English and Sanskrit - An Introduction
A language is considered as a method of communication for human beings and there are thousands of languages in the world. If we talk about English and Sanskrit languages, then the former is considered as a modern language whereas the latter is considered as a traditional language. They both are part of Indo - European languages. In this article, we will be covering the Sanskrit language and its relation with the English language.
What is Sanskrit Language?
Sanskrit is an ancient and Indian classical language in which the first book of the world ‘Rigveda” was composed. The term Sanskrit means ‘Refined’, ‘Sacred’, and ‘Sanctified’. Therefore, Sanskrit was not thought to be considered as a specific language of India but as a refined or sacred language.
Sanskrit is said to belong to the Indo-Aryan or Indo-Germanic language which includes Greek, Latin, and similar other languages. Willian Jones when knew about the Sanskrit language stated that the Sanskrit language is more admirable than the Greek language, more bountiful than Lalit, and more refined than either. According to him, Sanskrit is a wonderful language. It should be noted that, though Ancient and Classical Sanskrit language is still used as a medium of expression by scholars throughout India and also in some other parts of the world such as America and Germany.
The Sanskrit language comes under the modern Indian languages in the list of eight schedules of the constitution of India. According to Indian tradition, the Sanskrit language has no beginning and end. It is eternal, divine, and everlasting. Sanskrit was first used by Vedas and thereafter it has become the means of communication in other fields.
History of Sanskrit Language
The Sanskrit language was termed as Deva-Vani (Deva means God- Vani means Language) as it was believed to be introduced by the God Brahma who passed it to the Rishi (sages) living in the celestial bodies. The sages further communicated the same to the earthly disciples from it spread on Earth. The origin and development of the Sanskrit language in written form are said to be emanated from the 2nd Millennium BCE when the Rig Veda, a collection of the sacred hymnS, is assumed to have been written after being continued for centuries through oral tradition and maintenance of verbal language in the Guru-Disciple relationship.
When was Sanskrit Invented?
Sanskrit is a standardized accent of Old Indo Aryans, originated as Vedic Sanskrit as early as 1700-1200 BCE. The language was orally preserved as a part of the Vedic Chanting tradition. The Scholar Panni systematized Vedic history into classical history when he defined the Grammar, around 500 BCE.
Who Invented Sanskrit Language?
Sanskrit is one of the oldest renowned languages in the World. It is also known as the Dev Vani (the language of Goddess} as it is said that Lord Brahma introduced the Sanskrit language to the philosopher of celestial bodies. It is believed that the Sanskrit language belongs to the Indo-European language from the Indian Subcontinent.
Vedic Sanskrit and Classical Sanskrit
The Sanskrit language comes in two different forms namely Vedic and Classical. Vedic are the four sacred books in the Hindu religion. This includes Rig Veda, Yajur, Sama, and Atharva. These books consist of prayers, chants, hmm, and instructions in Sanskrit for performing religious functions. Even today, most of the followers of the Hindu religion use Sanskrit as a medium of communication while performing rituals.
The classical Sanskrit is derived from Vedic Sanskrit. Classical Sanskrit was newer and more widely used when poetry, dance, and drama were written. Classical Sanskrit, derived from the grammar of panini around 500 BC, gave rise to literary, scientific, and philosophical language as well as scriptures and literature.
The poet Kalidasa's work in “Shakuntala” marks the early form of the Sanskrit language. Later works of Sanskrit were observed in renowned epics such as The Gita and The Ramayana.
Sanskrit and English
Sanskrit is a language which is said to be one of the oldest languages of the world. On the other hand, if we talk about the English language, it is considered to be just 700 years old. There are not so many strict restrictions as well as rules with respect to usage and pronunciation in English where words can be interchanged to make sense. On the other hand, there are strict rules in Sanskrit and no interchanging of words are allowed. Sanskrit is said to have a lot of influence on a number of languages in the world. For example, Greek, Russian, Italian, French, etc. Similarly, it also has its influence on English as well. On the other hand, if we talk about English; it does not have any influence on Sanskrit language.
Sanskrit Connections To English Words
It is believed that the English language is a child of the Sanskrit language, and many of the almost used words show these ancient roots:
Ambrosia = amaruta: food of the Gods
Attack = akramana: hostile action
Door = dwar: doorway connecting two spaces
Primitive = prachin: historical
Man = manu: a male human
Nirvana = nirvana: transcendence
Serpent = sarpa: snake
Facts Based On the Sanskrit Language
Among all the languages, only the Sanskrit language has the power to speak something using the minimum amount of words.
