Word generation in Sanskrit

Introduction

• After discussing phonetics, we now examine Sanskrit word generation as created by Panini through his Ashtadhyayi.
• The ultimate building block of any language is the word.

Language as Assemblage of Words

• Language is an assemblage of words.
• Words are combined in various ways to communicate ideas and transact knowledge.
• Understanding word formation and generation is central to language mastery.

Sanskrit Grammar and Word Generation

• Sanskrit grammar addresses word generation in a unique way.

Example: Verbal Root 'kru' (to do)

• Let's use 'kru' (to do) as an illustrative example.

• 'Dukrn': Panini attaches indicators to the front and back of verbal roots for mathematical transformation purposes.

• In Panini's Dhatupatha (list of verbal roots), the root is represented as 'Dukrn'.

• By removing 'du' and '[FL]', we get the substantive part of the verb, 'kr'.

• 'Kru' means something to do with doing.

• Example: Karma comes from kru.

Word Derivatives of 'kru'

• Karoti: Does (present simple tense).
• Kurvan: Doing (continuous).
• Karta: Doer.
• Krtva: Having done.
• Karotu: Please do.
• Kartavyam: It must be done.
• Kartum: To do.
• Krtam: Done (past tense).

Other Verbal Roots: 'pat' (to read) and 'gam' (to go)

• We see two more verbs: 'pat' (meaning reading) and 'gam' (gacch related to going).

Similar Word Patterns

• The equivalent words for the two roots follows a similar pattern like for kru:

  • Karoti: Patathi, Gacchati
  • Kurvan: Pathan, Gacchan
  • Kartha: Pathita, Ganta
  • Krtva: Pathitva, Gatva
  • Karotu: Pathtu, Gacchatu
  • Kartavyam: Pathtavyam, Gantavyam
  • Kartum: Pathitum, Gantum
  • Krtam: Pathitam, Gatam

• If you know the process for a verb, you can apply it to approximately 2200 verbs.

Word Pattern Formation Logic

• There is a consistent logic for creating patterns of words in Sanskrit.

Base and Suffix

• "kr", "path", "gach" are called Base.
• In Sanskrit, one start with the Base.
• The basic building block in Sanskrit, you start with the Base, then add a suffix to it and then get a word, but in the process of getting the word, some more rules will be triggered

Suffix Example

• Take the verb 'kr', then add the suffix 'tu' > "karotu". The Suffix "tu" triggers karotu.

All Possibilities in Word Generation

• To make rich combination generation of words in Sanskrit Language, a few things need to be kept in mind.
• Start with a verbal root.
• Add suffixes.
• Add more suffixes, leading to a verb form and finally a complete word.

Noun Root and Suffix

• Starting with a noun root, you add suffixes.
• Some suffixes can give you masculine, and some suffixes can give you feminine.
• Start from Noun Root and add Suffix and get Noun Form.

Verb to Noun Conversion

• Add a suffix to a verb to convert it into a noun (e.g., "Do" -> "Doer").
• Convert noun to verb is also possible.

Example: Nominal Root 'Ram'

• Take Nominal Root called Ram.
• 7 x 3 = 21 suffixes are available.
• Using these, 21 different word forms can be created.
• For example adding 'su' to "Ram" gives you "Ramah".

Combine Root with Suffix with rules

• Add any of the suffixes to a nominal root to get a valid noun form.
• Rules will govern the combination.
• Take a verbal root like 'path' and add suffixes like 'tip'.

Understand the Logic

• Take a nominal root and add suffixes, resulting in valid nouns.
• Take a verbal root and add suffixes, resulting in a verb form.

The Numbers: Cases, Singular, Dual, and Plural

• 7 cases and singular, dual, and plural (3), this defines the number of suffix options.
• First, second, and third person and singular, dual, and plural (3 x 3 = 9) defines the additional types of suffix combinations.

Word Generation Logic

• The word generation is algorithmic in nature.
• Take something (the root), add something on top of it (suffixes), apply some rules, and derive the final word.
• Rule-based mechanism which will be discussed again when looking at computational elements of Ashtadhyayi.