On Fri, 2012-03-30 at 10:25 +0530, Runa Bhattacharjee wrote:
> On শুক্রবার 30 মার্চ 2012 08:50 , Swarup wrote:
> > On Thu, 2012-03-29 at 14:31 +0530, Runa Bhattacharjee wrote:
> >> On বৃহস্পতিবার 29 মার্চ 2012 08:04 , Swarup wrote:
> >>
> >>>
> >>> 2. The classical Bengali script has no letter for "va" (व). It has only
> >>> "ba" (ब). But those who write Sanskrit shlokas using the Bengali script
> >>> need a character for "va", and for that a convention has been adopted
> >>> that the Bengali letter for "ba" ("ব" ) will be used for the sound "va".
> >>> And for "ba", the character is slightly changed i.e. with a line through
> >>> the bottom portion (पेट कटा हुआ), resulting in "ৰ" , just as is done in
> >>> devanagari.
> >>>
> >>
> >> Would you be able to point me to any document or link for this convention?
> >
> > Runa Didi, I deeply appreciate your keen interest in Bangla, and your
> > questions reflect this interest. I am attaching here an excerpt from a book
> > explaining the importance of maintaining the distinction between 'ব'' and
> > 'ৰ'; in the following mail I shall attach two files showing the relevant
> > part of the Bangla varnamala with 'ব'' and 'ৰ'.
> >
> > By reading the excerpted section, the reason for distinguishing in written
> > form between the two letters 'ৰ' and 'ব ' will I think become clear. If
> > anyone has any further question, feel free to write and I will be happy to
> > discuss more. My thanks to all those who take interest in this vital
> > subject.
> >
>
> What book is this part of? Besides saying the same thing that you have been
> saying so far, none of those scanned images provide a citation of any
> "legitimacy". Has this "change" (that'll impact the manual and digital writing
> form of the language in epic proportions) been approved by the Paschim Banga
> Bangla Akademy or any other Authority for the Bangla language?
युक्तियुक्तमुपादेयं वचनं बालकादपि |
अन्यं तृणमिव त्याज्यमप्युक्तं पद्मजन्मना ||
In this shloka it is expressed that if a rational, logical idea is
presented by even a small child it should be embraced and accepted. And
if an unworthy, illogical statement is made by even Brahma, that should
be discarded like dry grass.
This shloka gives a very important concept for moving ahead, making
progress in the world. Although it is a Sanskrit shloka, but on this
point it is supporting the approach of the West. That is to say, when a
new idea comes, the Western approach is to embrace it no matter who has
given the idea-- no matter whether the person carries great prestige and
authority in the society or whether he/she carries none at all. People
will discuss and evaluate on the merits of the idea, and not on the
credentials of the person who has given it.
It is because of this open-minded approach that the Western nations in
the last hundred years became so scientifically advanced so quickly,
compared to India. In Indian and Chinese society it is very important
who said something, often more important than what it is said. Who said
something, is a critical determinant of whether an idea will be accepted
or not. Whereas in the West, a good idea is embraced even if it is given
by a simple youth.
Yes, in spirituality the Indian approach is highly appreciable: seniors
have more experience and so their views should be given more weight on
this ground. But in science, this approach only serves to slow down
progress and sometimes stop it altogether. Because of this, in India new
ideas are very very slow to take root. Here in India there is no dearth
of brilliant students, scientists, and thinkers. But due to lack of
appreciation in the society, they often end up going out to other
countries to do their work. This is because in India people are more
concerned with who has given an idea, than with the idea itself. The
credibility of an idea is decided principally on the name of its
propagator.
Indeed the messenger of the new idea is often ostracized and
disrespected. For example, the great poet Rabindranath, only when he
became recognized by the Europeans did he become appreciated in India.
Before that time he was only regarded with scorn, abuse, and negative
glances-- because he was doing something new. Once he received the nobel
prize in Europe, then in India society's view toward him changed
dramatically to awe, love, and respect.
So here with the current subject of Bengali script, we should use our
minds to evaluate the logic of a new idea, rather than looking to the
authorities whose views may or may not represent what is most beneficial
for the language.
There is no doubt that particularly non-native speakers of Bengali
within and without India have a very difficult time knowing which
letters are meant as "va" and which as "ba"-- because the two sounds are
represented by the very same glyph. Bengali being one of the
very richest languages in India, with a tremendously abundant
literature, is sought after and read by people all over the world. This
international readership has increased dramatically in recent times, and
is still increasing today. Such an international interest underscores
the great need for separate letters for 'va' and 'ba' in order to
achieve clarity of expression.
That is why one modern-day philosopher has given the new idea that there
should be a clear difference between the glyph for "ব" and that for "ৰ".
Historically, Sanskrit does not have its own script. It has long been
written in Grantha lipi in the south; in Nagarii lipi in Gujarat; in
Devanagarii in the North, and in Shriiharsa lipi in Bengal. When the
British wanted to standardize written Sanskrit, they chose Devanagarii--
but that is not the language's original script. Thousands of years ago,
before the existence of these modern scripts, Sanskrit was written in
Brahmii and Kharostii-- two scripts which are now no longer in use.
Given the towering importance of Bengalii in the world today, Sanskrit
in many places is written in Shriiharsa lipi. To respond to the needs of
non-native speakers of Bengali both inside and outside India, as well as
to the needs of children and youth in Bengal learning Sanskrit, making
use of a different glyph for the vargiiya 'ba' and the antastha 'va', is
of critical value in making the written expression clear for all to
understand.
So now it is my humble request that we may come back to the original
request put before this list yesterday, as to how to create
"ba" (ৰ)-halant.
Best Regards,
Swarup
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