Sanskrit is one of the most suitable and widely used languages in computers. The language is considered to be very efficient in making algorithms. According to the report issued by a NASA scientist, it is said that the USA has created the 6th and 7th generation Super Computers based on the Sanskrit language.
Before the invasion of the Arabic language, Sanskrit was regarded as the national language of the Indian Subcontinent.
Everyone speaks in the Sanskrit language in a village named Mattur, Karnataka.
Sanskrit is regarded as the best language for translation purposes.
Uttarakhand, an Indian state, considered Sanskrit as its official language.
The Sanskrit language never had any dialect. Also, in every age, the language has always remained the same.
According to researchers, learning Sanskrit improves brain functioning.
Sudharma is the only newspaper in the Sanskrit language distributed throughout the world.
Sanskrit is regarded as the mother of all languages of the world. Approximately 97% of all languages have been directly or indirectly influenced by this language.
Conclusion
Thus, in order to conclude we can say that Sanskrit is not only one of the oldest languages but also one of the vast languages as well which has its influence on other languages of the world including English. With respect to Sanskrit and English, they both are said to have some similarities but have their differences as well. English is said to be influenced by Sanskrit because a number of words of English have been taken from Sanskrit language.
FAQs on Sanskrit Language
1. What is the literal meaning of the word 'Sanskrit'?
The term 'Sanskrit' is derived from the combination of two words: 'Sanskar' (meaning 'essence of moral values') and 'Krit' (meaning 'to inculcate'). Therefore, Sanskrit translates to a language that inculcates higher moral values in an individual.
2. How and when did the Sanskrit language originate?
Sanskrit is one of the oldest Indo-European languages and originated as a standardised dialect of Old Indo-Aryan. Its earliest form, Vedic Sanskrit, is traced back to the period between 1700-1200 BCE, as found in the Rigveda, one of the most ancient texts in the world.
3. Who were the original speakers of the Sanskrit language?
According to the widely discussed Indo-Aryan migration theory, the original speakers of the language that evolved into Sanskrit arrived in the Indian subcontinent from a region north-west of the Indus Valley during the early second millennium BCE. They were the ancient Indo-Aryan peoples who composed the hymns of the Vedas.
4. Is the Sanskrit language still spoken in India today?
Yes, while not a widespread conversational language, Sanskrit is still spoken today. It is primarily used in religious ceremonies and academic circles. Furthermore, there are specific villages in India making dedicated efforts to use it as a primary language of daily communication. Some examples include:
- Mattur in Karnataka
- Jhiri in Madhya Pradesh
- Sasana in Odisha
- Ganoda in Rajasthan
5. What is the key difference between Vedic Sanskrit and Classical Sanskrit?
The primary difference lies in their timeline and grammatical structure. Vedic Sanskrit is the older, more archaic form of the language used in the sacred Vedic texts, with a richer phonology and more complex grammar. Classical Sanskrit is a later, refined, and standardised form, primarily defined by the grammar of the scholar Pāṇini around the 4th century BCE. Most of the later famous literature, drama, and philosophical texts are composed in Classical Sanskrit.
6. Why is Sanskrit often called a 'dead language', and is this description accurate?
Sanskrit is sometimes labelled a 'dead language' because it is no longer the native, first language for a large population, and its use in daily conversation is very limited. However, this description is largely considered inaccurate. The language is very much alive in several contexts:
- Liturgical Use: It is the sacred language for billions of Hindus and is used daily in prayers and ceremonies.
- Academic Use: It is studied in universities worldwide for its rich literature and philosophical depth.
- Living Influence: It is the root of many modern Indian languages and continues to be a source for new technical terms.
7. How has Sanskrit influenced modern Indian languages and English?
Sanskrit has had a profound influence on linguistics. It is the direct ancestor or a major influencer of most North Indian languages, such as Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, and Gujarati, which derive a significant portion of their vocabulary from it. It has also loaned many words to South Indian Dravidian languages. Its influence extends to English, which has borrowed several words directly from Sanskrit, including avatar, guru, karma, jungle, pundit, and yoga.
8. What are some of the most important works of literature written in Sanskrit?
Sanskrit is home to a vast and rich body of literature that is fundamental to Indian history and culture. Some of the most important works include:
- The Vedas (Rigveda, Samaveda, Yajurveda, and Atharvaveda) - the foundational scriptures of Hinduism.
- The Upanishads - core philosophical texts.
- The great epics, the Mahabharata and the Ramayana.
- The works of the playwright Kālidāsa, such as 'Abhijñānaśākuntalam'.
- The Panchatantra - a collection of ancient animal fables.
