Tolkaappiyam Tolkaappiyam (தொல்காப்பியம் in Tamil) is a book on the grammar of the Tamil language. Tolkaappiyam which was published in about the 6th century BC by Tolkaappiyar, is said to be the world's oldest surviving grammar for any language. Tolkaappiyam classifies the Tamil language into "senthamil" and "kotunthamil". The former refers to the classical Tamil used exclusively in literary works and the latter refers to the colloquial Tamil, spoken by the people. The book is based on the analysis of both spoken and written Tamil. Scientific treatment to Natural Language Grammar Excerpt from Tolkaappiyam showing the style of narration The classification of the alphabet into consonants and vowels by splitting the conso-vowels was a scientific breakthrough. Grammatising this phenomenon was also an achievement of that time. Tolkaappiyam starts by defining the alphabet for optimal writing, grammatises the use of words and syntaxes and moves into higher modes of language analysis. The style and structure of narration of these rules is similar to that of the Backus-Naur form, which was formalised only as recently as 1963. Tolkaappiyam formulated thirty characters and three diacritic like symbols for Tamil. The 12 vowels combine with the 18 consonants bringing the total tally of alphabets to $247\; (12\; +18\; +\; (2\; x\; 18)\; +\; 1\; =\; 247)$. The alphabet has evolved since then. For a detailed treatment of the alphabet see Tamil alphabet. Though the alphabet has evolved largely, the language as such has remained mostly in tact earning the sobriquet, kannith thamil meaning ever young Tamil. Chapters Tolkaappiyam is organised into the following three chapters each of which is sub divided into 9 sections. 1. Ezhuththathikaaram 2. Sollathikaaram 3. PoruLathikaaram Ezhuththathikaaram Ezhuththathikaaram is further subdivided into the following 9 sections. 1. Nuul Marabu 2. Mozhi Marabu 3. PiRappiyal 4. PuNaRiyal 5. Thokai Marabu 6. Urubiyal 7. Uyir Mayangial 8. PuLLi Mayangial 9. KutriyalukarappunaRiyal Nuul Marabu This section enumerates the alphabets of the language, organises them into consonants, vowels and diacritic symbols. The vowels are sub classified into short and long vowels based on duration of pronunciation. Similarly, the consonants are sub classified into three categories based on the stress. Mozhi Marabu This section defines rules which specify where in a word can a letter not occur and which letter can not come after a particular letter. It also talks about two sounds which occur when certain compound letters (consonant-vowel combo) formed with the vowels u and i come at the end of words. PiRappiyal Excerpt from Tolkaappiyam on articulatory phonetics This is a section on articulatory phonetics. It talks about pronunciation methods of Tamil alphabets at the level of diaphragm, larynx, jaws, tongue position, teeth, lips and nose. Also, the visual representation of the alphabets is explained. PuNaRiyal This section talks about the changes to words due to the following word i.e. it specifies rules that govern the transformations on the last alphabet of a word (nilaimozhi iiRu) because of the first alpabet of the following word (varumozhi muthal) when used in a sentence. Thokai Marabu Urubiyal This section talks about the word modifiers that are added at the end of nouns and pronouns when they are used as an object as opposed to when they are used as subjects. Uyir Mayangial PuLLi Mayangial KutriyalukarappunaRiyal Sollathikaaram Sollathikaaram deals with words and parts of speech. It classifies Tamil words into four categories - 1. iyar chol - Words in common usage 2. thiri chol - Words used in Tamil literature 3. vata chol - Words borrowed from Sanskrit 4. thisai chol - Words borrowed from Other Languages There are certain rules to be adhered to in borrowing words from Sanskrit. The borrowed words need to strictly conform to the Tamil phonetic system and be written in the Tamil script. The chapter Sollathikaaram is sub divided into the following 9 sections. 1. KiLaviyaakkam 2. VEtRumaiyiyal 3. VEtrumaimayangial 4. ViLimaRabu 5. Peyariyal 6. Vinaiyiyal 7. Idaiyiyal 8. Uriyiyal 9. Echchaviyal KiLaviyaakkam KiLaviyaakkam literally translates to word formation. This section deals with gender, number, person etc. VEtRumaiyiyal VEtrumaimayangial ViLimaRabu Peyariyal This section deals with nouns. Vinaiyiyal This section deals with verbs. Idaiyiyal Uriyiyal This literally translates to the nature or science of qualifiers and deals with adjectives and adverbs. Echchaviyal PoruLathikaaram Tolkaappiyam is possibly the only book on grammar that describes a grammar for life. PoruLathikaaram gives the classification of land types, and seasons and defines modes of life for each of the combinations of land types and seasons for different kinds of people. This chapter is subdivided into the following 9 sections. 1. AkaththiNaiyiyal 2. PuRaththiNaiyiyal 3. KaLaviyal 4. KaRpiyal 5. PoruLiyal 6. Meyppaattiyal 7. Uvamayiyal 8. SeyyuLiyal 9. Marabiyal AkaththiNaiyiyal This section defines the modes of personal life i.e. life of couples. PuRaththiNaiyiyal This section defines the modes of one's public life. KaLaviyal KaRpiyal PoruLiyal Meyppaattiyal Uvamayiyal The name Uvamayiyal literally translates to the nature or science of metaphors. SeyyuLiyal This interesting section deals with a grammar for classical Tamil Poetry based on principles of prosody. Marabiyal External links Tolkaappiyam Complete Tolkaappiyam PoruLatikaaram Tolkaapiyam partial list Most Popular Articles: Music    Musical Instruments    Guitar    Classical Music    History    Music Definition    Country Music    Rock Music    Pop Music    Hip Hop    Rap    DJ    Video Games    Casino Games    Poker    Blackjack    Casinos    Real Estate    Loan    Auction    eBay    Marketing    Search Engine Optimization    File Sharing    MP3    Music Industry    Kazaa    Internet    Supermodel    Fashion    Fashion Designers    Erotica    Modeling    Clothing    Boots    Shoes    Diamond Engagement Rings    Diamond    Rugs    Gospel Music    Affiliate    E-Commerce    Radio This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License at http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html You may copy and modify it as long as the entire work (including additions) remains under this license. 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