Introduction to Ardhamagadhi

Author(s): A M Ghatage
Publisher: School & College Book Stall

Page 72

S. 107.]
VOWELS
59
The two-fold development of the diphthongs is difficult to explain. While the normal change is to turn them into e, o in few cases they show optional forms of ai and au, though the usage is nof precise in this respect. Neither are the conditions under which this dissolution takes place known except that the sound is not followed by a conjunct, in most cases. The change may be due to the desire to preserve the sound-value because of its semantic value. In gārava Sk. gaurava we have a parallel development of the vocalic resonance of the sonant *or which developed in Sk. as i (giri) or u (guru) when it formed an independent syllable with a following vowel. Pāli and Pk. have garu, garuya.
107 SHORTENING OF VOWELS
(i) Long vowels are shortened before conjuncts. 312= att mango fruit; a =da red; proy= 8a poetry ; 2167= रज kingdom; मुनीन्द्र = मुणिंद great sage; तीर्थ=तित्थ holy place; qui=quor powder ; 12 = field ; 21 = Aire liberation.
The short values of ě and ő are sometimes represented by į and u which alone may be found in some words like ikkhāga I= aikşvāka ; saņicchara = śanaiścara. But writings like picchai = pecchai, khitta = khetta, miccha = meccha are due to the absence of signs for short ě and o
The same shortening is found before enclitics beginning with a geminated consonant : GRAT FT; 78 Ft; float ca ; FET FENT ; चाइ त्ति ; गिरि व्व; सव्वन्नु त्ति.
(ii) Long vowels before simple consonants are shortened when the consonant is doubled : T = fragt sport; ela = TETT ditch; ag=des oil; as = gus garment; era= may happen ; Grefrire = Fifosit should know; ara= fauis is given.
Pischel explains this change as due to the accent on the end of the word which causes the doubling of the consonant and naturally the shortening of the vowel. In any case both these changes are based upon the preservation of the syllabic value as can be seen from kavya (-u) kavva (- ) yauvana (-vu) jovvana (-uu).