Jaina Philosophy of Language

SR No.: 001601
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Sagarmal Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith
Publication Year: 2006
Total Pages: 168
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Philosophy, & Language
File Size: 10 MB

Page 51

Language and Script : (25) count languages and scripts but is not possible to determine the number of symbolic movements and their respective meanings. There may be several forms of non-alphabetical languages (anakṣarātmaka-bhāṣā) according to species of living beings and the differences in their sounds and bodily movements etc. Regarding the question, whether voice of the Tirthankara is akşarātmaka or anakṣarātmaka, there is a difference of opinion between the Śvetāmbaras and the Digambaras. Both of them nevertheless regard these voices as linguistic expressions because the different beings are able to draw meanings from them.
We arrive by the above discussion to the conclusion that the Jaina ācāryas adopt a very wide view concerning language and its various forms. They don't accept the conservative Brahmin's view that it is only Sanskrit words, and Sanskrit language, which have the capacity of conveying, right meanings. According to them languages is a wider concept which not only includes Sanskrit, Apabhramśa, Prakrit and other Indian languages but all the other languages and dialects of the world. In addition, by accepting what is called Anakşara-śruta they have made language so very wide that not only the audio and visuals but also all the symbolic meanings came into its fold. Here, it may be noted that there is a difference between the sense perception of symbols and their meanings. According to the Jainas the sense cognition of a symbol is mati-jñāna and the meaning derived from it is linguistic knowledge (śruta-jñāna). When we perceive somebody giving red signal, it is sense-cognition but when we interpret that signal as 'Stop! The track is blocked 'it is śruta or linguistic knowledge. Thus, linguistic knowledge means to express thoughts and feelings by the medium of symbols/signals and to understand the meanings of those very symbols/signals. Basic requisites of Language
The main function of language is paropadeśa i.e. to get others cognised by our expression of experience, emotions and thoughts expressed through the medium of symbols/signals. In technical terminology of Jainism, it is called 'paropadeśa'(instructing/cognising others). To fulfil this purpose, language takes help of symbol/signals. When these symbolic terms/words are made of letters, then it is called alphabetical language (akşarātmaka-bhāsā). Though Jainācāryas have accepted existence of such