> > I thougt the substitution of "f" for "b" was a uniquely mid south-Kerala > disposition (areas around Kottayam). >
Not at all. Tamizh does not have distinct characters for 'F', 'P' and 'B'. Ditto for 'C=K' and 'G'. The result is that பிக் can be read as any combination of these sets of letters. When I first drove past the Big Bazaar on Kodambakkam High Road, I did a double-take, because I was convinced that they'd put up a banner for Pig Bazaar. Modern Tamizh has a two-character combination that identifies 'F' distinctly, so 'fig' would be ஃபிக். Another bizarre outcome of similar confusion is that classical Tamizh does not have a unique character for 'H' either, and makes do with the 'C/K/G' character. Which leads to wonderfully confused pronunciations such as 'Sonia Handhi' and 'Manmogan Sing'. -- Sumant Srivathsan http://sumants.blogspot.com
