What did ancient languages sound like? • Hacker News Board

Re: What did ancient languages sound like?

#151

Post by fooker » Fri, Jul 09, 2021, 7:10 AM UTC

gpraghu wrote: post #143

FlyingSnake wrote: post #61

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I understand it comes across as jingoistic, but truly Sanskrit grammar and pronunciation hasn’t changed since Pānini. The word Sanskrit itself means “constructed” and there was a rigorous effort to prevent ambiguity.

It is NOT Sanskrit, which was foisted on the world by the british. Please be respectful and call it by it real name, given by Panini which literally codified and formalized it.

Maybe if more people learnt the language instead of crusading on about it's supposed heritage, it would have been the official language of India.

Re: What did ancient languages sound like?

#152

Post by fooker » Fri, Jul 09, 2021, 7:15 AM UTC

gpraghu wrote: post #149

fooker wrote: post #83

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Exactly. This transliteration, in eastern India would be 'Shongskrito'. Which is no more right or wrong compared to saying 'Sanskrit'.

Songuahkrito is not Samskruta but Bengali. So what’s your point?

Sure, and that's exactly why pronunciation has changed over the last few thousand years.

People are always going to speak how they want and eventually the 'correct' version isn't the majority. None of the many thousand people who have learnt Sanskrit in the eastern part of India would pronunce the name as 'Samskruta'. You could argue all day about how they are all wrong, that doesn't really change the fact.

Re: What did ancient languages sound like?

#153

Post by fooker » Fri, Jul 09, 2021, 7:16 AM UTC

KhoomeiK wrote: post #53

gpraghu wrote: post #33

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In classical recitation, with ghanapatha and other techniques, I would expect that pronunciation is strict, meters are accounted for, and things have remained relatively unchanged in the way the Vedas and Upanishads are recited. Unfortunately, there is little exposure of the rigorous training in the Western world.

I've listened to rgveda samhita patha of what I believe is the shakala shakha which is predominant in north india but even they seem to mispronounce the vocalic "r" as "ri".

It's more of a Pali/Prakrit influence than a mispronunciation.

Re: What did ancient languages sound like?

#154

Post by fooker » Fri, Jul 09, 2021, 7:17 AM UTC

prox wrote: post #117

hawk_ wrote: post #69

Earlier quoted context omitted.

there are no recordings from panini's times and panini's texts pertain to grammar. they don't prescribe pronunciation - like precise position of tongue lips etc...

That’s actually the first thing you learn and it’s quite rigorous where to vocalize and how.

Yeah, and it differs based on where you're from!