect, instead of the medials S/^v
631.
and forms Qssrjpi and ^fisBTgy are some-
-sQj)i (257) the
times used in the present tense and present relative parti-

ciple ;
as uty.&!G/D6ifr, etc., or uiy-&Q<ssrQnr)Gsr ) etc., or ut^ajir

rls3rQf05sr, etc.

ON VULGARISMS
632. In common conversation several vulgarisms are

used, which will be easily learnt by familiarity with the

colloquial language. The following are illustrations

633. (a) The letters /r and p are sometimes inter-

changed. The letters /D/D are sometimes changed into

JSJB', as &rr^gi for <sfrjr>^i wind. The letter ip is some-

times changed into err in Tinnevelly, and into tij in Madras ;

as Gairsffi or Qamu for Q&iry$ a fowl. The letters esrp

are sometimes changed into sstsressr; as g&saarjp/ for spssr^i
one (204).
634. (6) The termination Qp&i of the third person
neuter of the present tense is changed into @JP/ as

Kta(3j&J for Ri&QrDgi; $)((fja(8j&i for ^(T^^SliD^i-

635. (c) The medial pgi of the past tense is changed

into .<*/ as uty-&<3f6sr, etc., for uiq-^QpeM, Hence for
the verbal participle uiy-f3r is used for uisf-/5gi.

636. (d) The termination uSIjo^i (268) of the third

person neuter of the past tense is changed into -P&-&I or

<&&; as QuTf3^^} or Quir&zi-, for QumiSl/b^i; <#,&&$

or $,, for ^u9<b&i.

ON SYNTAX
637. The past participial nouns <^sreijssr, ^ssi euerr, etc.,

from cgj
to become, and the future participial nouns <sresr

LJGU&SJ, eTGsrueusir, etc., from erear to say, are sometimes

 168

added to nouns (and specially when they are the subjects

of sentences) without any actual meaning, but merely to

throw emphasis upon them. The present participial nouns

^QpsussT) etc., andOTsarS/Dsusiir, etc., are also used in the

same manner in colloquial Tamil. Thus

etc. (Lit. One who was the son of a king.)

A certain prince called his prime minister, and etc.

{jftrrriLlsisr uTGSTU6U6&]Smi_ILJ ^fTUJfT/T ^^l^^jQurr^oTT (579).

The mother of a certain king died. (Lit. One who was

named Irayan.)
638. In Tamil, when there are a series of nouns of the

same class (i.e. all rational beings, or all neuters) instead

of affixing e_/i> to each of them, it is common to put them

all in the nominative case, and then to add the words

<5TS3T^)i ^Da/fcSES-fr (these namely) or srssr/jsu rasrr (those

named), if the series of nouns denote rational beings, and

OT63TJ2/ |)s3>su<ssYr or
srswtjsjnsi/asTr (431), if they be neuters.

These final words alone are put in the case required by

the construction of the sentence. Thus

c^/r^sar, Qdsr/D/DSiJr er^au^s^^i^ ^^sQu^usyr (492).

I will inform Sathan and Kottan. (Lit. I will cause it

to be made known to S. and K.)

Quirssf, Qsusrrsrft, FT-IJLJLQ, ^(TTJLOL

They gave him gold, silver, lead, and iron.

639. Where the whole of a series of nouns is not speci-

fied, in English the expression

'
et cetera ', or '
and others ',

or '
and the rest is
'

used. The same meaning is

expressed in Tamil by the use of the relative participle

or (t^sSliu. Thus

Indra, and the other gods rose up.

 169

Qurresr (LppstirrgnrsnsuaSsrr

They gave him gold, etc.

640. When there are several subjects to the same verb,
if
they are all of the same class (i.
e. if
they all denote
rational beings, or are all neuters) i-ii is attached to each,
and the verb is put in the plural. Thus

Men, women, and children worshipped.

641. But if the subjects include both rational beings
and also neuters, the verbs must be repeated with each
subject, or, in some cases, the postposition <sp with may
be employed. Hence Men and horses perished ' '
would
be translated in Tamil thus

The men perished, and the horses also perished.

Or L&ssFljSr Q ^sj/rG
(
>

srr/r@
^L^r^^mrssrr.
The men perished, together with the horses.
642. If there are subjects of all three persons to the

same verb, the verb is put in the first

person plural. If
there are subjects of the second and tbird person only
the verb is put in the second person plural. Thus

I, you, and he will go.

You and he will go.

643. When two

or more genitive cases belong to the
same noun, they cannot take the conjunction z>.u> ; but the
governing noun must be repeated after each genitive case
or they may all be put in the nominative case, followed

by GrGsruGiJir&srr or srsw'L-'snsudssrr, or by

3joay<3Esrr. Thus

The nature of red, green, and blue.

18
 170

644. Besides the form of compound expressions explained

in para. 190, there is another form which is occasionally
used, and of which the construction is very peculiar. The
natural order appears to be reversed, and the first noun
stands in the nominative case. Thus g&(/5 (SJL-LO urrgys^
6&(/5 gaofl e-iss)r> QIMITIT. One drop of sour buttermilk to
a pot of milk. Probably this is a case of apposition, and
the sentence literally translated would be sour butter-
milk one drop, to milk one pot.
645. The dative case is sometimes used in the sense
of the English expression with reference to, or regard-
ing Thus

With regard to the money not passing, there is the

merchant, show it to him.

