________________
38
A STUDY OF THE GUJARATI LANGUAGE
5-81. It may be noticed that the major analogical changes during the last three centuries (during and afte- the Middle Gujarati period) start from the Central and Northern Gujarat, i. e. mainly the region between Ahemdabad and Pāțaņ, and spread to Saurashtra and Southern Gujarat. NW and Western Saurashtra dialects may have separated earlier ( with a six vowel system
and present indicative 1st pl. with pl. -o are still more restricted to the northern mainland. This suggests that modern standard Gujarati is based on the dialect of this region. This is also supported by the political history of Gujarat, that, during the last five hundred years this region has dominated over the rest of the Gujarati speaking area..
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