What must I do about this? (Lit. That which one will

do about this what [is it] ?)

646. The Infinitive mood and the verbal participle are

sometimes idiomatically repeated to express a continuous
action. Thus
/_//r/f(S<5G/L/u/r/f<<5, Qeuis^<s<sy>3HLi!Ts $j)nK&(gjL!L (373, 391).
As a person kept gazing upon it, it was a pleasing
spectacle.

He kept sobbing and weeping unceasingly. (Lit. He wept,

sobbing, sobbing and not ceasing.)
647. In the case of a few words, the first part is re-

duplicated to intensify the meaning ; as /5iBr(3j to tremble

greatly.
648.. A peculiar idiom is occasionally used, which in
form is equivalent to GJ&sr why ? attached to the third person
 171

masculine of the future tense, but used with a subject of

any gender, number or person; as & ^uuu}. eH^LoL/siy/r

Qssrssi ? Why do you wish thus ? probably some
It is

contraction, and may possibly be a root noun, followed by

649. The word (tpsar before and its equivalents (234)

are sometimes affixed to a negative relative participle (479),
which in this case drops the final &; and sometimes to

the dative case of a negative participial noun (480). See

paras. 439 and 459. Thus

Before you do it, come here.

/
j$<5s>i & Qfiuujir.gprbtTjj (LpssrGttr gjftiE]Q& SUIT*
Before you do it, come Jhere.

650. The word Quireo like or as (236) is

frequently
added to a neuter participial noun; as
like the doing. Sometimes also it is added to the condi-
tional form (516). Thus
LcrrSsd&srr -JB!iTii)<rrrr)Qun~/si> } ^gyssrsyruUiSmflaGrr

(320).

The swans descended like the dropping of pearl garlands.

651. N.B. Sometimes also such forms as the

following
are used, Q#iLiS!QyuQurr<si>, Qfuupn-uQurTsti, and G-fvuiLj

LbiruQuiTso,which are composed of the relative participles,

followed by =g and Quired.
652. In Tamil, an answer is usually given by repeating
the verb of the question; or by repeating the noun of the

predicate, if the question be in the form of a sentence in

which there is no verb, the copula being understood (368).
Thus
Q. jtjeussr GUftprrttss)?
Has he come? A. euitj&irsst Yes
(Lit. He has come); si/araSffO^o No (Lit. He has not come
 172

[474] Q. =gijgj umjD/r? Is that a tree? A. u>ju>j5!rear Yes

(Lit. It is a tree [169] ;
uvruseoed No (Lit. It is not a tree).

653. The verbs SU/T/E?^

and Ods/rsrr mean to receive, and
the person from whom anything is received takes the post-

position $)L-..!&le\). The verbs jy<ani_ and QMJZ/ mean to

obtain, and the person through whose instrumentality any-
thing is obtained, is put in the instrumental case. See
last example in para. 566. Thus
G> 'sufi
Lpj&Gti <s/_6ar eurr/EiS
^-uj/rszrra/sar sp^trj &LLty-ii9
a-
(560, 637).
A certain householder had received a loan from a certain
merchant.

I obtained it through him or by his means.

654. Verbs signifying to give, to make known, to teach,

and to consent, in addition to an object in the accusative

oase, take also a dative case of the person. Thus

He taught wisdom to the ignorant.

jy6g><^ e_/B<55(>fl7<95(3j ^/SaSl ULJITGSr (492).

He will make this known to you or He will inform

you of this.

655. The intransitive verbs asa>L_ to be obtained, fiJiUsS

to happen, $>"&(&) to be merciful, t-HULJu to be afraid,

govern a dative case. Thus

I have got it. (Lit. That has been obtained to me.)

ffrszjr(5 igJr/ErQLb (253).

Be merciful to me.

jysug(j;<s(2ju uiuuuQStyiTasir (580).

They are afraid of him.

 173

656. The verb srsar means to say. When it is neces-

sary to express the person addressed, the verbal partici-
ple L//r/fd?,^7 or QmiraSl is used. It may be compared to

the English word '

addressing '. Thus

Q&LbUi_ euSssru uirir^^i,
'
/
eruQuir^j a&nr
Great
Qysisr (534).
The hermit said to the fisherman or The hermit ad-
dressing the fisherman, said '
When will you ascend the
bank.' (Lit. Looking at the fisherman.)
657. The verb (?/_/<* means to speak. The person ad-
dressed takes the postposition jp or &-i<36tir with. Thus

I shall speak to him about it.

658. The verb Qftrsogp. (Q fired) means to tell (308).

When the object to the verb
expressed by a noun, is

the person addressed is put in the dative case, or takes

the postposition ^ or e_/_(Jsar with. Sometimes also the
postposition J^L^^SO is used. Thus

<orinjS(<snj&(3j
fSturruufEisSstrf Q fir QUAILS (253).
Tell us the reasons. (Lit. Tell to us the reasons).

^jik^fF ftwajslsyxu QftrsinGsyrsifr.

jysi/(?(S3)3)

I told the matter to him.

659. Sometimes the verb ^/rstf^y is used in the sense

of the English verb to name ;
and it then governs an
object in the accusative case. Thus

ff&25 Qjgrrifl
QUIUGV>T& Q&rrsoe, ^Q^ Gp.r L^Ssmaj jysmL^L/
u.Tsir (399).

She would call one companion, naming the name of another.

660. When Q-y/rs-ojjy is preceded by an infinitive mood,

the person is put in the objective case. Thus

Tell the horsekeeper to come.

 174

661. The verb <2srr to ask may take a double accu-

sative. Thus

He asked a miser for a loan or He asked a loan of

a miser.
62. Sometimes, however, the person takes the post-
position <^i&jl?!&>.
663. The student should carefully enter in a notebook,
and commit memory, all the idiomatic expressions with
to

which he may meet in reading and conversation. Being

peculiarities of expression and not of grammar, they
cannot be dealt with in a grammar, and therefore a few
illustrations only are added.
'
eu'Sosr srsarju Grsisresr
gjfissrfoSjGsr ^/^iLimjoei),
?' srsar
uirirsQlcyiLi T^sar (174).
The servant not knowing who he was, said Why are '

you looking at the tree ? (Lit. The servant not knowing

him
'

saying
'
he is such an one ', said What are you
looking at the tree!)

LbJSSSI
;&}&(&) {j)lLC> cJ^Suj LjeSuSeST SiLlLJ QulT<<3

^T^7 (509, 591).

One must not go near a tiger, as it is a great risk of
life (Lit. Which is a place for death).

LbJsssip gi&(9j /5/T(S*)srs3>i_MY/_D

sa L$ .
(*3>jafsrsni a side) 217.

We are exposed to death on all sides. (Lit. There is a

way to death on the four sides.)

57^7 ? (LASST&I + &^ 335.)

What greater pleasure is there in the world, than con-
versing with a congenial friend ? (Lit. In this world, what
is another pleasure, than conversing with a friend whose
mind agrees.)
 175

6TS3T

You must protect me, and show favour to me, so that

she may fall to my lot.

Here =^ is affixed to p&&&}, the neuter participial

noun formed from the past relative participle of p(9j to be
fit. When this expression is added to the infinitive of
another verb, it expresses purpose.
 CHAPTEK XII
Appendices
APPENDIX I

ABBREVIATIONS
Abbreviations are frequently used in Tamil, specially in
business and legal papers. The principal of these are given
in the following table:

English Tamil word Abbreviation

A Kupee ^urnu @n_
An anna (^ of a rupee) ^f$>ss) <y
A pie (fa of an anna) stnu&ir emu
Total (592) ^s ^_
A measure (wet or dry) <seou> **
A weight of 500 Ib. UITJLC,
ypi
A yard
A square yard
Number KU^UIT (English word)
A year
A month
Date (i. e. Day of the month) Q
Current
Aforesaid
Wet cultivation /5sar0^u!/

Dry cultivation

Long-lived (a polite title to

a junior)

Most honourable (&TIT&

 177

APPENDIX II

ON GRAMMATICAL TERMS
(I) Alphabet ^(flem-fl, letter <5T(igfBg), short letter

long letter Qisiq-sti, diphthong tjftSsasr, vowel e_o9/r

consonant QL&UJ <or(igpg>i, compound letter

primary form of a letter (tp^e\) <or(fp&i, secondary form

prr/rGiu(ig3>^iJ],
the dot over a mute consonant

(II) Grammar $GV&&6sarLL, orthography

means chapter), etymology syntax
ujGO, prosody rhetoric

(Ill) A noun sti, an adjective

a numeral cardinal ordinal

<5T5ssr.
pronoun adverb

particle

(IV) A casal affix is called ^-04? and a case

nominative case <or(Lgeumii, vocative case
The other cases are numbered, e. g. accusative

eufh^txsinL^ (218), etc.

Eational nouns are called ^-Luir^Ssm (high caste), and

are divided in the singular (ep(rfj<s3>Lc>) into ^Qstsruireb

(masculine) and QussaruirGti (feminine). Plurals of mascu-

line or feminine nouns are called Ljetiirutrev. Irrational

nouns are called ^QO^^SSST neuter singulars are called

',

g&sar/Dearu/rffO,
and neuter plurals uGtisQesruirev. The single
word plural is expressed by usorsmuD.

(V) A transitive verb is called iSlpsQ&sr, an intransi-

tive verb <6iir<sQ$5sr. Causal, passive, reflexive, and auxi-

liary verbs all come under the term ^&ssrsQSo9r (help-verb).
Defective verbs are called (GjstnrxsQtJssr.

A finite verb is called (LppgusSSssr; and those parts

which have no personal termination are called
 178

(defect). This term includes the conditional, the infini-

tive, the verbal participle (which are all called afl&ar

because they require a finite verb to complete the

6T<p<FLc>,

meaning) and the relative participles (which are called

Quiuir erf&ut, because they require a noun to complete
the meaning). The imperative mood is called zjsvsti, the

optative mood eSiu/EjQ-srrsrr^ a verbal noun QprriflpQunr,

and the negative form 7^/rLD0!n/D0a>/rL$.

Conjugation is called sSlSssrrLppjp], a root U(9jfif a per-

sonal termination sSl^jsl, a medial (257) ^fl

the three tenses (Lp&arreviM (212), the present tense
the past tense ^)/D^-sir<sOLG, the future tense

Lo, the three persons (LpzQiu>, the first person

>, the second person (Lpssrsafl(fa>uSliLb, the third

person ui<ra<s5)aaSli_Lc>.

(VI) Insertion of letters QpresriDsti, transmutation of

letters $tfipe\>, omission of letters QaQpso.

APPENDIX HI

ON DAYS, MONTHS, AND YEARS

The day, distinguished from the night, is called usso,
and the night {jfianr.

A day consisting of twenty-four hours is called /vrerr. when

considered as a part of the month ; but Qiptstu*, when
it is considered as a part of the week. Qpiiifijl or Qp$
means the day or date of the month, marked a_ ; it is

called fsljsl,
with respect to the age of the moon. The
day divided into sixty parts, called /5/r^sjn, vulg. ffifg^j
is

which is equal to twenty-four minutes. The night, viz. from

aunset to sunrise, is divided into four parts, called firi&Lb

or S?/ru>/i.

The week is called &pM& or SI//TTLD. It consists, like

ours, of seven days, which receive their names from the seven
 179

planets called Qar&u>, in which the Hindus include the

sun : to these names, the term QipctnLt* is added ; as :

the Sun, ^iraSlp^asSlLpsstLo, Sunday,

the Moon, $iw&LLSlLpss)L>, Monday.
Mars, <3<poijsumLja~>SLp<5y>La, Tuesday.
LjjSesr, Mercury, t-i^sirrSlLpanLQ, Wednesday.
<sQiLJirLpLc>, Jupiter, sSlujirLp&SlLpM)L>, Thursday.
Qeusrnsrfl, Venus, Qeuen-stfiaSStp-snu), Friday.
psafl, Saturn, <FfR<lLp<ss)Lr>, Saturday.
The month is called Lo/r-s/i or LZIT&LL, and marked &
The first month of the year is &<5J5l5>T. They are twelve
in number, as follows:

1.
Sfsflmif, half of April and May.
2. ss)eu&rr&, May and June.
3. June and July.
*jy,<9fl)

4.
gjif , ;, July and August.
5. August and September.
^GuesS,
6. LffnLL-.tr S3, September and October.
7. _ %uu (vulg.

<g\pu&}, October and November.

8. smrpJElsins, ;, November and December.
9. Lomr&Lfl, December and January.
10. &>&, January and February.
11. u>ir&, February and March.
12. uiB^safl, ,, March and April.
N.B. The year is called SU^S^LO and marked @w
When the age of a person is meant, eu0a^ti is not used,
but siitu^j or <si]uj<9r or LilTmuLJ) / which literally signifies

age : for instance, I am ten years old, must be rendered

by <orssr<s(^Lj ujBg} euiugpsasr , not UjSgn SUQ^<S^LLI / but,

I was born ten years ago, must be expressed by

viz. /5/rsar iStnotkgji uiBgj} evQjjapiGiruSrt^pj (402).
 180

The Hindus have a cycle of sixty years, each of which

has its own peculiar name. The English date A.D. is now
so generally used in India, that it is not necessary to give
the names of the Hindu years.

APPENDIX IV
ON THE POINTS OF THE COMPASS, AND SIGNS OF
THE ZODIAC
A region or point in the horizon is called GS>& or

$&raj. The four chief points are

The east.

The west.
The south.

The north.
The four intervening angles are called Qf&si), viz.,

South-east.
South-west.
North-west.
North-east.

The signs of the Zodiac are called JJ)TT. Their names

are these

ii or GLO/_LO, Aries. sssrsafl, Virgo.

$)iuub, Taurus, ^jevrrdb, Libra.

Gemini. 03(rrj&$&L>, Scorpio.

, Cancer. pgu&, Sagittarius.

Leo.

APPENDIX V
TABLE OF RELATIONSHIPS
The father is called p&uu&t, jyuuttr, piksnp or
The father's brothers,

But the elder brother of the father, Quf/tuuueir.

younger
 181

The mother,
The mother's sister, ,,

But the mother's elder sister, Quifltu

,, younger ,, Sssrssr

The grandfather, both on the father and mother's side,

'
/ IITI I KXT.

The grandmother, both on the father and mother's side,

The father's sister,

The mother of one's wife or husband,

The brother of the mother, .jyiiLDTsar, <rnuL&trLossr.

Brothers and sisters, &-L-.ui5lpti<56u/t<Gir or

The elder brother (of the same father and mother)

The younger brother of ( )

The elder sister of ( ) .jy^/rsrr or

The younger sister ( ,, ) PIEJ&&& or

The husband, Rtruj&issr, assarsij&ir, IM ssst su/r err ssr,

K6sr, uQ?jj5<5rr or up&rr, ^i&apstniiLirrGsr (vulg.

ujirssr},
etc.

The wife, QuasarimL.!^, i&SosrzS!, virtus?,,

A brother-in-law, sstLb&sgisaTssr (vulg.

^/rsar) ; it means also a cousin, who is the mother s

brother's son or the father's sister's son.

A sister-in-law, ss^Lo^^issfl (vulg. L&&&68f), L&& 9 &$&&);

also the wife's younger sister, or the younger brother's wife ;

also a cousin, who is the mother's brother's daughter, or the

father's sister's daughter.

The wife's elder sister, Q&tr(Lg>/i>J!Bl.

The husband's brother, G>atr(Lgii;p6sr.

The husband's sister, /5/r^(g)/r.

Persons who have married two sisters, call each other
 182

Persons who have married two brothers, are called

Several women, married to one man, call each other

A father-in-law,

A mother-in-law,

A son-in-law, u^a^sar, also the son of a man's sister

or of a woman's brother.

A daughter-in-law, uxTi)Lc>&&!r , also the daughter of a

man's sister, or of a woman's brother.

A grandson, QUJSST, Quru&sirtisiT.

A granddaughter, Quir^^l, also a sister's granddaughter.
N.B. This is taken from the grammar of the Kev.
C. T. Khenius.

APPENDIX VI

ON THE SPECIAL USE OF CERTAIN WORDS

(1) The Tamil language has several nouns to denote
the infancy of men, or of animals, or of trees, which
must not be used promiscuously. Thus infants and children
are called (3j,Lti>oa>{ and iSlsrrBsff, which last is also used
of young palm trees ; as G><GifrirL&LSl3rrSsfr, The word
(3j;gj3r
is used of birds, of mice, of fishes, and of in-

sects ;
thus Ly(75><s(3j.g5<3r a young pigeon ;
3wr$ssjgj@<gF-
a chicken ;
<srs$<(3j;S5<3?-, isvr(&j5]j3r, etc. The common
appellation for the young of four-footed animals is

(ff)LLu)-,
etc. It is also used of serpents; as
The calves of cows and buffaloes cannot be called simply
but we must say &eirr^J or assarjz/cc^Ll^: thus,
ss3f^)/ or utt-sBissr s&sr^s^iL.^-', ffr(tf)<5S)L&35 sesr^))
or OT(5S3>Lo<35 <55sw^/<95(^LLif.
But of horses and asses we
 183

may say either (g^^ or LG/!% :

thus, (GjJ5!<s5><TLt>{Sl,

u>n$. Of harts, camels and elephants, we may say either

(2)L_tf.
or <xsyr^n; Lctreisrasifr^J, g&/-L<53>/_<55<S63rj2/, iLJir8osr&

sssr^i. Lastly, of all plants, whilst they are little (the

palm tree excepted), we must use the word

(2) In order to denote the male and female sex, the

Tamil people use the words ^ssar and Qusssr ; and this-
can be said of every creature, also of animals and birds :

however, if it is said absolutely, it is supposed only of

men, for whom they also add the word iSlsti&tr.
Thus,
&GtT$s(r, Qussar i9tGtT<isff
yet this does not signify
.j^saar ',

a male or a female child, but absolutely, a man or a

woman : and when i5lsrr$5rr is thus added, it cannot be
said of other animals.

The male of birds is called -fireu^, the female QuLL<ss>t__,

and these two words are placed before or after the specific:

name of every bird :

thus, & T6u i)Q&/rL$
l
l
or <3&frL$&<p,T6ij<sti,
a cock ;
QuiL<ss>L3;(S3>rrLl or <2arrL$uQuLL<53>L_, a hen ;

ftreupL-iqy, a male pigeon; Quil.etnL^uL^(y, a female pigeon,.

etc. With regard to four-footed beasts they vary : the male

If they be greater than calves, the male is simply called

s/rcJbrr, the female Qifrrfi. But when they are fit for work>-

then the ox is called <or(Vj&i, the cow u&. The bull is called

Q/_//rs$0!U(77jjj7.
The male of buffaloes in every age is called

Qtrr, to which, if it be small, they add asvr^t, ^L^ir^^^sr^ ;.

the female they always call ur^snuj, and if it be small,

The male of horses and asses is called
thus, (^sKff'X(^>^l<sy)(j-, (ajssoT'Giai&^stnp, the female

Q&ir<sifiGtn&&&rLgs!n15*
l

thus, Garr'3rfl<5!rw;&(g}, Ssv>T,

The female of other quadrupeds are called with one common

word QuLL.63>t ; thus,. QLj.LL.fini ujrr,. OutL^sstt Lcirssr^
 184

etc. But with regard to the male

they vary : for the male of dogs, cats, foxes, monkies and such
like, they call #$ a/ SOT; of harts <s&o; of sheep and goats
&L-mu.
N.B. This is taken from the grammar of the Kev.
J. Beschi.

FINIS
 ENGLISH INDEX
Under each given (1) Subjects, and Grammatical
letter are

terms, etc., (2) English words for their translation into Tamil.
N.B. The numbers refer to the paragraphs.

A |
Because, 450, 537, 546.
Before, 234, 439, 459, 649.
Abbreviations, Appendix I.
Besides, 607, 610.
Ability, 502, 505. Between, 359, 360.
Accusative, 111, 351, 352, 353.
But, 244, 375, 595, 607, 608.
Adjectives, 189, etc.
Adverbs, 245, etc., 399 (2).
Affixes to rel. partic., 440, etc.,
481. Capital letters, 16.
Answers, 652. Cases, 103, etc., 625.
Apposition, 591. Causal verbs, 492, etc.
Article, 97. Cause, 450, 537, 546.
Auxiliary verbs, 498. Changes of Tamil letters, 86,
After, 234, 453. 618, etc.
etc.,
Also, 240. ,, Sanskrit letters,
Although, 404, 525, 526. 624.
And, 239, 638, etc. Combination of Tamil letters,
As, 391, 448, 452, 528, 650. 86, etc., 618, etc.
As far as, 461. of Sanskrit let-
As follows, 545.
ters, 624.
As soon as, 444, 447, 458. Combinate forms of tenses,
At least, 243.
560, 561.
> of parti-
B ciples, 562, 563.
Comparative degree, 198, etc.
Blessing, 527, etc. Compass, points of, 361, Ap-
Be, 298, 364i, etc., 587 (3). pendix IV.
19
 186

Compound expressions, 190, Existence, 365.

etc., 629, 644. Each, 185.
forms of tenses, Either, 242.
etc., 560, etc. Et cetera, 639.
Composite nouns, 186, 370, Even, 240, 243.
374, 426, etc. Ever, however, etc., 386.
Concession, 404, 525. Everywhere, always, etc., 175.
Compulsion, 499. Except, 607.
Conditional, 516, etc., nega-
tive, 521, etc.
Conjugation of nouns, 627, Feminine, 99.
628.
Fitness, 502, 506, 508, 512.
of verbs, 282, etc.
Future tense, general rule,
Conjunctions, 239, etc., 606, 276.
etc., 638, etc. Fractions, 226.
Copula verb to be, 367, etc.
Consonants (final changed),
94, etc., 618, etc.
Construction of Genders, 99, 101, Appendix
sentences,
VI (2).
343, etc., 568, etc.
Genitive, 109, 120, 146, 354,
Contrast, 383.
643.
Cursing, 527, etc.
Grammatical terms, Appendix
Called, 542.
II.
Can, 505.
H

Dates, Appendix III. H represented in Tamil, 70.

Datives, 110, 144, 356, etc.,
Have, 376.
376, 645, 654. However, 386.
Days of week, Appendix III.
I
Declensions, 115, etc., 625.
Direct narration, 532, etc. Idiomatic expressions, 663.
Distance, 357, 360. mood, 252,
Imperative etc.,
Double consonants, 14.
393, 476.
Doubt, 381. Infinitive mood, 387, etc.
Inflectional base, 108, 113, 125,
130, 147, 626.
Elision of vowels, 88, etc. Insertion of letters, 86, etc.,
Emphasis, 29, 378. 616, etc.
 187

Instrumental case, 111, 363. Nouns, used as adjectives,

Intensive verbs, 574, etc. 190, etc.

Interjections, 248, etc. Numerals, adjectival forms,

Inverted commas, 538. 212.

Irrationals, 100. adverbial forms,220.

If, 516, etc., 521, etc., 595. ,

cardinals, 204, etc.,

Immediately, 444, 447, 458. 22, etc.

In order to, see purpose. distributive, 216.
^ fractions, 226.
ordinals, 218, etc.
personal nouns, 215 .

Letters from Sanskrit, 82.

Named, 542.
,, insertion, changes,
Nevertheless, 596.
etc., 86, etc., 616, etc.
Not only . . .
but, 608.
Limit, 461.
Nowhere, never, no one, etc.,
Locative case, 111, 362, 626.
175.
Let, 514.
O
M Object, 350, etc.

Manner, 448, 452. Oblique narration, 538.

Masculine, 99. Open syllables, 87.

Medials in verbs, 257. Optative, 527, etc.

Order of words in a sentence.
Months, Appendix III.
343.
Motion to and from, 237, etc.
Or, 242, 611.
May, 508, 515, 529, etc.
Ought, 499, 506, 512.
Moreover, 610.
Must, 499, 506, 512. P

N Participial nouns, 426,etc., 436,

etc., 480.

Negative conditional, 521, etc. Participles, affixes to, 440, etc.

copula, 369. relative, 405, etc.,
,, forms of verbs, 470, 479.
etc. verbal, 394, etc.,

,, optative, 531. 477, 566, etc.

Neuter gender, 100. Passive verb, 485, etc.
Nouns, classes of, 98. Past tense, general rule, 278.
conjugation of, 627. Permission, 468, 508, etc., 514.
declension of, 98, 145, Plural used as singular, 154,
625, 261,
 188

Plurals of nouns, 102, 112, Relationships, Appendix V.

121, etc., 138, etc., 629. Relative participles, 405, etc.
Points of the Compass, Ap- affixes to ditto, 440,

pendix IV. etc., 481.

Possession, 354, 374. Repetition, 630, 646, 647, also
Possibility, see ability. 185, 216.
Postpositions, 229, etc. Root, 251.
Prepositions, 229, etc. Respective, 185.
Principal parts of verbs, 547,
549. S
Prohibition, 468, 499, 506, 509.
Sanskrit compounds, 624.
Pronominal affixes, 187.
letters, 82.
Pronouns, adjectives, 171, etc. form of
Secondary vowels,
demonstrative, l>6, 16, etc.
171, etc. Sentences, adjective, 408.

distributive, 185. adverbial, 442.

honorific, 154, etc., noun, 385.

,,

160, 162, 168. Signs of the Zodiac, Appen-

dix IV.
indefinite, 179.
Singular, 102, 154, 209.
interrogative, 164,
etc. Subject, 346, etc., 640, etc.
Superlatives, 201, etc.
personal, 152, etc.
Syntax, 343, etc., 637, etc.
, possessive, 170.
Several, 185.
reflexive, 168.
relative, 184.
Somewhere, something, etc.,
384.
Pronouns, universals, 175,
So that, 390, 438, 449, 454.
etc., 180, etc.
Such, 173, 174.
Propriety, 499, 506, 508, 512.
Purpose, 390, 438, 449, 454.

Q Tenses, 256, etc., 276, etc.

combinate forms, 560,
Questions, 380, etc., 588, 652.
etc.

meanings, 554, etc.

negative. 470, etc.

Rational nouns, 99.
poetical forms, 631.
Reduplications, 185, 216, 630, Time, 364, 402, 444, 446, 447,
646, 647. 453, 455, etc., 458, 459, 460.
Reflexive verbs, 489.
Translation, 567, etc.
 189

Than, 198, etc. Verbalnouns, 462, etc., 482,

That, conjunction, 532, etc., etc.

538. participles, 394, etc.,

Therefore, 594, 597. 566, etc.
Till, 460. Vocative case, 107, 123, 142.
U Vowels, 9.

Vulgarisms, 632, etc.

Universals, 175, etc., 180, etc.

Until, 460.
V
W
Want, 498.
Verb, 250, etc. etc.
Wish, 529,
,, auxiliary, 498, etc.
When, 391, 444, 446, 455, etc.
causal, 492, etc.
Whilst, 391, 455, etc.
copula, 367, etc.
Whatever, Whenever, etc.,
,, intensive, 574, etc. 386.
reflexive, 489, etc.
Without, 604.
,, passive, 485, etc.
poetical forms, 631, etc.
principal parts, 547,
etc. Zodiac, signs of, Appendix IV.
 TAMIL INDEX
444.

445.
pronoun, 172.
300.
sr , 628.
, 602.
, 514, etc.
232.
, particle, 158.
.,

605, 606 to 610.

genitive ending, 146.
159.
610.
ir,

i, 173.

O, 233.

>, 233.
sign of a question, 380.
, 232.
or ^@, 266, 336, 388,
, 605, etc.
383, etc.
osv), 369, etc., 374, 375, 605. , 233, 246, 372, 373, 528,
, 605, 611. 529, 592, 593.
r, 249. . 597.

, 471, 508.
605. u see ^sar.
d, 605, 606 to 610. >, 520, 595.
i, 610. >, 179, 596.
, 605. 637.
3T,

, 249. v, 594.
Honf. 162.
affix, Appendix VI (2).
declined, 161. , 594.
, 298. , 266, 468, 508, 588.
 191

237.
^uSlrn^, 336. ',

u>, 596. >ar particle, 145, 158.

l<u, 246,' 368, 370, 372, 374, ,, genitive ending, 109,

396, 593. 120, 128.

ti, 612. )mfl, 603,604.

i/>, 222.

/r affix to nouns, 150.

;, 179, 589 ;
with numer- F/T affix to nouns, 150.
als, 220.

^w, 193, 590, 591.

m, 637.
pronunciation, 21 ; elided,
eo, 520, 595. 88.

us,' 179, 596. 3r, 230, 447.

, 109, 374.

rar, 310, 388.

pronoun, 172. , 365, 376, 598.
_#sb, 238, 377, 446. e_u>, 239, 240, 539, with con-

_^e(5/5^f, 238. ditional, 525, with interro-

, 299, 577. gations, 175, etc., with

i), 233. numerals, 217, with ver.

>, 233. partic., 404.

, 655. e_(Z,, 298.

, 298, 364f, etc.', 376, 483, e_srr, 233, 598.

523. e_sn-sr, 193, 194,439, 598, 599,

600.
eQQiiigi, 237, 238.
sb, 603, etc. f, 598.

, 603.
<ST
ffieoedirp, 522, 603.

, 603. or pronunciation, 15, 72.

o,, 603, 604. , 6r<sti6timJD, etc., 180,

, 603. to 183.

, 298.
, 366, etc., 376, 472, 473,
474,603.. , 388, 535.
 192

so, 518, 545, 546.

tr, 310, 388, 392, 656.

written , 73.
, 542.

, 544.

ar, etc., 637.

pronunciation, 68, etc. In-
i, 543.
serted, 93, 616, 617. Op-
ar, etc., 637. tative affix, 530.
j, 544. <SL_(? swear, 527.

<or<5ST(7ys\), 545, 546. aso t 266, 329, 388.

532 to 542.
Appendix VI
,
(1).
LL, 542.
310.

airifi
affixes, 149.

655.
<37
pronunciation, 8, 15. 232.
emphatic affix, 378, 379. III.
>, Appendix
GTSST, 648.
234.

Appendix VI (1).

Appendix VI (1).
c8 pronunciation, 24.
101, Appendix VI
in dative case, 144.

236.

, 503, 504, etc.

, i>sir.tf, 206. , 502, 504, etc.

, 236, 609. , 304.

<Jsn-, 266, 329, 388, 661.

sp affix of contrast, 383. Q/nu, 293.

to interrogatives, 384. ^, 328, 489, 490, 653.

for question, 381.

,, to sentence, 385, 386.

>, 232 ; verb, 496.

pronunciation, 32.
pr, >sisr, terminations, 188. ,, substituted, 95,
 193

512.

, 300, 512.
pronunciation, 61 to 64.
a, 236, 609.
insertion, 93, 616, 617.
PIT, 266, 338, 388.
vulgar termination, 635,
636. pronoun, 168 ; particle,
169.
etc., 180, etc.

655. ar, 310, 388.

l,

or QpiiifS, Appendix
, 266, 338, 388.
III.
304.

, etc., 236.

293. m pronunciation, 44.

308, 658, etc. substitution, 95, 622, 623.

and Kmi, 160.

(55 pronunciation, 34. Set, 266, 331, 388.

substituted, 95. JSJT^/, 222.

QKILJ, 293.

CJ/5/r, 266, 338, 388.

. not initial, 56. 656.

pronunciation, 37, 38, 41,

42, 55, 57.
LJ
,
substitution, 94, 621.
u pronunciation, 65, 66, 67.
insertion, 93, 616, 617.

sstsr uif , 232, 448, etc.

pronunciation, 43.
substitution, 94, 621, 623. u, 301, 485, 580.

u^, 213.

fi LJOJUU, 580, 655,

F insertion, 93, 616. ), 230, 451.

pronunciation, 39 to 42, 53, l, 236.

54. , 656.

substitution, 620, 621. s, 452.

19*
 194

&6rr8sir, 101, Appendix VI I

,, 232.

(1). (2). b, 232, 235.

<9r, etc., 234, 453.
QuLLsnt, Appendix VI (2).

Qussar, Appendix VI (2). (u inserted in vowels, 15.

OtJiu/flso or Quitted, 232.
inserted between vowels,
Outtjir or QUIT with numer- 90.
als, 210.
pronunciation, 79.
Quu, 293.

<2U3r, 657.
isnutuesr plural, 121.
J not initial, 81.
j, 298.
pronunciation, 28.
232, 454.
or Quir^gi, 455, 456. SO
r, 266, 337, 388, 396, 484, so not initial, 81.
524, 579, 581.
pronunciation, 36.
i, 471.
,, substitution, 94, 620.
', 306, 576.

verb, 306 ; affix, 455, fil

456.
a; insertion, 89, 90, 172.
), 236, 650, 651.
pronunciation, 45.
6ua/rd5^)U>, etc., 230, 460,
461.
final dropped, 95. 232.
w$#, etc.,
ar
plural, 122. eujirgn, 47 i.
i, etc., 230, 460. a//r, 266, 338, 388, 578.
L_53r 7 475. 653.
GUfriEKVj,

o, 458. e6, 301, 576.

affix to nouns, 150. e9LLt-ir&, 522.
, 300. fl>, 329.
or (LppeSlu, 639. 298.
%>,
, etc., 219, 231. Oa/, 388.
etc., 234, 439, 459, 649. TM, 498, etc
 195

>, 498, etc.

oa/, 294, 577.

p not initial, 80.

pronunciation, 49, 58, 59,

60.

substitution, 94, 145, 620.

Lp not initial, 80.

,, pronunciation, 46. GST

ssr not initial, 80.

err
pronunciation, 36, 44.

not substitution, 94, 620, 622.

srr initial, 80.

pronunciation, 47, 48. 61, <SUV, g?, <&*}, 6kW)

.,, substitution, 94, 621. For these letters see para. 82 .

 OPINIONS ON AEDEN'S TELUGU GRAMMAR
PROCEEDINGS OF THE MADRAS GOVERNMENT, No. 1226.

Ootacamund, August 9, 1879.

His Grace in Council does not doubt that a grammar which

has met with such high approval from very competent
critics will be adopted by all students of Telugu. C. G.

MASTER, Chief Secretary to Government.

It is in my opinion the grammar for an Englishman

wishing to learn Telugu.- Eight Reverend Bishop

CAU5WELL, D.D.

Contains a large amount of useful matter, arranged in a

very lucid manner. G. OPPERT, Esq., M. A., PH.D., Pro-
fessor of Sanskrit, Telugu Translator to Government.

I have gone through the whole book, and think your work

supplies a real want. COL. E. M. MACDONALD, Director

of Public Instruction, Madras.

I am able to speak from experience as to the great services

you have rendered to Telugu students by its publica-

tion. T. HOWLEY, Esq., Professor of Telugu, Oxford.

Is decidedly calculated to supersede its predeceseors . . . has

rendered a material service to the public. Madras Mail.

In every respect an excellent work . . . has supplied a public

need. Madras Athenceum.

S.P.C.K. PRESS, VEPERY, MADRAS 1910.

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